One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest Questions

What were Kesey's intentions in titling the book what he did?
The phrase "one flew over the cuckoo's nest" both comes from a nursery rhyme and also has come to mean that one has gone too far. This seems an interesting title because it can be applied to more than one situation in the novel; it could be interpreted toward McMurphy or Nurse Ratched. McMurphy made trouble continually, and even though he kept receiving electric shocks as treatment, he continued. He went so far that he received a lobotomy that turned him into a vegetable, and out of mercy, Chief killed him. A case could be made saying that it was he that went too far, but it can also be argued that Nurse Ratched "flew over the cuckoo's nest." For instance, she did everything that she did because she believed that it would produce better citizens for the society, but excessive shock treatment and pointless lobotomy on a rebellious patient could be seen as going too far, as well.


Why did so many of the patients stay in the ward if they were merely voluntary?
Many of the patients found some sort of closure or sense of place, however twisted, at the ward. For instance, Billy Bibbit had never had a relationship that really lasted or went anywhere. Had he not lived in the ward, it can be assumed that he would have lived with his mother, despite the fact that he was about thirty years old. In addition, Harding had much trouble with his wife, and chose to remain at the ward. The Chief stayed because he had grown up-from the time he was ten until about halfway through the novel-pretended to be deaf and feeling that no one ever listened to him; it can be assumed that the ward provided some sort of place for him, even if it were really no home at all.
 
How effective was Kesey's portrayal and characterization McMurphy as an antihero?
Kesey's choice to characterize McMurphy as an antihero seemed very effective. McMurphy is a character who could never be a true hero, though he could attempt to overthrow the "combine." Indeed, he did attempt this, but as opposed to being viewed as the villain (through his rebellion), we as readers are much more likely to side with him as opposed to Nurse Ratched. His motives are to help himself get out of the ward, to demean the power of Nurse Ratched, and (much later) to help the others in the ward. He smashed the Big Nurse's window several times, attempted to switch around their work hours to watch the World Series, and more (some merely to annoy the nurse). The drastic measures that he takes become justified in our eyes because of his massive impact on the other patients.

What support is there/isn't there for the prospect of McMurphy being a Christ figure?
McMurphy, it seems, can certainly be interpreted as an allusion to Christ. For instance, McMurphy comes into the ward and plans to go against those who are in power; while this does not necessarily seem like a motive that Jesus would have in the Christian faith, he does go against the traditional views and is considered blasphemous. He takes them fishing-and including himself and Candy, there are twelve on the boat, which can be considered a reference to the "fishing of men" that Jesus took with the twelve disciples. Finally, he fell at the end through multiple electroshock therapies and a lobotomy (and a mercy killing from the Chief), and soon after, all but about three patients left the ward. He showed the others how to live, and they went on with the lives that they deserved, (and the Big Nurse's power diminished) though he made the ultimate sacrifice for them: himself.