August 22,2010
Final Response
The book, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café, written by Fannie Flagg was a warm and endearing read. Once you start reading the book, it was very hard to put down. The characters in this book are hard not to love. The characters have the true southern hospitality and seem to be the kindest people in the world. The book was written in a way that every chapter jumps to a different period in time and often times there is a different narrator. At times, this can get confusing but if you really pay attention to what you are reading there are small details that will help you determine when the scene is taking place. Throughout the book, the jumps in times often means that we never figure out the full story as to what happened however, it is always explained later on in other chapters. Fannie Flagg had many different story lines that she created and most of them interconnected to help form another story, but she always made sure that she closed them and we knew what happened in the end. Two of the main themes of this book definitely pertained to friends and family. The Threadgoode were the most nice and generous people, if they could help you in any way they would. Often times they would give away food to any homeless people that came into the café or general store, and they risked getting caught with the law to make sure the people in Troutville got food from the trains so they could survive. They welcomed people with open arms and many of the town’s people thought as if they were a part of the Threadgoode family. Family was definitely a priority for them. The family was large with many brothers and sisters and they loved every one of the so much. As a reader, this story was very relatable and you could definitely put yourself into this story because it was so well written. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café is definitely a book I would recommend for people to read.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Reverend Scroggins
page 343/ August 22,2010
Quote #10
Quote:“After it was all over, Reverend Scroggins came over and shook Idgie’s hand. ‘I’ll see you in church Sunday, Sister Threadgoode.’ He winked at her and left. His son, Bobby, had heard about the trial and had called and told him about that time Idgie had gotten him out of jail. So Scroggins, the one she had bedeviled all these years, had come through for her. Idgie was floored by the whole thing for quiet a time. But, driving home, she did manage to say, ‘You know, I’ve been thinking. I don’t know what’s worse- going to jail or having to be nice to the preacher for the rest of my life.’”
For most of the book, Idgie and the rest of the Dill Pickle Club terrorized Reverend Scroggins. However, any other person in the community of Whistle Stop would help out in any way that they could, the Reverend did just that. The people in this community would put a side a silly joke, which has lasted many years, to help someone. The end of this quote is funny because the reader knows that Idgie appreciates what the Reverend did for her but its not in her nature to say that she is always making a joke about something and you would not expect anything different from her.
Quote #10
Quote:“After it was all over, Reverend Scroggins came over and shook Idgie’s hand. ‘I’ll see you in church Sunday, Sister Threadgoode.’ He winked at her and left. His son, Bobby, had heard about the trial and had called and told him about that time Idgie had gotten him out of jail. So Scroggins, the one she had bedeviled all these years, had come through for her. Idgie was floored by the whole thing for quiet a time. But, driving home, she did manage to say, ‘You know, I’ve been thinking. I don’t know what’s worse- going to jail or having to be nice to the preacher for the rest of my life.’”
For most of the book, Idgie and the rest of the Dill Pickle Club terrorized Reverend Scroggins. However, any other person in the community of Whistle Stop would help out in any way that they could, the Reverend did just that. The people in this community would put a side a silly joke, which has lasted many years, to help someone. The end of this quote is funny because the reader knows that Idgie appreciates what the Reverend did for her but its not in her nature to say that she is always making a joke about something and you would not expect anything different from her.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Railroad Bill
page 331/ August 21,2010
Quote #9
Quote: “‘Then, one morning, right around daybreak, I had to go to the toilet. I was about half asleep and when I got to the bathroom, there was Momma and Aunt Idgie in there, with the sink running. Momma looked at me, surprised, and said, ‘Wait a minute, honey’ and closed the door. ‘I said, ‘Hurry up, Momma, I cain’t wait!’ You know how a kid’ll do. I heard then talking and pretty soon they came out, and Aunt Idgie was drying her hands and face. When I got in there, the sink was full of coal dust. And on the floor, behind the door, was a black stocking hat. ‘I suddenly figured out why I’d seen her and old Grady Kilgore, the railroad detective, always whispering. He’d been the one who was tipping her off about the train schedules...it had been my Aunt Idgie jumping them trains, all along.’”
During most of the book, the characters were trying to figure out who had been jumping onto the trains and throwing food off the train for the people in the nearby town of Troutville. This town was predominantly African American; everyone was led to believe that Big George was stealing the food from the trains because he lived in the town. Many people were having a hard time putting food on the table because they were in the Depression. This quote allows the readers to see how thoughtful and concerned Ruth and Idgie were for others, they obviously did not have enough money to feed everyone that needed food so they helped the only way they knew how to. Idgie was raised to help others in any way that she could because that was how all of the Threadgoodes acted and Ruth was no different from the rest of them as well. Theses character would give you the shirt off their back if you asked for it. It was interesting to find out the Idgie was “Railroad Bill” because there were no clues given for the reader to suspect that it was her that was doing this.
Quote #9
Quote: “‘Then, one morning, right around daybreak, I had to go to the toilet. I was about half asleep and when I got to the bathroom, there was Momma and Aunt Idgie in there, with the sink running. Momma looked at me, surprised, and said, ‘Wait a minute, honey’ and closed the door. ‘I said, ‘Hurry up, Momma, I cain’t wait!’ You know how a kid’ll do. I heard then talking and pretty soon they came out, and Aunt Idgie was drying her hands and face. When I got in there, the sink was full of coal dust. And on the floor, behind the door, was a black stocking hat. ‘I suddenly figured out why I’d seen her and old Grady Kilgore, the railroad detective, always whispering. He’d been the one who was tipping her off about the train schedules...it had been my Aunt Idgie jumping them trains, all along.’”
During most of the book, the characters were trying to figure out who had been jumping onto the trains and throwing food off the train for the people in the nearby town of Troutville. This town was predominantly African American; everyone was led to believe that Big George was stealing the food from the trains because he lived in the town. Many people were having a hard time putting food on the table because they were in the Depression. This quote allows the readers to see how thoughtful and concerned Ruth and Idgie were for others, they obviously did not have enough money to feed everyone that needed food so they helped the only way they knew how to. Idgie was raised to help others in any way that she could because that was how all of the Threadgoodes acted and Ruth was no different from the rest of them as well. Theses character would give you the shirt off their back if you asked for it. It was interesting to find out the Idgie was “Railroad Bill” because there were no clues given for the reader to suspect that it was her that was doing this.
Stump Threadgoode
page 261/August 21,2010
Quote #8
Quote: “’Stump is out most valuable player’ said Coach Delbert Naves in an interview earlier today. ‘ His winning attitude and team spirit has made the difference. Despite his handicap, he has been able to complete 33 out of 37 attempted passes this year. He is able to take the snap from center and hug the ball to his chest, get the correct grip, and throw the ball in less then two seconds, and his speed and accuracy are outstanding.’”
I really like this quote because it shows how Stump has a handicap but he is not letting that stop him from doing whatever he sets his mind to. He has overcome his diversity and is participating in a sport that is difficult to master with his kind of handicap but he has done it successfully. This a very inspiring story because it shows that nothing can stop you from doing what you want to do as long at you set your mind to it you will succeed. I think it was good for his Aunt Idgie to be hard on him as a kid because it taught him that things were not going to be easy and he would have to work harder at simple tasks that might come easier to other people. His handicap has helped him become a better person as well.
Quote #8
Quote: “’Stump is out most valuable player’ said Coach Delbert Naves in an interview earlier today. ‘ His winning attitude and team spirit has made the difference. Despite his handicap, he has been able to complete 33 out of 37 attempted passes this year. He is able to take the snap from center and hug the ball to his chest, get the correct grip, and throw the ball in less then two seconds, and his speed and accuracy are outstanding.’”
I really like this quote because it shows how Stump has a handicap but he is not letting that stop him from doing whatever he sets his mind to. He has overcome his diversity and is participating in a sport that is difficult to master with his kind of handicap but he has done it successfully. This a very inspiring story because it shows that nothing can stop you from doing what you want to do as long at you set your mind to it you will succeed. I think it was good for his Aunt Idgie to be hard on him as a kid because it taught him that things were not going to be easy and he would have to work harder at simple tasks that might come easier to other people. His handicap has helped him become a better person as well.
Evelyn Couch- Miserbale and Depressed
page 133-134/Augut 21,2010
Quote #7
Quote: “Before, during those long endless black nights when Evelyn had been awake sweating with fear and fighting visions of death and tubes and tumors growing, she wanted to scream out for help while Ed slept beside her. But she had just lain there in that dark pit of her own personal hell until morning. Lately, to her mind off that cold gun and pulling the trigger, she would close her eyes and force herself to hear Mrs. Threadgoode’s voice and if she breathed deep and concentrated she would soon see herself in Whistle Stop. She would walk down the street and do in Opal’s beauty shop and could actually feel her hair being washed with warm water, then cool, then cooler. After a comb-out she would stop by to visit with Dot Weems at the post office and then on to the café where she could see everyone so clearly, Stump and Ruth and Idgie. She would order lunch and Wilbur Weems and Grady Kilgore would wave to her. Sipsey and Onzell would smile at her and she could hear the radio from the kitchen. Everyone would ask her how she was and the sun always shining and there would always be a tomorrow…lately she slept more and more and thought of the gun less and less…When she woke this morning, Evelyn realized that she was actually looking forward to going to the nursing home. Sitting there all these weeks listening to stories about the café and Whistle Stop had become more of a reality than her own life with Ed in Birmingham.”
