Mcmurphy Character Analysis

The Explanation
Characterization of a person does not just begin and end with their personality traits. However, it must take into account a person’s experiences, effect on others and what they left behind. There is a difference between standing up for what one’s beliefs and becoming a hero. Both of these can leave a legacy but McMurphy found that in order to be considered heroic, he had to facilitate those in need to make a change in their own lives. McMurphy’s stubborn, and rule breaking personality not only challenged authority, but started a movement among helpless patients and clarified the essence of power.
McMurphy did not have a major personality shift throughout the novel, but he caused those around him to change. The legacy he left behind helps to define his character. He left an impression, good or bad, on every single person in the ward. This is shown differently through each passage. Immediately as he strutted into the ward, the staff knew they were in for a treat. His body language and carefully crafted digs left the staff powerless in the end. As for the patients in the ward, McMurphy taught them to stand up for …show more content…
Sir Thomas Moore stood up for what he believed in but it hurt his family in the end. Karen Silkwood worked to do the same but she seemed to lack a lasting impact. Sir Gawain was considered the perfect person and showed in the end that anybody can have faults. There was much discussion about whether these three characters should be considered heroes or not, however, many would agree that McMurphy was at least a hero to those in the ward. He stood up for his beliefs, he had a following, and in the end he caused men to change their lives for the better. He proved he was selfless by enduring incredibly torturous electric shock for the sake of the men. The three passages prove these ideas and support the argument to call him a