McMurphys One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest

McMurphys One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest This wonder is answered through the investigation of volt specific aspects of McMurphys life in the affable hospital McMurphys arrival into the asylum, his healing miracles, the change and truth McMurphy brings, his followers, and lastly, McMurphys death. These aspects in the novel provide bring the revelations of McMurphys Christ-likeness and unlikeness, c set downr to the requirements of the research question. In each phase of McMurphys life, I assessed the extent to which Kesey repre displace McMurphy as a Christ-figure, keeping in legal opinion the intentions of the author, as swell as its effect on the Ameri evict social club in the sixties. While using this novel as a simple resource, I alike explored secondary resources like study guides, published inter scenerys, ledger articles, literary criticism and the Internet. The es govern concludes that Kesey has portrayed McMurphy as a satiric gay Christ. Kesey eases into the i dea of McMurphy as Messiah. McMurphy becomes more and more Christ-like as the plot progresses, indicated by the increasing intensity of the allusions from simple unobtrusive allusions in his arrival, to pronounced scriptural allusions to Christ in his death. While McMurphy becomes more of a Christ-figure, he withal retains the essence of his char en servementer through provide up the novel his irreverent individualality. by dint of the depicting of McMurphy as a jolly Christ, Kesey echoes his anti-establishment feelings through unwrap the novel. This influences the readers perspective, particularly the straight-laced American society of the 1960s, on issues such as conformity and individuality. Kesey encourages readers to adopt a personal sense of morality, as the views of the majority may non needs be the best. INTRODUCTIONOne Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest by stack Kesey captures the anti-establishment sen erants of America in the 1960s through the arrival of anarchist R. P. McMurphy at a mental asylum in Oregon, the Cuckoos Nest of the title. Using McMurphys battle with guard Ratched and the Combine, this classic deals with issues prevalent in its era. The supposition that Kesey shapes McMurphy later on the precedent of Jesus Christ resounds in much of the literary criticism scripted on One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest. This essay aims to ascertain the extent to which Kesey models McMurphy afterward Christ. It excessively aims to examine the effect this has on plot development and readers reactions. It volition do this by answering the question Many critics believe that McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest by Ken Kesey is deliberately portrayed as a Christ-figure. To what extent does Kesey portray McMurphy as a Christ-figure? A Christ-figure is an individual who displays certain Christ-like qualitys, and is comparable to Christ of the Bible. The character may present divine qualities such as the ability to perform miracles. He may als o bring new truths with him, and fight for justice by defying self-confidence. The Christ-figure is lots a martyr, sacrificing himself for the liberation of others. This can be seen as his ultimate act of love. In One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, McMurphy is a parallel of Jesus in some aspects. In auberge to define the extent to which Kesey wants us to see at McMurphy as a Christ-figure, this essay will delve into five distinct aspects of McMurphys life McMurphys entre into the institution, his miracle healings, the revelation of truth and changes McMurphy brings with him, McMurphys supporters and McMurphys death. The significance of McMurphys tempt into the asylum.The novel begins with McMurphys entrance into the psychiatric ward. Bromden, who narrates the story from his perspective, describes McMurphy as no middling memory access An Admission would normally be given an Admission shower, where Kesey alludes that the char boys rape the Admissions with a rectal thermometer. In 1960s America, where racial disagreement was s m atomic number 53y box at its peak, African-Americans were viewed as the dregs of society. Particularly in the South, African-Americans were give in to harsh treatment. In the 1960s, the rape of the new Admissions by the black boys emphasizes their pic and weakness. Unlike the usual Admission who submits with a weak little yes, McMurphy brassily refuses the Admission shower. His strength and assurance marks him as the odd one out. McMurphy is in full control of the smudge and is non easily pushed around. This is app bent when he tells the black boy, Get back away from me with that thermometer, Sam. non however does he com homod Sam confidently and b over-the-hillly, he also calls him by his name. In contrast, one black boy describes Bromden, who is a bodge to McMurphy, as big enough to eat apples off my head an he mine me like a baby. Bromdens timid and submissive nature highlights McMurphys assertive personality, making Mc Murphy seem larger than life despite universe physically smaller than Bromden in reality. McMurphys sanity amidst a ward of mentally ill patients makes him superior. In spite of this, McMurphy enters the