How many total shock treatments does McMurphy undergo, and do they affect him?

How many total shock treatments does McMurphy undergo, and do they affect him?

• A. 5 treatments; They make him stronger.
• B. 3 treatments; He is unaffected.
• C. 4 treatments; He acts like they don't affect him, but Bromden sees that they do.
• D. 2 treatments; He passes out.

Answer: (C)

The main idea this question tests is how oppressive treatment methods can secretly wear down a person even when they seem to shrug them off. McMurphy endures four shock treatments. He puts on a tough, unfazed front, acting as if nothing affects him—the stance Nurse Ratched expects to break or tame him. But Chief Bromden isn’t fooled by the bravado. He notices signs that the treatments do take a toll: the displays of defiance don’t disappear, but the edge is softened, the tempo of his speech slows a bit, and the overall sense of volatility is reduced. In short, the shocks do affect him, even though he doesn’t outwardly admit it or let it erase his spirit.

The main idea this question tests is how oppressive treatment methods can secretly wear down a person even when they seem to shrug them off. McMurphy endures four shock treatments. He puts on a tough, unfazed front, acting as if nothing affects him—the stance Nurse Ratched expects to break or tame him. But Chief Bromden isn’t fooled by the bravado. He notices signs that the treatments do take a toll: the displays of defiance don’t disappear, but the edge is softened, the tempo of his speech slows a bit, and the overall sense of volatility is reduced. In short, the shocks do affect him, even though he doesn’t outwardly admit it or let it erase his spirit.