How does McMurphy rebel against Ratched’s refusal to turn the music down, and what is Ratched’s reaction?

• A. He confronts her directly in a meeting; she loses her temper.
• B. He files a formal complaint with the administration.
• C. He escapes from the ward to protest elsewhere.
• D. He goes to Doctor Spivey and charms him; the doctor plans to raise the radio volume and move activities; Ratched restrains her temper.

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is that McMurphy challenges Nurse Ratched by manipulating the hospital’s power structure rather than simply arguing with her. He seeks out a sympathetic authority figure, Dr. Spivey, and wins him over with charm. Because Spivey is more amenable to bending the ward’s routines, he plans to raise the radio volume and shift activities, effectively loosening Ratched’s grip on the day-to-day order. Ratched’s reaction is to restrain her temper, trying to maintain control outwardly even as she feels the threat to her authority escalate. This shows McMurphy’s strategic, systemic rebellion and Ratched’s vulnerability to outside influence while she keeps her cool to avoid losing face in front of the other patients.