Evelyn was a miserable and resentful wife before she met Mrs. Threadgoode at the Rose Terrance Nursing Home. Before their meeting, she often thought about committing suicide because she was so unhappy and depressed with the way her life was going. Mrs. Threadgoode lifted her spirits and made her see the good in her life. Evelyn finally had a friend that she could count on. This quote allows the reader to see that Evelyn has not thought about committing suicide since her friendship with Mrs. Threadgoode developed. Without Mrs. Threadgoode Evelyn would probably still miserable and unhappy with the way her life has turned out.
Quote #7
Quote: “Before, during those long endless black nights when Evelyn had been awake sweating with fear and fighting visions of death and tubes and tumors growing, she wanted to scream out for help while Ed slept beside her. But she had just lain there in that dark pit of her own personal hell until morning. Lately, to her mind off that cold gun and pulling the trigger, she would close her eyes and force herself to hear Mrs. Threadgoode’s voice and if she breathed deep and concentrated she would soon see herself in Whistle Stop. She would walk down the street and do in Opal’s beauty shop and could actually feel her hair being washed with warm water, then cool, then cooler. After a comb-out she would stop by to visit with Dot Weems at the post office and then on to the café where she could see everyone so clearly, Stump and Ruth and Idgie. She would order lunch and Wilbur Weems and Grady Kilgore would wave to her. Sipsey and Onzell would smile at her and she could hear the radio from the kitchen. Everyone would ask her how she was and the sun always shining and there would always be a tomorrow…lately she slept more and more and thought of the gun less and less…When she woke this morning, Evelyn realized that she was actually looking forward to going to the nursing home. Sitting there all these weeks listening to stories about the café and Whistle Stop had become more of a reality than her own life with Ed in Birmingham.”
Evelyn was a miserable and resentful wife before she met Mrs. Threadgoode at the Rose Terrance Nursing Home. Before their meeting, she often thought about committing suicide because she was so unhappy and depressed with the way her life was going. Mrs. Threadgoode lifted her spirits and made her see the good in her life. Evelyn finally had a friend that she could count on. This quote allows the reader to see that Evelyn has not thought about committing suicide since her friendship with Mrs. Threadgoode developed. Without Mrs. Threadgoode Evelyn would probably still miserable and unhappy with the way her life has turned out.
Mrs. Threadgoode on Growing Old
page 221-222/ August 21, 2010
Quote #6
Quote: “‘Just think, Evelyn, if you live to be as old as I am, you’ve got thirty-seven more years to go…’ Evelyn laughed. ‘What does it feel like to be eighty-six, Mrs. Threadgoode?’ ‘Well, I don’t feel any different. Like I say, it creeps up on you. One day you’re young and the next day your bosoms and your chin drops and you’re wearing a rubber girdle. But you don’t know you’re old. Course, I can tell when I look in the mirror…sometimes it nearly scares me to death. My neck looks just like old crepe paper, and I’ve got so many wrinkles and there’s nothing you can do about it. Oh, I used to have something from Avon for wrinkles, but it didn’t last but about an hour and they all came back, so I finally stopped fooling with it. I don’t even put on a face anymore, just a little lotion and eyebrow pencil, so you can tell I’ve got eyebrows… they’re white now, honey… and I’m full of liver spots.’ She looked at her hands. ‘You wonder where all those little fellows come from.’ Then she laughed ‘ I’m even too old to make a good picture. Francis wanted to snap a picture of me and Mrs. Otis, but I hid my head. Said I might break the camera.’ Evelyn asked if she ever got lonesome out there, ‘Well, yes, sometimes I do. Of course, all my people are gone… but once in a while, some of the ones from the church come to see me, but it’s just hello and goodbye. That’s just the way it is, hello and goodbye.’ ‘Sometimes I look at my picture of Cleo and little Albert and wonder what they’re up to… and dream about the old days.’ She smiled at Evelyn. ‘That’s what I’m living on now, honey, creams, dreams of what I used to do.’”
This quote makes me feel sad for Mrs. Threadgoode because none of her family is left; they have all passed away so now she is just biding her time until it is her time to join them. Although she seems lonely, her spirits always seem high and she never shows that she is sad or depressed. Mrs. Threadgoode has had such a positive affect on Evelyn and has helped her realize that you have to enjoy the time you are given to spend with the people you love and to make the most of the life you were given. The quote makes you realize that you have enjoy every moment of your life because you will soon be old and then you will look back and wish you would have appreciated it more.
Quote #6
Quote: “‘Just think, Evelyn, if you live to be as old as I am, you’ve got thirty-seven more years to go…’ Evelyn laughed. ‘What does it feel like to be eighty-six, Mrs. Threadgoode?’ ‘Well, I don’t feel any different. Like I say, it creeps up on you. One day you’re young and the next day your bosoms and your chin drops and you’re wearing a rubber girdle. But you don’t know you’re old. Course, I can tell when I look in the mirror…sometimes it nearly scares me to death. My neck looks just like old crepe paper, and I’ve got so many wrinkles and there’s nothing you can do about it. Oh, I used to have something from Avon for wrinkles, but it didn’t last but about an hour and they all came back, so I finally stopped fooling with it. I don’t even put on a face anymore, just a little lotion and eyebrow pencil, so you can tell I’ve got eyebrows… they’re white now, honey… and I’m full of liver spots.’ She looked at her hands. ‘You wonder where all those little fellows come from.’ Then she laughed ‘ I’m even too old to make a good picture. Francis wanted to snap a picture of me and Mrs. Otis, but I hid my head. Said I might break the camera.’ Evelyn asked if she ever got lonesome out there, ‘Well, yes, sometimes I do. Of course, all my people are gone… but once in a while, some of the ones from the church come to see me, but it’s just hello and goodbye. That’s just the way it is, hello and goodbye.’ ‘Sometimes I look at my picture of Cleo and little Albert and wonder what they’re up to… and dream about the old days.’ She smiled at Evelyn. ‘That’s what I’m living on now, honey, creams, dreams of what I used to do.’”
This quote makes me feel sad for Mrs. Threadgoode because none of her family is left; they have all passed away so now she is just biding her time until it is her time to join them. Although she seems lonely, her spirits always seem high and she never shows that she is sad or depressed. Mrs. Threadgoode has had such a positive affect on Evelyn and has helped her realize that you have to enjoy the time you are given to spend with the people you love and to make the most of the life you were given. The quote makes you realize that you have enjoy every moment of your life because you will soon be old and then you will look back and wish you would have appreciated it more.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Fannie Flagg Work Cited
"Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe: Author Biography." Novels for Students. Ed. Marie Rose Napierkowski. Vol. 7. Detroit: Gale, 1998. eNotes.com. January 2006. 20 August 2010. .
"About Fannie." Fannie Flagg. Random House, n.d. Web. 20 Aug 2010.
"Fannie Flagg." Fantastic Fiction. FantasticFiction, 14 Aug 2010. Web. 20 Aug 2010.
"About Fannie." Fannie Flagg. Random House, n.d. Web. 20 Aug 2010.
"Fannie Flagg." Fantastic Fiction. FantasticFiction, 14 Aug 2010. Web. 20 Aug 2010.
Fannie Flagg
August 20,2010
Author Research
Fannie Flagg was born on September 21, 1944 in Birmingham, Alabama (eNotes). Ms. Flagg’s birth name is Patricia Neal, but would later on go on to change her name to Fannie Flagg because there was already a well-known Oscar winning actor with the name Patricia Neal. Her parents are William, who was a small business owner and a projectionist, and Marion Leona (LeGore) Neal, who passed away when Fannie was a young girl (eNotes). Fannie Flagg would go on to become both a successful actor and a writer.At the age of five, Fannie Flagg began her acting career (eNotes). She wrote and acted in the three-act comedy that was titled “The Whoopee Girls” (eNotes). By the age of thirteen, she was working on theatre and writing scripts (eNotes). In 1956, Ms. Flagg hit her big break when she sold her material to be used for a revue at “Upstairs at the Downstairs” and the next week she began a ten-year association with the television series “Candid Camera” which was owned by the CBS network (eNotes).
In 1962, she attended the University of Alabama. Fannie Flagg received the Pittsburgh and Pasadena playhouse scholarship, which allowed her to continue her education (eNotes). However, she did not finish her studies at the university and instead of getting a college degree; she went to study acting at the Pittsburgh Playhouse and the Town and Gown Theatre (eNotes).
Ms. Flagg has also written, produced and acted in many popular television shows and movies. She is best known for her performance on The Dick Van Dyke Show (1971-1973) where she was casted as a regular (Fantastic Fiction). However, she also acted in The New, Original Wonder Woman (1975), and Love Boat. She starred in the films Five Easy Pieces (1970) and Grease (1978) (Fantastic Fiction). Ms. Fannie Flagg acted on Broadway in the plays Come Back to the Five and Dime Jimmy Dean Jimmy Dean (1979) and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1980) (Fantastic Fiction).
Fannie Flagg decided that she wanted to write after she went to a writers workshop that featured her favorite author, Eudora Welty (eNotes). At the workshop, she was embarrassed because she did not feel she was educated as the others that were there and she was embarrassed because of her dyslexia (eNotes). To hide from the embarrassment she wrote about a twelve-year-old girl in the short story entitled “Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man” (eNotes). She went on to win the writing contest at the workshop (eNotes).
The novel, “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café” is Ms. Flagg’s best known and was eventually made into an award winning movie (About Fannie). Not only did Fannie write the novel but she also wrote the screenplay for the movie that was made in 1991 (About Fannie). The screenplay got her an Academy Award nomination (About Fannie). Other books written by her include, Welcome to the World, Baby Girl! , Standing in the Rainbow and A Redbird Christmas (About Fannie).
