The question "Does the Spearmint lose its flavor on the bedpost overnight?" from Ken Kesey's novel "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" symbolizes the fleeting nature of desire and the impact of routine on life. The phrase encapsulates the sadness of how freshness and excitement can diminish over time, which mirrors the experiences of the characters within the mental institution and their struggles with conformity and loss of identity.

This quote reflects the larger themes of the book, including the tension between individuality and societal control. It illustrates how the characters grapple with their passions and dreams in an environment that suppresses their true selves, drawing a poignant parallel to the loss of vibrancy in everyday life. The question provokes thought about the way people's hopes and aspirations may fade when confined to monotonous routines, highlighting a universal truth about human experience.