One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest Literary Element Essay
The novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is a good representation of a story that humans are taught to accept and hope for victory of a protagonist, whoever that protagonist may be. Patrick McMurphy was the unlikely hero in a non-hero environment. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is a novel with a common structure that is enhanced and elevated through the use of Biblical allusions. This novel is also an insane allegory of the Christ story; As the Chris figure in this story, McMurphy risks his life in order to save others.
As in the Bible with Jesus, many do not understand McMurphy and his ways of speaking and acting when he first arrives on the ward. “Whats your story, Big Chief? You look like a Sitting Bull on a sit-down strike.” Although his actions eventually bring McMurphy to a modern-day crucifixion, he was definitely not somebody who acted like Jesus. "So you see my friend, it is somewhat as you stated: man has but one truly effective weapon against the juggernaut of modern matriarchy, but it certainly is not laughter. One weapon, and with every passing year in this hip, motivationally researched society, more and more people are discovering how to render that weapon useless and conquer those who have hitherto been conquerors".
McMurphy seems to be more of a bully than a hero. Yet, he begins to change and evolve throughout the story. In the power struggle during the allegory, Nurse Ratched the Romans, or those who persecuted Christ and wanted to destroy his power over the people. As Christ and Pilate struggle, McMurphy and Nurse Ratched struggle for control as well. “The nurse was biding her time till another idea came to her that would put her on top again.”
One cannot say that McMurphy is a very “kind” person; although in fear, he manipulates the patients for his own well-being. However, he does take actions that deliver them from the “combine” and tries to liberate them. "While McMurphy laughs. Rocking farther and farther backward against the cabin
As in the Bible with Jesus, many do not understand McMurphy and his ways of speaking and acting when he first arrives on the ward. “Whats your story, Big Chief? You look like a Sitting Bull on a sit-down strike.” Although his actions eventually bring McMurphy to a modern-day crucifixion, he was definitely not somebody who acted like Jesus. "So you see my friend, it is somewhat as you stated: man has but one truly effective weapon against the juggernaut of modern matriarchy, but it certainly is not laughter. One weapon, and with every passing year in this hip, motivationally researched society, more and more people are discovering how to render that weapon useless and conquer those who have hitherto been conquerors".
McMurphy seems to be more of a bully than a hero. Yet, he begins to change and evolve throughout the story. In the power struggle during the allegory, Nurse Ratched the Romans, or those who persecuted Christ and wanted to destroy his power over the people. As Christ and Pilate struggle, McMurphy and Nurse Ratched struggle for control as well. “The nurse was biding her time till another idea came to her that would put her on top again.”
One cannot say that McMurphy is a very “kind” person; although in fear, he manipulates the patients for his own well-being. However, he does take actions that deliver them from the “combine” and tries to liberate them. "While McMurphy laughs. Rocking farther and farther backward against the cabin