Ms. Fannie Flagg has been open about two aspects of her life, one being that she is dyslexic and has struggled with it her whole life and another being that she is a lesbian. She was discouraged from writing because she had such a difficult time spelling but she kept with it and eventually went on to write numerous scripts and novels. As for her sexuality, but Ms. Flagg was outed by a friend that she was a lesbian. It is believed that the relationship between Idgie and Ruth Jamison in the book, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café, was inspired from one of Ms. Flagg’s own relationships.
Fannie Flagg in now sixty-five years old and spends her time between Alabama and California while still writing books.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Most Memorable Chapter
page 288-289/ August 19,2010
Quote #5
This chapter was, I think, is the most funny and memorable one from the entire novel. I re-read this part many times and each time it never got any less funny. This is when we finally see that spunk and personality come out of Evelyn Couch. At the beginning of the book was a very dull, boring and almost lifeless character. After Evelyn realized that she did not have to mold into the person that she thought every man wanted she became free and truly let everyone see the real person that had been hiding inside. This is when TOWANDA came out of Evelyn and she seemed like a very strong woman that would not let anyone tear her down. Evelyn at the beginning would allow people to walk all over her; she was self conscious, depressed and resentful of her husband. But after meeting Mrs. Threadgoode she broke out of this and finally showed who she truly is. Evelyn Couch seems to be a likable and intriguing character after she shows her true colors near the end of the book.
Inside the Whistle Stop Cafe
This is a picture of the inside of the Whistle Stop Cafe.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3118/2582088678_7e480ed0a0.jpg
Fried Green Tomatoes
Food is like another character in this book. Many times Mrs.Threadgoode would remember back to when she would eat at the Whistle Stop Cafe when she was a young girl. After Mrs. Threadgoode died she left the reciepe to Evelyn Couch.www.southernliving.com
My Final Thoughts On One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
August 19,2010
Final Response
The novel, One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, written by Ken Kesey was an overall interesting and unique read. The themes, motifs and symbols that were presented in this book were different from anything I had read before. The novel was very well written and one of the best books I have read in a while. The novel starts slow but gradually you get to where you cannot stop reading because you want to know what will happen next. One idea that really stuck out to me was that we should not judge people just because they have a disability. Society, in both the novel and in real life, judges others before they get to know the person. This book shows how it affects the other person and how they slowly want to hide away from others. The men were judged just because they were from the hospital and they had on the uniform. As a child, Ken Kesey and his family were very religious and this is evident as you are reading the book. There are many times when there is an object or something someone does that could link back to some of the things that were explained in the Bible. The way Kesey wrote some of the scenes seemed as if he had actually lived through them, and considering he worked in a mental hospital, he could have actually experienced everything that he wrote about. Kesey did a great job explaining some of the disturbing things that went on behind closed doors (electrotherapy shocks) without all of the gruesome details but it was explained in a way that you still what was happening. As a reader, you could put yourself into these scenes because of the detail and great explanations. One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest is definitely a book I would recommend for everyone to read.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Love and Friendship
page 92-98/ August 18,2010
Quote #4
Throughout these chapters you really get the sense of two of the predominant themes, love and friendship, that occurred. In this novel, the characters value their friendships no matter what decade they are living in. The characters would do anything they could for their friends or family and this chapter depicts this. You really start to see the friendship that is developing between Mrs. Threadgoode and Evelyn; she is generally interested in the stories that are being told and is not just sitting there because it is better than spending time with her mother-in-law. Also, Eva and Idgie’s friendship is played out as well. They became close and bonded after the most important person in both of their lives passed away (Buddy). For a couple of years they relied on each other to get through the tough times in their lives; they could relate because they both had people they love leave them. Idgie and her relationship with Ruth is on the rocks during this time but the love is still there even though they are in two different states. Love and friendship are two of the most important ingredients that have made this novel so great and memorable even after all of these years.
Ken Kesey Work Cited
"Ken Kesey." Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2010. Advameg Inc.. June 27, 2010 www.notablebiographies.com/supp/Supplement-Ka-M/Kesey-Ken.html.
GradeSaver. *Biography of Ken Kesey List of Works, Study Guides & Essays*. GradeSaver, 18 August 2010 Web. 18 August 2010.
Kesey, Ken. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. New York, NY: Signet, 1962. page 1. Print.
GradeSaver. *Biography of Ken Kesey List of Works, Study Guides & Essays*. GradeSaver, 18 August 2010 Web. 18 August 2010.
Kesey, Ken. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. New York, NY: Signet, 1962. page 1. Print.
Ken Kesey
August 18,2010
Author Research
Ken Kesey, an American author, is considered one of the most controversial people of his time. He is a cultural figure, and some have him the link between the Beat Generation of the 1950s and the hippie generation of the 1960s.
Born on September 17, 1935 to his parents Fred A. and Geneve Kesey. Ken Elton Kesey was born in La Junta, Colorado; however, he was raised in Springfield, Oregon (Encyclopedia). As a child, he was very well rounded and active in both athletic and theatrical activities (Encyclopedia). With all-American dreams, no one would have guessed the places life would take him as an older man. The Kesey family was Baptist and had great respect for the Bible, which lasted well into Ken’s adult life (Encyclopedia). In high school, he continued to be involved in many activities. His graduating class voted him most likely to succeed (GradeSaver).
Ken Kesey went to the University of Oregon after high school, where he studied speech and communications (Encyclopedia). During the summer, Kesey went to Hollywood but found little success (Encyclopedia). Like high school, Ken was a very involved student at the university. He participated in sports, such as wrestling, and he wrote many scripts for the drama department (Encyclopedia). With his passion for sports, this would help lead to the writing of his first novel. Ken Kesey was awarded two thespian awards and earned the Fred Lowe Scholarship for wrestling (Encyclopedia). While still attending the university, Kesey married Faye Haxby (GradeSaver). Ken Kesey graduated and received his bachelor’s degree in 1957 (Encyclopedia).
Ken Kesey returned home for a year to work in the dairy business. After a year, he decided that he wanted to become a writer (Encyclopedia). Kesey was encouraged to apply for the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship (Encyclopedia). He was granted this scholarship, which allowed him to continue with his education at Stanford (Encyclopedia).
At Stanford, he completed his first unpublished novel about college athletics (Encyclopedia). His interest in sports carried on through most of his life so it seems fitting that his first novel pertains to this subject. In a short time, Ken Kesey began running around with the wrong crowd. He began to smoke marijuana and left his Baptist ways behind him. Ken Kesey was very interested in the beat scene, which would lead to his second novel, Zoo (Encyclopedia).
At a veteran’s hospital, Ken Kesey was paid to ingest psychedelic drugs, some of which were LSD (Kesey). He then decided to begin his own study where he would tale hallucinogens to see the effect son his body. Then at this hospital, he was later hired as a night attendant (Kesey). This is where One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest began developing for Ken Kesey. This is one of his best-known works of literature and most controversial as well.
A group the he belonged to traveled the world in a psychically painted bus. The group promoted the use of LSD and would often time hand it out at there stops (Kesey). Kesey would observe the reactions of the drug to the person (Encyclopedia). At the time, this drug was legal so they were not breaking any laws. However, Kesey eventually got in trouble with the law and was charged with the possession of marijuana (Encyclopedia).
Ken Kesey had a huge impact on American culture during his time. Along with One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Kesey wrote Kesey’s Garage Sale (1987), Demon Box (1987), Sailor Song (1992), and Last Go Round (1994) (GradeSaver).
In 1997, Kesey suffered a mild stroke. Four years later, on November 10, Ken Kesey would die of liver cancer at the age of 66 (Encyclopedia).
Born on September 17, 1935 to his parents Fred A. and Geneve Kesey. Ken Elton Kesey was born in La Junta, Colorado; however, he was raised in Springfield, Oregon (Encyclopedia). As a child, he was very well rounded and active in both athletic and theatrical activities (Encyclopedia). With all-American dreams, no one would have guessed the places life would take him as an older man. The Kesey family was Baptist and had great respect for the Bible, which lasted well into Ken’s adult life (Encyclopedia). In high school, he continued to be involved in many activities. His graduating class voted him most likely to succeed (GradeSaver).
Ken Kesey went to the University of Oregon after high school, where he studied speech and communications (Encyclopedia). During the summer, Kesey went to Hollywood but found little success (Encyclopedia). Like high school, Ken was a very involved student at the university. He participated in sports, such as wrestling, and he wrote many scripts for the drama department (Encyclopedia). With his passion for sports, this would help lead to the writing of his first novel. Ken Kesey was awarded two thespian awards and earned the Fred Lowe Scholarship for wrestling (Encyclopedia). While still attending the university, Kesey married Faye Haxby (GradeSaver). Ken Kesey graduated and received his bachelor’s degree in 1957 (Encyclopedia).
Ken Kesey returned home for a year to work in the dairy business. After a year, he decided that he wanted to become a writer (Encyclopedia). Kesey was encouraged to apply for the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship (Encyclopedia). He was granted this scholarship, which allowed him to continue with his education at Stanford (Encyclopedia).
At Stanford, he completed his first unpublished novel about college athletics (Encyclopedia). His interest in sports carried on through most of his life so it seems fitting that his first novel pertains to this subject. In a short time, Ken Kesey began running around with the wrong crowd. He began to smoke marijuana and left his Baptist ways behind him. Ken Kesey was very interested in the beat scene, which would lead to his second novel, Zoo (Encyclopedia).
At a veteran’s hospital, Ken Kesey was paid to ingest psychedelic drugs, some of which were LSD (Kesey). He then decided to begin his own study where he would tale hallucinogens to see the effect son his body. Then at this hospital, he was later hired as a night attendant (Kesey). This is where One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest began developing for Ken Kesey. This is one of his best-known works of literature and most controversial as well.
