This, then, is the McMurphy who enters the ward at the start of
the book. But he is not a static character; he changes
considerably during his time at the hospital. The court that sent
him to the hospital ruled him a psychopath; while his diagnosis
is so obviously harsh even Dr. Spivey doubts it, we may
suspect that it contains just a bit of truth. Among the
characteristics of a psychopathic personality are extreme self-
centeredness and a disregard for moral and social
responsibilities. Certainly McMurphy shows some of those
characteristics in the early portion of the book. He came to the
hospital only to seek an easier life than he had at the work
farm, and at first the battles he fights are fought solely in
pursuit of that easy life. They may benefit the other patients,
but first they benefit him: it's McMurphy who wants to play
cards in the tub room, who wants to watch the World Series.
Even the Chief suspects that McMurphy has escaped the
Combine because he has "no one to care about, which is what
made him free enough to be a good con man."

Throughout the book, but particularly in the scene where the
Chief and McMurphy undergo shock treatment, parallels are
drawn between McMurphy and Christ. While for some it may
verge on blasphemy to call this gambler and sinner Christlike,
it is true that McMurphy has sacrificed himself for others. In
the end the Combine scores what seems to be a complete
victory over him; a lobotomy has destroyed him even before
the Chief puts an end to his life. Only through the Chief and the
other patients who, thanks to McMurphy's courageous
example, leave the hospital to fight the Combine elsewhere,
does McMurphy live on.

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