ward humbly, shaking everyones hand. This humble act implies that McMurphy regards everyone as an equal, despite being a cut above the rest. At this point in the novel, it would never occur to readers that McMurphy is an archetype of Christ. Kesey makes no hint of McMurphy as a Christ-figure. McMurphys entrance into the psychiatric ward is dissimilar to Christs entrance into the world, apart from having a powerful armorial put oning, which is hardly a character trait exclusive to Christ.McMurphy is commodiously different from Christ. He is a sex crackpot convicted of having sexual relations with a child of fifteen, as well as a gambling foolwith a deck of card game showing fifty- 2 (sex) positions. The courts ruled that he was a psychopath who fights and fucks in like manner m uch. McMurphy owns boxer shorts with big white whalesresembling Melvilles Moby-Dick, which is possibly comprehend as a phallic pun, though, it can also symbolise the present and all-powerful nature of God , reinstating McMurphys character as a Christ-figure that is unabashedly sexual. However, McMurphys profanities make him an unusual Christ-figure, as he engages in the vices that Christianity teaches once morest. In The Comic Christ and the Modern Reader, Richard B. Hauck presents the impulse that The Christ-figure Metaphor Hunt is played mingled with the reader and the author, whereby readers search for clues that prove a character is an imitation of Christ. In an effort to hide the clues, the author may purposefully assign contrary character traits, creating a character with moral ambiguity. Perhaps it is this thrilling game, together with the humour American readers find in irony, which allows this classic to withstand the turn up of time. The effect of McMurphys healing miracles. A common trait of Christ-figures in lit is the ability to perform miracles. McMurphy accomplishes two healing miracles that bear slight similarity to the miracles Christ performed during his lifetime. Ellis, who was once an Acute, becomes a Chronic after being sent to the Shock Shop to undergo electroconvulsive therapy. Now hes nailed against the wall in the corresponding condition they lifted him off the control panel for the last time, in the identical shape, arms out, palms cupped, with the same horror on his grammatical case.Ellis position corresponds to the position of a crucified person. Crucifixion, practiced by ancient Romans, is a means of punishment for criminals. non only does it strip a person of his dignity and life, it also serves as a warning to society on the ramifications of crime. absorb Ratched uses Ellis as an prick to show others what they can become if they rebel. Unlike a crucified person who intermits curtly after, Ellis persistent suffer ing occurs daily. later on McMurphy tells Ellis to arise because a grown man should not be sloshin in his own water, Ellis responds by momently stepping away from his crucified position Like Christ, McMurphy alleviates others suffering. His ability to evoke a chemical reaction from Ellis demonstrates his power to release a person from the grips of evil that is embodied in book Ratched. However, McMurphy is no infallible god. He does not get away to successfully heal Ellis. It is noted that Ellis miracle is rather short-lived, as he returns to the original crucified position. If Kesey were to put Christ-like sovereignty to McMurphy at this point, it may pick out incommode readers in 1960s America. From a strict Christian perspective, it is considered blasphemous that a mere compassionate with his shortcomings should be comp atomic number 18d to Christ. Kesey gradually eases into the idea of McMurphy as a saviour, instead of blatantly shocking readers by turning a contemptuou s man into a saviour overnight. In the subsequent miracle, McMurphy prompts muted Bromden to plow, by offering him a piece of gum. Bromden opens his mouth to thank him This corresponds with Christs miracle when he caused a mute to speak by casting out a demon in spite of appearance him. In this case, it is not the demon that pr flushts Bromden from speaking. Rather, it is the fear of the Combine that suppresses his words, which McMurphy successfully manages to dissipate. While Ellis miracle does not last, Bromdens transformation is permanent. He begins to communicate increasingly with the Acutes under McMurphys influence. Relating back to Keseys own experiences, from 1960 to 1961, he volunteered for brass drug experiments at Menlo Park Hospital. After which, he became a psychiatric aide in the same ward. Having spent his time as both patient and staff, Keseys intimate knowledge of the patients circumstances reddened a deep sense of empathy for them. In his letter to Babbs titled quite a little ON THE WARD, Kesey identifies the patients by their empty eyes. This presents a poignant image instead of seeing their soul through the windows of their eyes, all Kesey sees be dilapidated organs, grinding through their organ duties, as if living in the mental institution robs patients of their essence, just like how Ellis and Bromden deteriorate from Acutes to Chronics. This hints Keseys dislike for mental institutions, and his hopes for a saviour for redemption. Another version is that these miracles are metaphors for the political situation in America in the