A group the he belonged to traveled the world in a psychically painted bus. The group promoted the use of LSD and would often time hand it out at there stops (Kesey). Kesey would observe the reactions of the drug to the person (Encyclopedia). At the time, this drug was legal so they were not breaking any laws. However, Kesey eventually got in trouble with the law and was charged with the possession of marijuana (Encyclopedia).
Ken Kesey had a huge impact on American culture during his time. Along with One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Kesey wrote Kesey’s Garage Sale (1987), Demon Box (1987), Sailor Song (1992), and Last Go Round (1994) (GradeSaver).
In 1997, Kesey suffered a mild stroke. Four years later, on November 10, Ken Kesey would die of liver cancer at the age of 66 (Encyclopedia).
House By Railroad Tracks
This picture reminds me of a house that Mrs. Threadgoode would have lived in back when she still lived in Whistle Stop, Alabama. She has said that she always loved trains and would stay up until the train went by her house at night. Mrs. Threadgoode loved to just sit outside of her house and watch the trains pass.http://dogs-hope.org/judithsviews/house-kona-railroad-track.jpg
Monday, August 16, 2010
Fishing Trip Scene
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q84FSPSU_u4&feature=related
I think this was a very important part of the novel. This is when the men realized that they could be someone outside of the hospital. This trip was also very good for the men to take because they had been couped up in that place for months and even years which has to help to their craziness. I think this is the scene where the men realizes that they want their independence and they wasnt to be free again. The outsiders might be afraid of them but they have no reason to afraid of the outsiders.
I think this was a very important part of the novel. This is when the men realized that they could be someone outside of the hospital. This trip was also very good for the men to take because they had been couped up in that place for months and even years which has to help to their craziness. I think this is the scene where the men realizes that they want their independence and they wasnt to be free again. The outsiders might be afraid of them but they have no reason to afraid of the outsiders.
Ending Scene Of The Movie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrQ9evXIIe4&feature=related
This is the ending scene for the movie "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest". The conclusion of this film leaves the viewer feeling happy but sad at the same time; as the reader should feel, as well, at the conclusion of the novel.
This is the ending scene for the movie "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest". The conclusion of this film leaves the viewer feeling happy but sad at the same time; as the reader should feel, as well, at the conclusion of the novel.
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest Academy Award Poster
Sunday, August 15, 2010
My Favorite Part
page 351-394/ August 15,2010
Reading Response #12
My favorite part of this book was when Evelyn Couch went to go and pick up Mrs. Threadgoode’s belongings that she left for her. After she picked the things up from Mrs. Threadgoode’s neighbor, Mrs. Jonnie Hartman, they went for a tour of Whistle Stop, Alabama. This is my favorite part of the book because this is when you truly see how one place in the world has affected the lives of many, even if they had never been there before or if that is the only home they knew. This place has a special charm that has helped to create the relationships between Idgie and Ruth, Evelyn and Mrs. Threadgoode and between all of the other Threadgoodes. The stories that Mrs. Threadgoode told to Evelyn changed her, she was pulled out of her mood. She will never forget Mrs. Threadgoode and her thrilling stories that she told. Mrs. Threadgoode was a dear friend to Evelyn and you can see it when she is taking a tour and reliving all of the stories.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
That Catfish Was So Big, We Took A Picture And It Weighed 45 Pounds
page 393/ August 14,2010
Quote #3
Quote:“Bill pointed to her sign. ‘ Didn’t know you got catfish down this far.’ ‘Sure we do, saltwater cat, but I don’t have any today.’ She looked at the little blond girl to see if she was listening. ‘Last week I caught one, but it was so big we couldn’t pull it out of the water.’ Patsy said, ‘Really?’ The old women’s blue eyes sparkled. ‘Oh, yes indeed. As a matter of fact, that catfish was so big, we took a picture of it, and the picture alone weighed forty five pounds.’ The little girl cocked her head to one side, trying to figure it out. ‘Are you sure?’ ‘Sure I’m sure. But if you don’t believe me…’ She turned around and called up to the old man in the yard, ‘Hey, Julian! Go in the house and bring me that picture of the catfish we caught last week.’ He called back lazily, ‘Cain’ do it… it’s too heavy for me to carry. Might hurt my back…’ ‘See I told you.’ Bill laughed and Marion paid for the drinks. They were about to go when Patsy pulled at her mother’s dress.”
The old woman that was telling the joke about the heavy picture of the fish was Idgie Threadgoode as an older woman in 1988. Earlier in the book, Julian and Idgie told this joke to Stump when he was a young boy. The Threadgoode family likes to have a good time and joke around especially Idgie. This quote says a lot about her personality and the kind of character she is. Idgie was always getting into trouble and having a good times. In the novel, Idgie was one of the most likeable and relatable characters. Ms. Fannie Flagg never tells you who the older woman is but you can infer that it is Idgie without having to be told. Throughout this book, all of the chapters would refer back to something that you read earlier and you would have to put all of the puzzle pieces together.
The old woman that was telling the joke about the heavy picture of the fish was Idgie Threadgoode as an older woman in 1988. Earlier in the book, Julian and Idgie told this joke to Stump when he was a young boy. The Threadgoode family likes to have a good time and joke around especially Idgie. This quote says a lot about her personality and the kind of character she is. Idgie was always getting into trouble and having a good times. In the novel, Idgie was one of the most likeable and relatable characters. Ms. Fannie Flagg never tells you who the older woman is but you can infer that it is Idgie without having to be told. Throughout this book, all of the chapters would refer back to something that you read earlier and you would have to put all of the puzzle pieces together.
Fried Green Tomatoes Score With Pictures
This video includes one of the scores from the movie with pictures to go along.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94Ommg4V8mA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94Ommg4V8mA
Music From The Movie One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest
This is music from the entire movie that was made in 1975. There are pictures from the movie to go along with the music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bkn_8jgWlvY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bkn_8jgWlvY
"I'll Remember You"
This song was played during the movie of Fried Green Tomatoes that was made in 1991. There are also clips from the movie. The song was written by Bob Dylan and preformed by Grayson Hugh.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euIAWlvpXqg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euIAWlvpXqg&feature=related
Idgie Threadgoode
page 71/ August 14,2010
Quote #2
Quote:“Oh yes, honey. When she was in high school, she gave everybody fits. Most of the time she wouldn’t even go to school, and when she did, she would only wear that ratty old pair of overalls that had belonged to Buddy. But half of the time she would be off in the woods with Julian and his friends hinting and fishing. But you know, everybody liked her. Boys and girls, colored and white alike, everybody wanted to be around Idgie. She had that big Threadgoode smile, and when she wanted to, oh, she could make you laugh! Like I said, she had Buddy’s charm… But there was something about Idgie that was like a wild animal. She wouldn’t let anybody get too close to her. When she thought that somebody liked her too much, she’d just take off in the woods. She broke hearts right and left. Sipsey said she was like that because Momma had eaten wild game when she was pregnant with Idgie, and that’s what caused her to act like a heathen! But when Ruth came to live with us, you never saw a change in anybody so fast in all your life.”
This quote is when we finally got to see the personality of Idgie Threadgoode and really understand what makes her tick as a person. Her personality was similar to all of the other Threadgoode’s; they were well liked by the community and were respected as well. They seemed to be like “model citizens” of Whistle Stop, Alabama. Idgie was very close with her brother, Buddy Threadgoode, and she changed after his death; she guarded her heart because she seemed scared to let anyone completely in to see who she is. She seemed afraid to let people to get too close to her because she was afraid that they would leave her like Buddy left. However, meeting someone that instantly stole her heart changed Idgie. If Ruth would not have came to stay at the Threadgoode house that summer, I think that Idgie would have died a lonely soul. The character of Idgie is very relatable because everyone wants to guard there heart but sometimes you just have to give a little but of it away to see where life will take you. In life, you have to take chances and I think letting Ruth in Idgie became a better and stronger person.
This quote is when we finally got to see the personality of Idgie Threadgoode and really understand what makes her tick as a person. Her personality was similar to all of the other Threadgoode’s; they were well liked by the community and were respected as well. They seemed to be like “model citizens” of Whistle Stop, Alabama. Idgie was very close with her brother, Buddy Threadgoode, and she changed after his death; she guarded her heart because she seemed scared to let anyone completely in to see who she is. She seemed afraid to let people to get too close to her because she was afraid that they would leave her like Buddy left. However, meeting someone that instantly stole her heart changed Idgie. If Ruth would not have came to stay at the Threadgoode house that summer, I think that Idgie would have died a lonely soul. The character of Idgie is very relatable because everyone wants to guard there heart but sometimes you just have to give a little but of it away to see where life will take you. In life, you have to take chances and I think letting Ruth in Idgie became a better and stronger person.
