l theme and that is the struggle between good and evil. This struggle shows up In many of Americas most definitive stories. And among these definitive stories is that of Jesus Christ. Kesey weaves this story with " One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" with religious references and imagery. One example is the patient Ellis who was given too much electro-shock therapy and stands permanently crucified against the wall, which foreshadows other religious undertones later in the book when McMurphy is forced into " more severe therapy". Mc Murphy's "therapy" and final days has a number of overt religious references, such as : This religious imagery was an intentional attempt on Kesey's part to bring the reader into McMurphy's story and relate it to Jesus Christ's. While the role of McMurphy and Christ have obvious differences some similarities are also apparent. McMurphy also died for an unselfish reason, to better the lives of others and took on a cause more noble than himself. Another story of good and evil and one that played a large roll in the shaping of American culture, is the civilization of the Native American and the confiscation of their land. The combine comes from the Chiefs delusion of the taking over of his land by the white people. The sound the " combine " makes in the Chiefs head is similar to to the dam that was built on his land and forced his people from their homes. The selling of the land to the white people is tied into the female role theme in the story. His mother's emasculation of his father made him smaller not literally but psychologically weakening him enough to sell the land and become victim to the combine:This excerpt best represents Keseys use of combining themes, and especially represent the story of the native Americans. Kesey combined The role of women, conformity, and the civilization of the native American throughout the novel. Kesey expertly weaves several very strong stories and themes in to th...
