Today, it is extremely rare for a person to sacrifice his life for the liberty of others. Ken Kesey's profound novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest likens the character McMurphy with Jesus Christ by sneaking in small resemblances which are easily undetected as a result of subtlety. However, through careful analysis, one is able to find numerous characteristics of Jesus Christ in McMurphy. Kesey reveals that society, the "Combine," will continue to exist and dominate its inhabitants until a person like McMurphy will arise and free people from conformity and allow individuality to be expressed. McMurphy acts as Jesus Christ by accepting all people, obtaining twelve loyal followers in the ward and ultimately sacrificing his life of the liberty of the patients in the hospital.
             Jesus Christ is known for his acceptance of all people, regardless of their background. Indeed, he often associated with tax collectors, prostitutes and Samaritans-the outcasts of society when he existed. In the Bible, it is written, "Do not judge, and you will not be judged" (Luke 6:37). Likewise, McMurphy looks beyond the psychological problems his fellow inmates have and accepts them for who they are. His indifference is obvious when he first enters the ward: "And when he finishes shaking hands with the last Acute he comes right on over to the Chronics, like we aren't no different" (21). The Chronics are taken aback by McMurphy's behavior. They have never been completely accepted before. Also, when McMurphy sees Ellis, "He's there pulling Ellis's hand off the wall and shaking it like he was a politician running for something and Ellis's vote was good as anybody's" (21). Ellis is ashamed of his state-his hands are nailed to the wall and he is standing in his urine. Nevertheless, McMurphy shows no disgust and is indifferent to him. Later, Chief Bromdem i...