The Trial of Idgie Treadgoode and Big George Peavey
page 79/ August 14,2010
Reading Response #11
Why in the world would someone wan to bring up a murder case that is nearly a decade old and involved a person that was liked by few people. Nearly all of the people that would need to be questioned or know anything about the night of his “murder” have died. In addition, no body had been recovered so they are not even sure if Frank Bennett was truly murdered; he could have left town and for all they know he could still be alive. Many people disliked this man for his actions and the way he treated women, everyone seemed somewhat happy that he was murdered or left town. This man had had done a lot of harm to many women and finally a women had stood up to him and that threatened him. I think if Idgie would not have gone to get Ruth that she would have ended up like all of the other women that he abused and kicked to the side. This case, in my opinion, was a waste of time because truthfully, no one really cared and after all the hurtful things he had done to many women, he deserved to have the same thing happen to him.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
The Friendship Between Evelyn and Mrs.Threadgoode
page 61/ August 10,2010
Quote #1
Quote:“This morning as they drove out to the nursing home, she realized that her life had become unbearable. Every morning she would play games with herself, just to get her through the day. Like telling herself that today something wonderful was going to happen…that the next time the phone would ring, it would be good news that would change her life…or that she was going to get a surprise in the mail. But it was never anything but junk mail, a wrong number, a neighbor wanting something. The quiet hysteria and awful despair has started when she finally began to realize that nothing was ever going to change, that nobody would be coming for her to take her away. She began to feel as if she were at the bottom of a well, screaming, no one to hear. Lately, it had been an endless procession of long, black nights and gray mornings, when her sense of failure swept over her like a five-hundred-pound wave, and she was scared. But it wasn’t death that she feared. She had looked down into that black pit of death and had wanted to jump in, once too often. As a matter of fact, the thought began to appeal to her more and more.”
This quote shows how depressed and unhappy Evelyn was with her life at the start of the book. If it had not been for Mrs. Threadgoode Evelyn probably would still be in that slump. Mrs. Threadgoode has had a huge impact on Evelyn’s life and has become soft of a best friend that Evelyn has never had before. The stories that Mrs. Threadgoode shares has really helped to open Evelyn up and has helped pull Evelyn back to reality. Before Evelyn had thought about committing suicide but after becoming close to Mrs. Threadgoode she has not mentioned it since. Ever since Evelyn meet Mrs. Threadgoode her life had change for the better.
This quote shows how depressed and unhappy Evelyn was with her life at the start of the book. If it had not been for Mrs. Threadgoode Evelyn probably would still be in that slump. Mrs. Threadgoode has had a huge impact on Evelyn’s life and has become soft of a best friend that Evelyn has never had before. The stories that Mrs. Threadgoode shares has really helped to open Evelyn up and has helped pull Evelyn back to reality. Before Evelyn had thought about committing suicide but after becoming close to Mrs. Threadgoode she has not mentioned it since. Ever since Evelyn meet Mrs. Threadgoode her life had change for the better.
African American Women
page 281-311/ August 10,2010
Reading Response #10
While visiting the Martin Luther King Memorial Baptist Church one day Evelyn Couch thought, “But then, she had always admired them, their strength and compassion. She had always wondered how they could love and care for white children and nurse old white men and women with such gentleness and care. She didn’t think she could have.” This statement really stuck out for me. It is true, I do not think that I could care for the people that abuse and kill my family as the African American women did back then. It must be hard to put on a happy face when they were around them but I am sure that they knew if they did not put on this face, they would get in trouble with their “owners”. I think it takes great strength for these women to do what they did.
Is Mrs. Threadgoode ill?
page 250-280/ August 10,2010
Reading Response #9
I have began to wonder of Mrs. Threadgoode is living in the Rose Terrance Nursing Home because she ill with a disease like Alzheimers. I believe that people may tell her that she is living there until Mrs. Otis adjusts to her new surrounding but I do not think that is the truth. Mrs. Threadgoode numerous times has put her clothes on backwards however; no one has the heart to tell her. Also, Mrs. Threadgoode may tell a story about when she was younger but then goes on to say something like “I told Cleo just the other day, I’d like for us to ride the train to Memphis and back so I could see Jasper and see what he’s up to. He works on the dining car.” Cleo has passed away many years ago but sometimes talks about him as he is still alive. Mrs. Threadgoode often mistakes and forgets what time period she is living in. There have been countless times when Mrs. Threadgoode has told Evelyn that she is nearing the end of her time and spends each day as if it is her last so she will have no regrets. I believe that Mrs. Threadgoode is very ill and knows it but does not tell other people. However, she is not the type of person to just lie there and wait to die; she takes advantage of everyday that is given to her and that is very admirable.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Ms. Flaggs Style of Writing
page 219-249/ August 8,2010
Reading Response #8
I like the style the author of, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café, has written her book. Ms. Fannie Flagg has written each chapter in her book as a clip or episode. Each clip has a different setting, time period and sometimes a different point of view. This style of writing has made for a very enjoyable and unique read. With this style of writing the reader is allowed to see many different story lines that all end up connecting. There are smaller story lines that help to create the larger story lines and without one, the other would not make sense or be complete. If one story line is missing than the end product will not be the story that Ms. Fannie Flagg wanted to tell.
Food
page 188-218/ August 8,2010
Reading Response #7
In the novel, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, food seems to be another character during most of the scenes that take place at the Rose Terrance Nursing Home and the Whistle Stop Cafe. Evelyn Couch always brings Mrs. Threadgoode food, whether it be candy, tacos or fried chicken. They have bonded over the food that is brought every Sunday when Evelyn visits; Mrs. Threadgoode and Evelyn have a great interest in food. At Whistle Stop, people are constantly in the Cafe ordering the food and they say that Big George is one of the best Bar-B-Quer's in the south. The food is something that has unified all of the characters no matter what time period it is or where they are living. The Marriage of Ruth Jamison and Frank Bennett
page 157-187/ August 8,2010
Reading Response #6
I agree with Idgie going to Valdosta, Georgia to check up on Ruth to make sure she is doing okay. The relationship they had during that summer was undeniable and you could truely tell how much they loved each other. Frank Bennett, the man that Ruth married seems like an alright guys from the outside but appearances are not everything to go by. We learn that he takes advantage of women and he feels that he owns them until he is done with them and does not want or need them anymore. This man has abused and caused physical harm to other women if they do not do what he wants or threaten him in any way. Frank Bennett is a very sketchy guy because not many people in the near by town see him around all that often. I believe that Idgie going to check up on Ruth is okay especially if she feels that there is something shadey going on. Idgie watched Ruth going and coming from church for two years before she went to her home and spoke with her. This shows how much love she has for Ruth and that it will never fade or go away.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
The Treatment of African Americans
page 126-156/ August 7,2010
Reading Response #5
Momma and Poppa Threadgoode welcomed Sipsey into their home at a young age. They treated her as a human unlike others treated African Americans during this period in time when there was separate public facilities for both whites and blacks. Once the Threadgoodes had children, they raised their children to treat African Americans just like anyone else. Sipsey worked for the family for many years and also worked at the Whistle Stop Café with Ruth and Idgie. The Threadgoode’s were always helping people; they would give you the shirt off of their back if you asked for it, and this was not any different for Sipsey, Onzell or Big George and their children. When Big George and Onzell’s daughter, Naughty Bird, was ill with pneumonia she was desperate to see Miss. Fancy, the elephant at the zoo in Birmingham. She refused to eat anything until she saw the elephant and if she did not eat soon she was going to die. Idgie knew how much Big George loved her but he could not go into the zoo because it was for whites only. Idgie brought the elephant to their home and Naughty Bird ate after the elephant left. Other white at this time would not have thought twice to even talk to an African American unless they absolutely had to but the Threadgoodes see them as family and treat them just as they would anyone else which is very honorable.
Idgie and Buddy Jr.
page 92-125/ August 7,2010
Reading Response #4
Idgie Threadgoode and Buddy Jr. have a very special relationship. After Idgie’s brother, Buddy passed away as a young man she was never the same; their relationship seemed as one that could never be duplicated and was very special to the both of them. She was devastated and went through a very dark place after his death. Buddy Jr.seems to have filled some of the space in her heart that was created after her brother’s death. They have a unique relationship and thinks of him as her own son; she picks on him for things but realizes that this helps him to become a better and tougher man for it. This relationship is like the one that she had with her older brother. I think she remembers how much of an affect he had on her life that she wants to do the same with Buddy Jr.
Ruth and Idgie's Relationship
pages 61-91/ August 7,2010
Reading Reponse #3
I wonder if the relationship that has developed between Ruth Jamison and Idgie Threadgoode was inspired by a relationship of Fannie Flagg’s. I have found out through research that Ms. Flagg is openly a lesbian. This brings up the question as to whether Ruth and Idgie’s relationship will be one of the like. Their relationship comes across as more than friends. You can see that they truly love and care for each other. Ruth was supposed to marry a man when she returned home that summer, but this relationship developed and you could sense that she did not want to marry him anymore. She had to make a decision whether to stay at Whistle Stop or to go back home. She leaves to go home but at some point she comes back to be with Idgie. I hope that Ms. Flagg further explains what happens to their relationship between the time jump.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Evelyn Couch
page 31-60/ August 6,2010
Reading Response #2
Evelyn Couch seems to have the most boring and unproductive life out of all the characters in the novel so far. She sits around all day waiting for something great to happen while she downs eight candy bars. As I read, I have begun to feel sorry for her. She is letting life pass her right by and is not even stopping to appreciate any of it. The relationship she has with her two children and her husband are utterly nonexistent. Evelyn feels unsatisfied with her life and seems to have nothing to live for anymore; she has contemplated suicide and knows exactly how she would kill herself. One of the predominant themes in the novel so far is to live life to the fullest and to enjoy everyday that you are given because it goes by fast. I think Mrs. Threadgoode is going to have a positive impact on her life and will help her turn it around so that she starts to appreciate all the good things in her life that she has.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Divide and Conquer Does Not Always Work
page 57/ August 4,2010
Quote #10
Quote:“The flock gets sight of a spot of blood on some chicken and they all go to peckin’ at it, see, till they rip the chicken to shreds, blood and bones and feathers. But usually a couple of the flock gets spotted in the fracas, then it’s their turn. And a few more gets spots and gets pecked to death, and more and more. Oh, a peckin’ party can wipe out the whole flock in a matter of a few hours, buddy, I seen it. A mighty awesome sight. The only way to prevent it—with chickens—is to clip blinders on them. So’s they can’t see.”
