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Clarifications on the matter

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To be clear, it is not a matter of opinion that Jesus and McMurphy resemble one another. Rather, it is after thoughtful examination that one must conclude that the parallel in question was intended by author Ken Kesey. There are simply too many similarities between the respective figures to be ignored. On a more anecdotal level, people of Irish origins have probably heard, if not used the expression 'Jesus Murphy' in order to convey a sentiment that verges on blasphemous without being actual blasphemy. McMurphy, a man himself  of Irish origins, is an embodiment of something that is at once blasphemous and righteous in almost equal measure. If you're interested in a more thorough examination of the Jesus and McMurphy links, please read the excerpt of my class notes that I have pasted below.

 

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-“McMurphy led the twelve of us toward the ocean,” (ibid). This line has a major significance that can easily be overlooked. Upon researching the matter, there appears to be links between this excerpt and the bible.  For example, “Christ called and chose twelve men to bear witness to what he did and to spread the good news of the gospel to the entire world. After he was raised from the dead, Jesus told the eleven disciples (Judas had killed himself) that God had given him ALL power and authority in both earth and heaven (God's divine authority - Matthew 28:18) (http://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/meaning-of-numbers-in-bible/12.html). Further, the number 12 “is considered a perfect number, in that it symbolizes God's power and authority,” (ibid).

The first reference is of particular interest because it is becoming increasingly clear that McMurphy is being depicted as a Christ like figure in the novel. McMurphy, like Christ, has 12 Apostles and shares a message that he believes will liberate those who choose to be his followers. By this point in the novel we also begin to see that McMurphy’s message is one of truth and salvation; don’t be ashamed of who you are, stand up for yourself, believe in yourself, always try, and only concede to failure once you have actually failed, injustice, corruption and oppression are not to be tolerated, etc.

 

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-If we return to the biblical analogy that suggests McMurphy is Jesus and the patients are the Apostles, then we might look at this trip as the Last Supper. First we see the emergence of the number 12 yet again; there are 12 men on the fishing trip just as there are 12 Apostles at the Last Supper, apart from Jesus. At the Last Supper Jesus predicts various betrayals and his ultimate demise. Jesus shares a last meal with the Apostles and notoriously tells them that they should drink wine because it is his blood and eat bread because it is his flesh. On the fishing expedition the men drink beer and catch fish—the food and drink components of the Last Supper (even Candy symbolizes Mary Magdalene). It will also mark the last occasion during which the men are in the presence of McMurphy, their savior, before his impending demise, due to Billy Bibbet's betrayal (Billy, just like Judas, commits suicide after the aforementioned  betrayal). 

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