sixties. Patients are referred to as mechanical puppetscontrolled by Nurse Ratched. The mental illnesses that she inflicts upon patients either rob them of the ability to express or confine self-expression, which Kesey reveals through the suffering Ellis and muted Bromden respectively. Ellis and Bromden represent society, and the Combine, the government. Perhaps Kesey feels that the government suppresses o nes individuality, and McMurphy is a projection of his desire to free society from the expectation to conform. The daze of the revelation of truth and changes that McMurphy brings with him. Not only do McMurphys miracles encourage self-expression, McMurphy leads by example, audaciously expressing his views that differ from society. Though McMurphy and Christ are similar in this respect, the revelations and change each brings is different. Before Christs arrival, the Pharisees had established numerous rules for what was considered rest on the Sabbath. Jesus defied the rules by healing a man on the Sabbath, revealing the Pharisees, What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable then is a man than a sheepJesus redefined rest on the Sabbath and taught them that doing good works on the Sabbath is further more essential than adhering to rituals. This is one of the many instance s where Jesus challenged the Pharisees interpretations of rules. McMurphy, likewise, questions the rules by exposing the intentions of Nurse Ratched. Contrary to Hardings angelic depiction of Nurse Ratched as a sweet, smiling, quick angel of mercy, the sibilance in sweet, smiling and mercy brings out a hissing sound, like that of the serpent in Genesis, that led to cristal and Eves downfall. From this, readers can gather that she may not be who she appears to be. Like the serpent, she capability possess evil motives. Furthermore, McMurphy likens healing(p) sessions to a peckin party, where one fearful is ripped to shreds, blood and bones and feathers. He reveals that Nurse Ratched does not surrender the patients welfare in mind. She initiates the fights by taking the jump peck where it hurts the to the highest degree, in an attempt to weaken them into compliance. Explosive words in the description of the therapeutic sessions are uttered with force, emphasizing her bestiali ty. This novel is possibly a middling to voice Keseys political dissatisfaction. In 1950s America, Eisenhower, a five-star military universal and right-wing conservative, served his confines as President. It was an era of conformity under his leadership. Kesey, however, did not conform to societal standards, exactly rebelled against conservative societal norms of his time. In a society where the typical American man had strict religious views, Keseys behavior was controversial. Through the exposure of Nurse Ratcheds wicked intentions, Kesey encourages Americans to question policies implemented by the government. Evidently, Kesey was not the only one who thought that some rules would stifle ones individuality. Anti-establishment feelings were change state rampant, with Hollywood movies like Rebels Without A Cause. Another revelation that McMurphy brings is that the patients are not the rabbits they believe to be. According to Harding, The ritual of our existence is based on th e self-coloured getting hygienicer by devouring the weak. We must learn to accept it as a law of the natural world (The rabbit) knows his place. He most for sure doesnt challenge the wolf to combat.This is similar to the messages that Christ preached about the meek get the earthand turning the other cheek when one is wronged. Similarly, the inmates behaviour is Christ-like. They believe they are not going to win by fighting, and do not visit against the Combine. However, McMurphy proves that the rabbits can overcome the wolf. He alters institutionalised policies by Nurse Ratched, regarding the consider of World Series, the use of the tub room for the Acutes, as well as cigarette rationing. The message Kesey brings is different from Christ. Kesey preaches that one must assert himself in order to save his life, contrary to biblical teachings that one must lose himself in order to save his life. During the sixties, the rabbit metaphor allowed society to view themselves as Kesey does. Having progressed from the fifties, America was going through a series of speedy changes. This decade saw the rise of the counterculture the civil rights movement, gay liberation, sexual mutation and Beat Movement. Kesey was part of the Beat contemporaries. In the context of the institution, the ones who submit to Nurse Ratched are the mentally insane rabbits. Conversely, readers perceive McMurphy, who challenges Nurse Ratcheds authority, as sane. Through this setting and Hardings metaphor, readers view the conformists of society through Keseys eyes. Kesey makes readers ponder, Is it insane to challenge rules and authority? Could it be that the mentally insane are, in fact, the ones who subject themselves without question to authorities?The likeness of Christs disciples and McMurphys followers. Besides revealing truths that instil confidence in the patients, McMurphy also empowers them when he (leads) the twelve of (them) toward the ocean, to become fishers of men- just a s Jesus did. This is a direct allusion to Jesus, who takes his twelve