McMurphy has compared the men and their actions during his first group meeting to a bunch of chickens pecking at each other. He is ashamed that the patients would gang up on each other, when in fact you would think that they would help each other out. They are all in the same position, where they have no choice in what happens to them during their stay at the hospital; other people make decisions for them and they have to go along with whatever they are told. The Big Nurse has used her army tactics to divide and conquer. She knows that she can say one thing and then the guys will start to fight each other, then she can just sit back and watch everything unravel. She has done this before to get secrets out of the patients. What she does is not fair to the patients and they are not smart enough to realize she does this on purpose.
McMurphy has compared the men and their actions during his first group meeting to a bunch of chickens pecking at each other. He is ashamed that the patients would gang up on each other, when in fact you would think that they would help each other out. They are all in the same position, where they have no choice in what happens to them during their stay at the hospital; other people make decisions for them and they have to go along with whatever they are told. The Big Nurse has used her army tactics to divide and conquer. She knows that she can say one thing and then the guys will start to fight each other, then she can just sit back and watch everything unravel. She has done this before to get secrets out of the patients. What she does is not fair to the patients and they are not smart enough to realize she does this on purpose.
Escaping From Reality
page 131/ August 4,2010
Quote #9
Quote:“When they first used that fog machine in the ward, one they bought from Army Surplus and hid in the vents in the new place before we moved in, I kept looking at anything that appeared out of the fog as long and hard as I could , to keep track of it, just like I used to do when they fogged the airfields in Europe. Nobody’s be blowing a horn to show the way, there was no rope to hold to, so fixing my eyes on something was the only way I kept from getting lost. Sometimes I got lost in it anyway, got in too deep, trying to hide, and every time I did, it seemed like I always turned up at that same place, at that same metal door with the row of rivets like eyes and no number, just like the room behind the door drew me to it, no matter how hard I tried to stay away, just like the current generated by the fiends in that room was conducted in a beam long the fog and pulled me back along it like a robot. I’d wander for days in the fog, scared I’d never see another thing, then there’d be that door, opening to show me the mattress padding on the other side to stop out the sounds, the men standing in a line like zombies among shiny copper wires and tubes pulsing light, and the bright scrape of arcing electricity. I’d take my place in the line and wait my turn at the table. The table shaped like a cross, with shadows of a thousand murdered men printed on it, silhouette wrists and ankles running under leather straps sweated green with use, a silhouette neck and head running up to a silver band goes across the forehead. And a technician at the controls beside the table looking up from his dials and down the line and pointing at me with a rubber glove. ‘Wait, I know that big bastard there- batter rabbit-punch him or call for some more help or something. He’s an awful case for thrashing around’”
Chief Bromden continuously mentions this state of fog that he experiences during his time at the hospital. This quote helps to explain the paranoia that Bromden constantly has through the novel. During the beginning, Bromden goes into this foggy state because he is scared of reality and wants to hide from it as much as he can. He believes that he is weak, though he is much stronger than most men at this ward are, and the fog keeps him from having to confront them. Near the end, he breaks away from this because he has realized that he can stick up for himself and there is nothing left to be scared of. Bromden has figured out how to beat the Combine at their own games and does not have to go into the fog again to escape from reality.
Chief Bromden continuously mentions this state of fog that he experiences during his time at the hospital. This quote helps to explain the paranoia that Bromden constantly has through the novel. During the beginning, Bromden goes into this foggy state because he is scared of reality and wants to hide from it as much as he can. He believes that he is weak, though he is much stronger than most men at this ward are, and the fog keeps him from having to confront them. Near the end, he breaks away from this because he has realized that he can stick up for himself and there is nothing left to be scared of. Bromden has figured out how to beat the Combine at their own games and does not have to go into the fog again to escape from reality.
He Did It For The Others
page 319/ August 4,2010
Quote #8
Quote:“He gave a cry. At the last, falling backward, his face appearing to us for a second upside down before he was smothered on the floor by a pile of white uniforms, he let himself cry out: A sound of cornered-animal fear and hate and surrender and defiance, that if you ever trailed coon or cougar or lynx is like the last sound the treed and shot and falling animal makes as the dogs get him, when he finally doesn’t care anymore about anything, but himself and his dying.”
McMurphy knew that for all of this to be over that he would have to sacrifice his life. The other men would then find the strength to leave the hospital and get on with their lives. If he would not have sacrificed his life then the other patients lives would have gone back to the way they were before he arrived at the hospital. McMurphy knew this could not happen and the other patients would be devastated. This quote shows the torture that the men got through while they stay in the hospital. They are subjected to electrotherapy shocks and are restrained to one room with a few games to play. This room is where they stay for 365 day a year and rarely ever get to experience new adventures. Some might think that this causes the patients to become even more insane. McMurphy was brave to sacrifice his life so his friends could continue and find new adventures once they began their lives outside of the ward.
McMurphy knew that for all of this to be over that he would have to sacrifice his life. The other men would then find the strength to leave the hospital and get on with their lives. If he would not have sacrificed his life then the other patients lives would have gone back to the way they were before he arrived at the hospital. McMurphy knew this could not happen and the other patients would be devastated. This quote shows the torture that the men got through while they stay in the hospital. They are subjected to electrotherapy shocks and are restrained to one room with a few games to play. This room is where they stay for 365 day a year and rarely ever get to experience new adventures. Some might think that this causes the patients to become even more insane. McMurphy was brave to sacrifice his life so his friends could continue and find new adventures once they began their lives outside of the ward.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Symbolism
page 318/ August 3,2010
Quote #7
Quote:“First Charles Cheswick and now Billy Bibbit! I hope you’re finally satisfied. Playin with human lives- gambling with human lives- as if you thought of yourself to be God!”Throughout the novel, Ken Kesey repeatedly associates Randle with the image of Christ. When he lied down on the electrotherapy table, it was shaped as a cross. The table is similar in function to the public crucifixion that occurred after rebellion took place in earlier times. Another example of these images reoccurring, happens when Bromden references to another patient, Ellis, being nailed to the wall. The men view McMurphy as a role model or some kind of god and the Big Nurse can see this and is not pleased. She thinks that if she blames McMurphy for their deaths he will believe that he truly led them to dying. Randle McMurphy repeatedly being associated with the image of Christ is one of the symbols that occur numerous times throughout the novel.
Foggy State of Mind
Through out the book Bromden experiences this state where he thinks that the rooms are being filled with fog from the fog machines the Bg Nurse had placed inside the vents at the hospital.www.dezeen.com
Poor People are Good People
page 1-30/ August 3,2010
Reading Response #1
“Cleo said Poppa’s fortune had walked right out the door on him in paper bags. But then, none of the Threadgoode’s could ever say no to anybody. Honey, they would give you the shirt off their backs, if you asked for it. And Cleo was no better. Cleo and I never did have a lot of fancy things, but the good lord provided, and we had everything we ever needed. I believe poor people are good people except the ones that are mean… and they’d be mean even if they were rich.”This excerpt from the novel, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café, is interesting because it introduces us to some of the main characters and their personalities. The Threadgoode family gives off the “southern hospitality” vibe where they believe in friends and family relationships over material items. This family seems to do always good and never discriminate against people just because of their social status. This family’s relationships seem to be interconnected with everyone in their small town. The end of this quote seems to be a motto that they were taught as children and live by each and everyday. This is honorable and it makes the characters even more likeable. This gives us, the readers, an insight as to what we will expect from these people as the story unfolds even more.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
The Battle is Over
page 322/ August 1,2010
Quote #6
Quote:“There was a cold moon at the widow, poring light into the dorm like skim milk. I sat up in bed, and my shadow fell across the body, seeming to cleave it in half between the hips and the shoulders, leaving only a black space. The swelling had gone down enough in the eyes that they were open; they stared into the full light of the moon, open and undreaming, glazed from being open so long without blinking until they smudged fuses in a fuse box. I moved to pick up the pillow, and the eyes fastened on the movement and followed me as I stood up and crossed the few feet between the beds.”
The Big Nurse may have destroyed McMurphy mentally and physically but everyone knows that has truly has won the battle they have been fighting for so long now. Bromden is just helping him finish. The Nurse will no longer be able to keep McMurphy around to use as an example of what will happen if a patient defies her rules. That is what she wanted but she loses this battle and she will not be able to do that. From here on out any new patient that come to the ward will hear about what happened when McMurphy arrived to the what, they will not be afraid of her like the other patients first were. The nurse has lost all of her power she once had. Randle knew that he would have to sacrifice his life in order for the Nurse to give it a rest and realize that the hospital is not like it used to be and will never be like that again.
The Big Nurse may have destroyed McMurphy mentally and physically but everyone knows that has truly has won the battle they have been fighting for so long now. Bromden is just helping him finish. The Nurse will no longer be able to keep McMurphy around to use as an example of what will happen if a patient defies her rules. That is what she wanted but she loses this battle and she will not be able to do that. From here on out any new patient that come to the ward will hear about what happened when McMurphy arrived to the what, they will not be afraid of her like the other patients first were. The nurse has lost all of her power she once had. Randle knew that he would have to sacrifice his life in order for the Nurse to give it a rest and realize that the hospital is not like it used to be and will never be like that again.
Strength and Independence
page 306/ August 1,2010
Quote #5
Quote:“‘I, however, have a plan,’ Harding said. He got to his feet. He said McMurphy was obviously too far gone to handle the situation himself and someone else would have to take over. As he talked he stood straighter and became more sober. He spoke in an earnest and urgent voice, and his hands shaped what he said. I was glad he was there to take over.”
