OFOTCN - minor characters

Question 1

Harding - explanation

Answer 1

• proof of being overpowered by matriarchy as intimidated by wife’s bosoms
• most rational in the ward, proof that people aren’t insane there

Question 2

Harding - quotes

Answer 2

• (Ratched speaking) “He had stated that his wife was extremely well endowed in the bosom and that this made him uneasy because she drew stares from men on the street.”
• “perhaps the more insane a man is, the more powerful he could become. Hitler an example. Fair makes the old brain reel, doesn’t it? ”

Question 3

Bibbit - explanation

Answer 3

• represents detrimental outcomes of emasculation and matriarchal control, already 31 but so reliant on female power
• most influenced by McMurphy

Question 4

Bibbit - quotes

Answer 4

• “I could go outside today, if I had the guts. My mother is a good friend of Miss Ratched, and I could get an AMA signed this afternoon, if I had the guts!”
• “I didn’t believe myself that he could be thirty-one years old till later when I edged up close enough to act a look at the birth date on his wristband.”
• “He opened the doctor’s desk and found some instruments and cut his throat”

Question 5

Dr Spivey - explanation

Answer 5

• unable to stand up to Ratched proves strength of matriarchal power
• McMurphy’s managing to rally him too shows strength of his charisma

Question 5

Dr Spivey - quotes

Answer 5

• “He’s a frightened, desperate, ineffectual little rabbit, totally incapable of running this ward without our Miss Ratched’s help, and he knows it. And, worse, she knows he knows it and reminds him every chance she gets.”
• “I agreed with him that it did seem a shame and was ready to drop the matter when I happened to think of the old tub room where we store the tables during the ward meeting.”

Question 6

All minor characters

Answer 6

• Harding
• Bibbit
• Spivey
• Cheswick

Question 7

Cheswick - quotes

Answer 7

• McM - “I just may have to kick that damned door down and walk to some bar downtown to see the game, just me and my buddy Cheswick.”
• “with the grate still clutched by his chubby pink and blue fingers, he was drowned.”

Question 8

Cheswick - explanation

Answer 8

• most influenced by McMurphy, took his side relentlessly, e.g. in Baseball game
• ultimately dies because McMurphy wouldn’t back him up with cigarettes, McM has more influence on the men than he originally thought