One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest Religion

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Religion, as depicted in the novel is an important theme in the novel. The two main religions are that of Catholicism and the traditionalist Igbo religion. Although some of the characters have the same religion, they all have different beliefs from one another. In the Achike family, religion plays an important part as Eugene is a moral absolutist who follows it with extreme measures and practices for example when he "unbuckled his belt slowly." If Mama Beatrice and the children won't obey God's rule they will be punished as he "demands perfection" from them. Eugene does not show the same love to his father as Aunty Ilfeoma does as he is a "heathen" and "pagan." In fact, Papa Eugene does not associate himself with any other religions as " pagan rituals are misinformed superstition, and they are a gateway to hell." Eugene also has the tendency use religion as a source of retainment to his family. For instance, when Eugene wouldn't let them eat food from Papa Nnukwu's house as they could "desecrate" their "Christian tongue." The difference between Ilfeoma and Eugene is that she is more lenient with religion and she respects other religions and other cultures. Catholicism is embodied and followed based on different values than the Achike family. The other main …show more content…

He follows the rituals of his ancestors and believes in a pantheistic model of religion. Though both his son and daughter converted to Catholicism, Papa-Nnukwu held on to his roots. When Kambili witnesses his morning ritual, she realizes that their faiths are not as different as they appear. Kambili’s faith extends beyond the boundaries of one religion. She revels in the beauty of nature, her family, her prayer, and the Bible. When she witnesses the miracle at Aokpe, Kambili’s devotion is confirmed. Aunty Ifeoma agrees that God was present even though she did not see the apparition. God is all around Kambili and her family, and can take the form of a

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