This quote is very valuable in the reader understanding that McMurphy is a main reason as to why the patients have become more independent and they have learned how to be themselves, not who someone tells them to be. McMurphy helped the patients become men; they are no longer the “rabbits” that he once described them as. Although after the EST shocks McMurphy is weakened mentally, the guys still look to him as a role model. McMurphy gave the men strength to believe in themselves and they have taken that strength to help McMurphy just as he helped them in the beginning.
This quote is very valuable in the reader understanding that McMurphy is a main reason as to why the patients have become more independent and they have learned how to be themselves, not who someone tells them to be. McMurphy helped the patients become men; they are no longer the “rabbits” that he once described them as. Although after the EST shocks McMurphy is weakened mentally, the guys still look to him as a role model. McMurphy gave the men strength to believe in themselves and they have taken that strength to help McMurphy just as he helped them in the beginning.
Beating Them At Their Own Game
page 287-288/ August 1,2010
Quote #4
Quote:“I stand, stood up slowly, feeling numb between the shoulders. The white pillows on the floor of the Seclusion Room were soaked from me peeing on them while I was out. I couldn’t remember all of it yet but I rubbed my eyes with the heels of my hands and tried to clear my head. I worked at it. I’d never worked out of coming out of it before.”
This was after Bromden got the EST shocks. He is saying that he is beating the Combine. The Combine shocks the patients to numb and dull their mind and body so they end up a vegetable. When they become a vegetable, they cannot talk and are restrained to a bed. After the shocks, they want the patients to stay unconscious for many days. However, Bromden has figured out how to beat them and come out of it faster than what they expect. This is when Bromden realizes that he does not have to let other people tell him to live his life. He knows that he does not have to fear for his life now every time they send him to get the electrotherapy. He can beat them at their own game.
This was after Bromden got the EST shocks. He is saying that he is beating the Combine. The Combine shocks the patients to numb and dull their mind and body so they end up a vegetable. When they become a vegetable, they cannot talk and are restrained to a bed. After the shocks, they want the patients to stay unconscious for many days. However, Bromden has figured out how to beat them and come out of it faster than what they expect. This is when Bromden realizes that he does not have to let other people tell him to live his life. He knows that he does not have to fear for his life now every time they send him to get the electrotherapy. He can beat them at their own game.
Living In Two Different Worlds
page 240/ August 1,2010
Quote #3
Quote:“In fact, he worked so hard at pointing out the funny side of things that I was wondering a little if maybe he was blind to the other side, if maybe he wasn’t able to see what it was that parched laughter deep inside your stomach. Maybe the guys weren’t able to see it either, just feel the pressures of the different beams and frequencies coming from all the directions, working to push and bend you one way or another, feel the Combine at work-but I was able to see it.”
This is an interesting quote from the book because it talks about the two different worlds that the patients are exposed to. The first is a free and careless world with laughter. They see this world when they leave the ward and go on the fishing trip. They were not told how to act and they could just be themselves. Though they were judged, they showed everyone whom they truly were and stood up to the people who thought badly of them. The second world is where they live on a daily basis with the Big Nurse telling them who to be and how to act. This world is very structured and rigid. From then on, the patients fight with the Big Nurse so they can live in the first world; this way they will have freedom. Bromden sees exactly what the Combine is trying to do to these men, though some may not see this.
This is an interesting quote from the book because it talks about the two different worlds that the patients are exposed to. The first is a free and careless world with laughter. They see this world when they leave the ward and go on the fishing trip. They were not told how to act and they could just be themselves. Though they were judged, they showed everyone whom they truly were and stood up to the people who thought badly of them. The second world is where they live on a daily basis with the Big Nurse telling them who to be and how to act. This world is very structured and rigid. From then on, the patients fight with the Big Nurse so they can live in the first world; this way they will have freedom. Bromden sees exactly what the Combine is trying to do to these men, though some may not see this.
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
page 285/ August 1,2010
Quote #2
Quote:“Tingle, tingle, tangle toes, she’s a good fisherman, catches hen, puts ’em inna pens…wire blier, limber lock, three geese inna flock... one flew east, one flew west, one flew over the cuckoo’s nest… O-U-T spells out… goose swoops down and plucks you out.”
These are the lyrics to the song that Bromden’s grandmother used to sing to him. They help to explain why the book was titled, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. The lyric are one large metaphor that compares the geese to live in the ward. The geese represent the “higher” people in life (such as the Big Nurse or the Doctor). All the hens in this pen represent all of the people in the world. The few hens that are plucked out of this pen represent the patients. They were of the few that were chosen to be different from the rest. The goose plucked up the patients. The goose chooses the hens that flew over the cuckoo’s nest and these hens became different.
These are the lyrics to the song that Bromden’s grandmother used to sing to him. They help to explain why the book was titled, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. The lyric are one large metaphor that compares the geese to live in the ward. The geese represent the “higher” people in life (such as the Big Nurse or the Doctor). All the hens in this pen represent all of the people in the world. The few hens that are plucked out of this pen represent the patients. They were of the few that were chosen to be different from the rest. The goose plucked up the patients. The goose chooses the hens that flew over the cuckoo’s nest and these hens became different.
Friday, July 30, 2010
The Death of McMurphy
pages 311-325/ July 30,2010
Reading Response #12
By the end of the novel, the reader can see, even though McMurphy says otherwise, that his body and mind is affected from all of the electrotherapy shocks that he has received. The men can also sense this change in him as well. They tell him to leave because they know what will happen if he does not leave, they know will become of him if he does not. Since McMurphy had arrived at the hospital the patients have become men, they are not “rabbits” anymore, and were pulled out of the fog that the nurse had spread through out the ward for many years. Although McMurphy has won many of the battles with the nurse, he cannot dodge the inevitable, even though he tries. After the attack, he is given a lobotomy. This causes him to become a vegetable. Bromden dignifies McMurphy by killing him at the end. I agree with what was done here. If he would not have killed McMurphy then the nurse could have used him as an example of what could happen. This gives her the power back that she lost. All the defying of the rules that the patients did was for nothing if McMurphy would not have forfeited his life. This may seem very brave for him to do but the other men view him as some kind of a god and he knew this. The Nurse used her ultimate weapon to destroy McMurphy.
Should the Patients get in Trouble?
pages 291-310/July 30,2010
Reading Response #11
If these patients truly have mental problems then why are they getting in trouble when they were under the care of a person that works at the ward? Turkle is the one that had the marijuana and allowed the patients to have some of it. He also knew that there was alcohol and drank with the other patients. Turkle may have been tired and maybe a little delusional but I think that if the patients are really as disable as the nurse plays them out to be then why are they the ones that are always getting in trouble. Disabled people often do not know right from wrong and that is why they have people around them to tell them no. I know that what they are doing is wrong but they were not told no when they brought up the idea to Turkle. The nurse needs to be more careful with the people that she hires to work at the ward.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Electrotherapy Shock Treatment
pages 272-290/July 25, 2010
Reading Response #10
Nurse Ratched ordered the Chief to have one electrotherapy shock treatment while McMurphy was given three in one week. The Nurse continually ordered the treatments for McMurphy because she did not like that he wakes up/ recovers from them as fast as he does. Nurse Ratched is threatened that the other patients on the ward look to McMurphy as a role model. She wants the patients to follow her rules and either do what she says or be punished. Although they acted in ways that were inappropriate at the ward, I believe that for any person to be given this shock treatment is cruel and unusual punishment. After the treatment, it usually takes most patients days to recover but they never fully get back to the person that they were before the shocks. Eventually after so many of these treatments, the person is virtually numbed and physically cannot do anything. Chief Bromden described men at the beginning of the book (Ruckly) where their body and brain was so destroyed they might as well be dead. If they want to punish the patients they should keep them in rooms away from others for a while or find alternative ways that do not involve killing the patients body, brain and spirit.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Should we be skeptical of McMurphy?
pages 251-271/ July 24, 2010
Reading Response #9
If I were one of the characters in this novel, I think I would have to side with what Nurse Ratched said in their most recent afternoon meeting. Throughout the novel so far I have believed that what McMurphy had been doing for the guys has been good for them. However, I can see where Nurse Ratched could be right with some of the things that she said. McMurphy may be doing good for these guys but it is not without something positive resulting for him (i.e. money). I would be skeptical of McMurphy from here on out if I was a patient at the ward. At the beginning of the book, I thought that what he was doing was fair and not just for the kick back of money that he was receiving from all of his patients. When McMurphy allowed the guys to bet on Bromden as to whether or not he could lift the control panel was not fair when he already knew that it could be lifted. As a character in the book, I would feel let down by Randle because I expected more out of him. As he finishes out his time in the ward, I do not think that any of the characters should bet any of their money against him because it is almost guaranteed that they will lose it and there is always some kind of mischief that follows his actions.
Outsiders
pages 225-250/July 24, 2010
Reading Response #8
The day finally came when McMurphy and his crew were scheduled to leave to go on the fishing trip. However, the Big Nurse had found some trouble to give them. Even though they started off having some trouble at the beginning of their day; McMurphy and his crew were finally accompanied by the doctor. As they left the hospital, the outside people stared and talked about them because they could tell they were from the ward due to the green uniforms that they were wearing. The “outsiders”, as the Chief called them, would continually judge them the entire morning. As the group stopped to fill the car tanks up with gasoline they got mocked and were treated unfairly. The two attendants at the gas station raised the price for their gas and threatened to make them buy unnecessary items such as sunglasses. Everyone that morning recognized the men because they were still wearing their green uniforms from the hospital. The “outsiders” in this novel, were very judgmental of people that were different from themselves. In society today we also seem to be like the “outsiders”. We judge because of people’s appearance (clothing, race, etc.) and their actions. Seeing the way it affects the other person makes me realize that what all of us do needs to be reevaluated. People often can not help the way they dress and act because they do not know any different and they was the way that they were either born or raised. We judge others but we do not realize the consequences. The guys began to feel worse about themselves and they just wanted to return back to the world that they know which is being stuck in the mental hospital for the rest of their lives. They did not want to have to face the real world ever again.
