A Christ Figure is a character whose presence and actions resemble that of Jesus Christ, a martyr who sacrifices himself for the betterment of those around him. The novels, A Separate Peace, by John Knowles, One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey, and the movie, Cool Hand Luke, include Christ Figures who positively alter the setting where they once existed.
Commonly, a Christ Figure intentionally takes on suffering, such as Luke in Cool Hand Luke and McMurphy in One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Luke is a newly arrived inmate at a work prison who influences his fellow prisoners to fight against authority. Just like Luke, McMurphy is a newly admitted patient in a mental institute who influences the people around him to defy the authority …show more content…
Finny also gains disciples through all the activities and sports he makes up, such as Blitzball and the Super Suicide Society of the Summer Session which requires a baptism by jumping into the Devon River. Usually there is one disciple who betrays the Christ Figure, like Judas betrays Christ. In One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest the Judas Figure is Billy Bibbit, who accuses McMurphy of forcing him to sleep with the prostitute. Billy then lacerates his throat with scissors in the doctor’s office. In A Separate Peace Gene is the Judas Figure, which is seen when he purposefully pushes Finny off the limb of a tree causing Finny to fracture his leg which leads to him never participating in sports again.
Just as Jesus Christ held the Last Supper, Christ figures usually host a large meal or party with the use of wine or another red colored substance as blood. In the novel One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest McMurphy organizes a party in which he amalgamates vodka and cough syrup to form the “wine” Jesus gives to his disciples. Another instance of the Last Supper is the Devon Winter Carnival Finny creates and hosts. This carnival includes a ski jump, a prize table, and jugs of hard cider which also represents