disciples fishing. McMurphys disciples are empowered with laughter, and manage to find humour amidst calamity. Their laughter rang out on the water in ever-widening circles, farther and farther in wave after wave after wave.This is like McMurphys laugh which spreads in rings bigger and bigger till its lapping against the walls all over the ward. The imagery of vast station that their laughter reaches emphasizes its genuineness. It is unrestricted and liberating. This is contrasted with the snickers the patients make with their fistsearlier on. Their laughter seems controlled, as if it forced within the confines of their hands, implying its falsity. Laughter is a source of sanity and strength to McMurphy, who believes that you give way to laugh at the things that hurt you just to keep the world from path you plumb crazyand that one cant really be gruelling until (he) sees a funny side to things. Laughter is a m eans of repurchase and freedom from oppression. Unlike Christs fishers of men who spread the message of salvation, McMurphys fishers of men are called to spread the redemptive power of laughter to mankind. By drawing a parallel to Christs followers, Kesey casts McMurphys followers in a favourable light. McMurphys disciples, who indulge in laughter, resemble The Merry Pranksters a group in the Beat Generation who indulged in pleasures atypical of society. Kesey promotes the message that what is deemed socially unacceptable may not necessarily be wrong. Right and wrong is not determined by the views of majority entirely rather, by the consequences of the act.McMurphy empowers his followers with boldness. To the gas station servicemen who give them condescending looks, McMurphy lies that they came from the criminal-insane ward, with Billy Bibbit who was an insane knife artist that killed deuce-ace men and so on. This causes everybody to call orders to the service-station men, just l ike (they) owned the show They stare at people at a stop light, intimidating them. It is noteworthy how antithetical to Christ, McMurphy uses immoral means, like fabrications, to empower his disciples. Perhaps it is for Kesey to cue readers that McMurphy is still a flawed human. In his attempt to humanise a saviour, Kesey relates that one does not have to be Christ or never-ending to possess the same self-sacrificial love that knows no bounds. Although McMurphy maintains his profane disposition, he becomes increasingly Christ-like not only in character, but also in the experiences they share. McMurphys uncertain moral standards are juxtaposed with his Christ-likeness, to reveal what Kesey feels are the more principal(prenominal) aspects of being a saviour. Kesey and The Merry Pranksters rebelled against authority by experimenting with hallucinogens and their sexuality. Like non-conformist McMurphy, they took to material pleasures. Due to the religious surge in post-WW2, readers of the sixties would have frowned upon the on the face of it unprincipled lives of The Merry Pranksters and McMurphy. By presenting McMurphy as a secular Christ-figure, Kesey upholds that the plus contribution one brings to society overrides the importance of strictly adhering to biblical rules. McMurphy is establishment that a morally flawed character can bring massive benefits to his community.The meaning in McMurphys death. The events leading to McMurphys death accentuate his Christ-likeness. Because McMurphy fights the aides to restrain George, Nurse Ratched sends him to be electroshocked. Electroshock treatment is likened to a crucifixion, with a cross-shaped table Before McMurphys crucifixion, he says, Anointest my head with conductant. Do I get a crown of thorns?This is comparable to Christs crown of thorns. Furthermore, a man announces I dampen my hands off this whole deal an echo of Pontius Pilates words originally he executed Christ. This foreshadows McMurphys even tual death. Before the crucifixion of Christ, Jesus had his work Supper with his disciples. The traitor Judas Iscariot was amongst them. McMurphys Last Supper at the asylum is celebrated with alcohol and his hiring of two whores, one of whom Bibbit loses his virginity to in the Seclusion Room Following Nurse Ratcheds breakthrough and threats of telling his mother, Bibbit identifies McMurphy as the mastermind behind this. He then commits self-annihilation by (cutting) his throat, unable to handle the guilt. A parallel can be drawn to Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus and then hung himself out of remorseMcMurphy, upset about Nurse Ratcheds strong influence over Bibbit, smashes through the glaze and rips her uniform down the front, exposing her breasts In doing so, McMurphy brings his final revelation of the truth that Nurse Ratched is merely human, changing the patients mechanical perception of her forever. From then on, she couldnt rule with her old power, as she could no longer conceal the fact that she was a womanMcMurphy pays for this with his mind the very thing that defines his life. Nurse Ratched sends him for a leukotomy that leaves him a Vegetable. Bromden refers to him as it, knowing McMurphy is already dead inside, and mashed the pillow into the face to find that the expression hadnt changed from the blank, dead-end look the least bit. The term mash connotes violence in the merciful act