"Deaf and Dumb"
pages 197-224/ July 24,2010
Reading Repsonse #7
While reading, the friendship between Chief Bromden and Randle Patrick McMurphy began to unfold. The Chief broke out of his “deaf and dumb” role and talked to McMurphy; this is the first time he had talked to anyone in many years. The Chief felt comfortable to break out of his shell with McMurphy. Bromden has led everyone to believe that he can not talk and does not want McMurphy to know that he truly can hear and talk to others. With the “deaf and dumb” role that he plays enables him to hear everyone’s secrets; while in meetings the directors discuss things that they would normally not in front of other patients because they believe that he can not hear anything that they are saying. I believe that as the novel continues on we will see this friendship develop even further. The Chief and McMurphy are very similar in the way they think and act sometimes. The Chief knows what will happen to McMurphy if he continues to act out the way that he has been. He knows this because similar consequences occurred to his father. McMurphy can learn a lot from the Chief because he knows what the Big Nurse can to do McMurphy. Bromden has been at the hospital long enough to know what will happen; he has also heard the nurse talk about McMurphy while the staff was having a meeting. I think that the Chief could help McMurphy become discharged from the ward. If this friendship is further explored in this novel I think that great thing could happen.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Cagey
pages 164-196/July 14, 2010
Reading Response #6
The author, Ken Kesey, repeatedly uses the word “cagey” throughout the book. I think that it is interesting that he frequently uses the word in different contexts, which allows the word to have different meanings. This word corresponds with the characters in the text almost being confined to the ward until it is appropriate for them to go back and live their lives in the “normal” world; almost as if they were animals caged and secluded from the outside world forever. In the book, on page 3, it says, “They don’t bother not talking out loud about their hate secrets when I’m nearby because they think I’m deaf and dumb. Everybody thinks so. I’m cagey enough to fool them that much. If my being half Indian ever helped me in any way in this dirty life, it helped me being cagey, helped me all these years”. Chief Bromden is telling us about the situation that has been created. Within this context, the word cagey has been used to describe the chief as smart or intelligent enough to make others believe that he is deaf and dumb. Throughout the book, this word appears again, but with the meaning of being quite and kept inward. I think that Ken Kesey purposefully chose this word because it could be used in many different contexts but is also relevant in the setting of this novel.
Monday, July 12, 2010
The Sky For The First Time
" I realize I still had my eyes shut. I had shut them when I put my face to the screen, like I was scared to look outside. Now I had to open them. I looked out the window and saw for the first time how the hospital was out in the country. The moon was low in the sky over the pasture-land; the face of it was scarred and scuffed where it had just torn up out of the snarl of scrub oak and madrone trees on the horizon. The stars up close to the moon were pale; they got brighter and braver the farther they got out of the circle of light ruled by the giant moon."Does Nurse Ratched Always Win?
pages 131- 163/ July 12, 2010
Reading Response #5
Nurse Ratched actions of keeping McMurphy on the ward is risk but very well thought out. She realizes that McMurphy and the other patients are testing her and that if she gives up and sends him on to the “disturbed” part of the hospital that she is admitting defeat. I wonder if the decision of keeping him there will come back and result in something even worse for her. The nurse has realized that McMurphy is trying to play her. Earlier in the book, Chief Bromden and the patients have realized that she always wins these battles, and possibly this one will be no different. Nurse Ratched keeps McMurphy on her ward because she wants him to realize that she always wins because right now he believes that he can break her. However, I believe that moving McMurphy to a different ward would be wrong would be wrong but not for the reasons why the nurse kept him there. Randle McMurphy has not done anything that would suggest that he is dangerous in anyway. Although he has acted out when he has not gotten his way, like many other patients have, the aides were able to control him and nothing too severe took place.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Conformity
The patients at the ward have no personality anymore, they had it taken away. They have become nearly lifeless and are living life as they are told."You lose yourself in the fog"
page 137/July 11, 2010
Quote #1
Quote:“I’m further off than I’ve ever been. This is what it’s like to be dead. I guess this is what it’s like to be a Vegetable; you lose yourself in the fog. You don’t move. They feed your body till it finally stops eating; then they burn it. It’s not so bad. There’s no pain. I don’t feel much of anything other than a touch of chill I figure will pass in time.”
Chief Bromden had been in this state of fog for most of the day. He barely sees anything that had been going in the ward. He experiences this most of his days while in the hospital but they do not normally last this long. Chief Bromden is hallucinating about this fog but truthfully, it may as well be true with all the rules and regulations that are enforced in the ward. The patients are numb from the loud music, which prevents conversation, and the patients virtually are not allowed to think by themselves they are told what to think most of the time. They are corrected and punished if they refuse to change their minds. The fog they are in seems like it will never end to them. This quote represents the way the characters are feeling at the beginning of the novel before Randle McMurphy comes and helps to pull the patients out of this fog.
Chief Bromden had been in this state of fog for most of the day. He barely sees anything that had been going in the ward. He experiences this most of his days while in the hospital but they do not normally last this long. Chief Bromden is hallucinating about this fog but truthfully, it may as well be true with all the rules and regulations that are enforced in the ward. The patients are numb from the loud music, which prevents conversation, and the patients virtually are not allowed to think by themselves they are told what to think most of the time. They are corrected and punished if they refuse to change their minds. The fog they are in seems like it will never end to them. This quote represents the way the characters are feeling at the beginning of the novel before Randle McMurphy comes and helps to pull the patients out of this fog.
Randle McMurphy
page 98-130/ July 11, 2010
Reading Response #4
Randle McMurphy has one of the strongest personalities of all of the characters. He knows who he is and will not change to conform into what Nurse Ratched believes is the perfect patient. McMurphy is strong willed and tries to help the others stick up for themselves. When McMurphy and the other acute patients are in the old tub room they do not believe that Randle will or is able to pick up the cement control block. With his strong will and determination, McMurphy picks up the block and proves everyone wrong. McMurphy likes to prove people wrong when they do not think that they can do something. The others have placed bets against him in challenges and they have lost. When Randle first arrived to the ward he said that part of the reason, why he had transferred there was because he likes to win and he “needed new suckers” to win against. At the facility he was before he had won the bets, so many times that he had nearly taken all of the people’s money. I have begun to admire the courageousness and will power of Randle McMurphy. The other patients can look to him to help find their inner voice. I believe that he will influence the others and they will take action and stand up for what they want and believe in.
Dreams: Real or Fake
pages 65-97/ July 11, 2010
Reading Response #3
I wonder why Chief Bromden continually experiences “fog” like instances. Is this supposed to symbolize something and if so I wonder if it will be further explained later in the book. Chief Bromden explains this occurrence two or three times. Is he truly crazy or is something really going on behind the walls of this ward? The patients could be experiencing some type of abuse. However, these patients may have a distorted perception and are making “a mountain out of a molehill”. The Chief describes his dreams as if he had actually gone through these circumstances. I wonder, does Chief Bromden’s childhood involve an abusive household? In one of these dreams, he describes the ward transforming into a slaughterhouse. The character, “Vegetable Blastic” is hung upside down and skinned in Chief Bromden’s dream. These are very weird dreams to be having. I have begun to question if the Chief is truly crazy or if these dreams are foreshadowing what will come later.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Movie Trailer
Here is the link to the trailer for the movie Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe:
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Constant Routine
pages 33-64/ July 3, 2010
Reading Response #2
As I continue on in the book, Chief Bromden discusses the daily routine that all of the patients follow. Each day they do the same thing at the same time. There is barely ever any change. The only change that the patients in the ward experience is the change in faces of the outsider people that come to visit. The outsiders view these patients as if they are animals in a showcase at a zoo. This may be very degrading or upsetting to the patients in the ward. However, some of the patients are so disabled that they might not even realize this is happening. I would feel very disgusted if I were treated like this. The constant routine in the ward makes me feel sorry for the patients and it could possibly be a reason as to why many of the patients act out at times. I know that the patients are disabled but they should be able to experience new things within reasons. The patients have no say in anything that happens. They are not allowed to ask questions about subjects such as their medications without being yelled out by their superiors.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Chief Bromden- Appearance vs. Personality/Actions
pages 1- 32/ June 27, 2010
Reading Response #1
At the beginning of the story, the author Ken Kesey, depicts the character of Chief Bromden as a shy and timid person. Chief Bromden allows three black aides to walk all over him and believe that he is deaf and dumb. He is nearly invisible to the other people at the ward. However, his appearance does not reflect his actions and personality. We go on to learn that the Chief is six feet and seven inches tall and rather large in stature. When we are reading stories, we often visualize a characters appearance to match their personality and actions. For example, when we read about a Grandmother, one often visualizes a frail and short woman who is not very friendly. With the larger- than- life stature of Chief Bromden, you would expect him to be the “bully” of the ward and for him to prey upon the three black aides not the other way around. In addition, considering the time the novel was written in (early 1960’s) and the race of the three aides I question why Kesey wrote the novel this way. This leads you to believe that Kesey was pro equality. During this time, people of the African American descent were considered less than Caucasians and were often abused by others. The image of Chief Bromden does not seem to correlate with his action at the beginning of this novel.
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