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On page 20 Chief says, "Nobody like him's ever been in the ward before." in reference to McMurphy shortly after his arrival. In fact, it doesn't take McMurphy long to start challenging the ward's rules and regulations. What norms does McMurphy challenge? Why do you think he challenges these norms?

I think there are many reasons McMurphy challenges these norms for one he is characterized as someone who has always broken societal norms and spoken out against authority so in a way it is just natural. However, I think that it is actually much more complex than just that's how he acts. McMurphy doesn't challenge the wards rules just for the thrill he did it because it made sense to him. Everyone in that ward no matter how psychologically intact they were was still a person. McMurphy understood this and I think that him breaking the wards norms wasn't so much a selfish act to entertain himself but it was a shot in the dark to try and give the "prisoners" of the ward a taste of freedom and self expression.

I really enjoy McMurphy as a character. His natural sense to break the rules and push everything to the limit is sort of an ambition in a person you can admire, to an extent. I think his actions are purely selfish. He is looking out for himself in the long run of things. This is shown because he is constantly pushing the limits but suddenly stops and conforms to the rules. This happens when the lifeguard tells him that patients are allowed to leave when Nurse Ratched permits. This causes him to settle down. He is only thinking for himself and how he can get out.

I might be a little crazy too, but I believe that McMurphy is based on Jesus Christ. First and foremost, he is a martyr that died so all of his brethren could be free, and was completely comfortable with doing so, even if it meant his demise. McMurphy manages to win over all of the inmates and truly enlighten them to take control of their lives. He is a clear hero and teaches his peers to question the norms they know. It is also notable that 12 others went with McMurphy on the fishing trip, as they represent Christ's 12 apostles. It is no coincidence that Rub-a-Dub George is a fisherman and the "captain" of the boat, reminiscent of Saint Peter who became the first pope. I think that Kesey definitely considered this approach and wanted to present Jesus Christ in a modern context to revitalize his image and make him understood in an age that was drastically different from his time 2 millennia ago.

Mcmurphy starts challenging many rules associated with the ward. One of the first is his refusal to take a shower as he was being admitted to the ward. He breaks the equilibrium set by the Big nurse that the acutes and chronics should not mingle, by going around and conversing with every patient. His actions can be justified by him saying that he got old of his former ward and got transferred for a different environment. He gets a kick out of pushing the rules but later in the book it is obvious that he changes his motive after realizing the ultimate control nurse ratched has over them, increasing his desire the other patients.

I enjoy the development of McMurphy and how he adjusts throughout the book because he becomes a much more complex and thus more interesting hero in my opinion. When McMurphy first is admitted to the ward and begins challenging the norm, he expects other to follow right away. But he finds out that the norm and authority that he is trying to challenge is unlike anything he's faved before. So he has to earn support and the way he weaves around getting in trouble but still annoying the staff shows the genius of McMurphy. He gets down when he learns that nurse ratched can hold him at the ward as long as she wants, but he comes back swinging when he breaks nurses personal window. That moment and the moment when he gets all the acutes and chief to sit by the tv are two of my favorite parts in the book and they are great representations of McMurphy's character