of killing McMurphy. The puzzle of mercy killing is redolent of the Roman centurion who drove a ray of light through Christs side, relieving his suffering by quickening his death. McMurphy dies as a crucified person would by suffocation. He could have undertaken his plan to escape and live, but chose to die for the inmates sake. Likewise, Christ died on the cross to save mankind. The 1960s society would have a thorough comprehension of the torture endured by Christ, a first harmonic concept of Christianity. A Christ-like death for McMurphy effectively evokes sympathy in readers. Hence, it is probably that the readers respect for McMurphy, who sacrifices his very being, far outweigh their feelings of disapproval regarding McMurphys profane antics. barely as Christ resurrected from death, McMurphy resurrects in his disciples. They become more assured, and are no more rabbits as Harding says. As a result of his death, everything was changing nearly everyone either signed out or transferred out and the new nurse gave the guys a chance to change a lot of the ward insuranceOf all his disciples, McMurphy is kept most alive in Chief Bromden. McMurphy transfers his powers to Bromden, who becomes stronger as McMurphy becomes weaker. Previously, the plot is seen through Bromdens unclear fogginess, which gradually disappears towards the end as he gains clarity of mind. The schizophrenic is even able to distinguish between delusions and reality, when he says There was little brown birds occasionally on the fence when a puff of leaves would hit th e fence the birds would fly off with the wind. It looked at first like the leaves were hitting the fence and turning into birds and flying away.At the end, he courageously confronts the unhappy past that caused his insanity, by looking around the defile, just to bring some of it clear in (his) mind again, rather than hide behind fog and muteness like he had done before. Narrating the story from Bromdens perspective allows readers to observe his transformation. In Robert Faggens interview with Kesey during one of his visits to Keseys Oregon farm in 1992 and 1993, Kesey recounted an event he witnessed In order to stop the dam project in Portland, an Indian ran into an oncoming hand truck that carried the materials the government would use to build the dam. The Indian, who did everything he could to protect his land, prompted Kesey to realise the notion of what you have to pay for a lifestyle Keseys message resounds throughout the novel, even more so after McMurphys death. Freedom com es at a cost, but its benefit is far-reaching. CONCLUSION The novel is replete with allusions of McMurphy to Christ. Despite McMurphys distinctive presence being evident in the beginning, there is no hint of his Christ-likeness at that point. On hindsight, Christ came blamelessly and without sin as a baby, to a world full of sinners. In this respect, he was superior to society nevertheless he entered this world humbly in a manger. While it is no rarity for humans to possess either an air of superiority or humility, it is uncommon for one to be both superior and humble. It is fair to say that the characteristics of McMurphy are somewhat reminiscent of Christ. While the first miracle that McMurphy performs on Ellis lasts only for a moment, the subsequent miracle sparks a transformation in Bromden. Further on, McMurphy begins to bear a greater resemblance to not only Christs character, but also to specific experiences he brings truth and change to his community, and takes his followe rs on a fishing trip. McMurphys death is another allusion. After McMurphy finishes his Last Supper, one disciple betrays him. This leads to his crucifixion, mental death through lobotomy and finally his physical destruction with his resurrection portrayed through Chief Bromden. The series of inconspicuous allusions intensify as the plot develops. However, while McMurphy learns to be more Christ-like, he is different from Christ. Kesey shapes McMurphy as a crude and profane individual, making him a satirical Comic Christ. Kesey uses McMurphys journey to Christ-likeness to address significant issues such as conformity and individuality, the reign of good over evil, freedom from oppression. These are recurring themes in most of Keseys works, namely Zoo and Sometimes A Great Notion. McMurphy, as a Christ-figure, brings this novel to a whole new level of sacrosanctity, which is apt, considering it holds these themes that are substantial to Kesey. Uneven forces will always exist in th is world, good and evil, the strong and the weak, the dominant and the meek. As such, these issues remain relevant in modern times. The interpretation of this novel has been largely dependent on my perception of who Christ is. Kesey, who held stake in psychic phenomena, use of the I-Ching, Eastern religions and the Bible, may not have had the same idea of Christ as others when writing the novel but as with all literary works, interpretation is open to its readers. Given the vast number of religions and cultures, each individual has differing perspectives on Christs character. Whether he adheres to Christianity, Judaism, Atheism or any other religion, new syntheses can be created regarding these key themes. After all, as Kesey teaches us, each man is entitled to a mind of his own.