Christ-like McMurphy in Ken Keseys One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest Ess

The Christ-like McMurphy in Ken Keseys One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest Ken Kesey utilizes Jesus Christ as a constant token throughout One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest. The protagonist of the story acts as a model and leader for other characters in the book, just as Christ was for his disciples. It is countenance that such a leader would be closely associated with a powerful, and worshiped figure. Keseys use of Christ associates the ideas or theories in One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest with the bible. McMurphy, however, may seem an unlikely Christ-figure due to his violent, sexual and seemingly immoral behavior. His behavior is merely an embodiment of the reforming movements that both Jesus and McMurphy share. Keseys character, McMurphy, is portrayed as Christ-like throughout the novel to slip by the idea that McMurphy represents the same reforming leadership as Jesus did in the bible. Kesey makes a series of simple associations between the events in Jesus life and McMurph ys to initiate the assertion that the 2 mens purposes are one in the same. To begin Keseys story, McMurphy enters the novel by showering upon his admittance into the ward. This showering, demanded by the ward aides, where they take him into the shower room (15), is analogous to Jesus baptism by John the Baptist, and introduces the biblical theme in the novel. McMurphys purpose in the novel is consistent and similar to that of Jesus. He attempts to unmask truths to the patients on the ward while displaying his consecutive self through his overt behavior, regardless of the repercussions. Similarly, Jesus attempted to spread the word of God while displaying his beliefs freely despite whatever came as a result of not conforming... ...to associate such power with McMurphy. Establishing similarity between the two figures serves to demonstrate the effect McMurphy had on his disciples that mere physical description would not depict. McMurphy battled against conformity and opp ression throughout One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, and instilled religion in the patients sanity, which they were blinded from. Likewise, Christ battled against temptation and sin in the bible to instill faith in God and relieve humanity of original sin. In His death He is a sacrifice, satisfying for our sins, (Martin Luther). Works Cited The Holy Bible, New English Translation. scriptural Studies Press. Feb. 2002. Kesey, Ken. One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest. New York Penguin Group, 1996. Peterson, Susan Lynn. The Life of Martin Luther. 1999. 9 Mar. 2001 http//pweb.netcom.com/supeters/luther.htm