In the book One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest by Ken Kesey the use of Christ imagery is overall effective. One of the first images was the fishing trip planned by McMurphy because only twelve people went and Jesus took twelve disciples with him on a fishing trip.
Billy Bibbits turning on McMurphy near the end by admitting that he was involved in McMurphys plan was like Judas admitting he participated with Jesus. Towards the end of the story McMurphy is a martyr just like Jesus because the patients arent free until he dies. Those are a few examples of how Kesey uses Christ imagery in his book. On the fishing trip that McMurphy planned twelve patients went. Those patients were Martini, McMurphy, Bibbit, Bromden, Harding, Frederickson, Scanlon, Tadem, Sefelt, George, Gregory, and Dr. Spivey.
By sitting back and allowing the others to handle the storm on their own, McMurphy helps them prove they are worth something to themselves. Just the way Jesus taught his disciples to be self-sufficient in preparation for his own death. When Billy Bibbit was caught by Nurse Ratched with candy the prostitute he blamed McMurphy for forcing him to do that because he was scared the nurse would tell his mother. ” What worries me, Billy, she said I could hear the change in her voice-is how your mother is going to take this. (Kesey pg. 301) Duh-duh-dont t-tell, M-M-M-Miss Ratched.
Duh-duh-duh—–Billy, I have to tell. I hate to believe you would behave like this, but, really, what else can I think? I find you alone, on a mattress, with this sort of woman. No! I d-d-didnt. I was– (Kesey pg.
301) Billy this girl could not have pulled you in here forcibly. She shook her head. Understand, I would like to believe something else–for your poor mothers sake. (pg.
302) She d-did. He looked around him. And M-M-McMurphy! He did And Harding! And the-the-the rest! They t-t-teased me, called me things!(Kesey pg. 302) They m-m-made me! Please, M-Miss Ratched, they may-may-May—!(Kesey pg. 302)McMurphy is shown as a martyr like Jesus was because the patients really dont become free until he dies. Before the treatment is administered to him McMurphy climbs on the table without help and spreads his arms out to hit the shadow.
A switch snaps the clasps on his wrists, ankles, clamping him into the shadow (Kesey pg. 272) When the graphite salve is put on his temples and they tell him its a conductant he says Anointest my head with conductant. Do I get a crown of thorns? (Kesey pg. 272) They also give him a rubber hose to bit on, just as Christ was given a sponge soaked in vinegar to suck on.
As Christ saved mankind from sin and taught them to have hope in an eternal life. McMurphy saves the patients from the repressive society and teaches them to have hope in themselves. In conclusion, those were my reasons of why I think that the Christ imagery in this book is effective. Firstly, when the fishing trip was planned and McMurphy went with 12 people was the same as Jesus going with his twelve disciples. Secondly, Billy Bibbits turning on McMurphy near the end by admitting that he was part of McMurphys plan was like Judas admitting that he was involved with Jesus.
Thirdly, towards the end of the story McMurphy is a martyr just like Jesus because the patients arent free until he dies. That is how Christ imagery is effective in One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest.Words/ Pages : 583 / 24
