Books about war are notorious for glorifying the soldiers fighting the battles as heroes or respectable figures. "Catch 22," by Joseph Heller, however, does the opposite. Set during World War II, "Catch 22" depicts a story that, in my opinion, is more believable. The characters in the novel detest the war and want out, quarrel with one another, drink and make fools of themselves among other activities that are not usually portrayed as things American soldiers would partake in. Such depictions of the soldiers have made my view on American military policies and soldiers themselves change.
In the novel "Catch 22," the soldiers acted more like an average human being rather than the honorable heroes most war novels depict soldiers as. The soldiers do things like lie and cheat, avoid the war as much as possible and even spend nights with prostitutes. Acts such as these are not what someone would expect to read about American soldiers. I, however, find this easier to believe. The soldiers are, after all, human, and it is rare to find a human that lives by strict, honorable morals and values. Not only did this sometimes brutal honesty about how soldiers act make for a more believable novel, but it has also caused me to have more respect for soldiers. No longer do I view them as the inhuman protectors of the nation, but rather as a fellow American. Honestly, I know that there is not any American who is perfect in any way. Granted, some people may be respectable and may help people in unbelievable ways, but no one is truly perfect. Now that I have a reason to believe that soldiers are also not perfect, I can accept them as people. Not only have my views on soldiers been affected by "Catch 22," but my view on America's military in general has as well.
While reading "Catch 22," I found myself thwarted by the misuse of power. The officers" abuse of power for their own benefit was the part that most roused me, though.
Satire is defined as "prose or verse that employs wit in the form of irony, innuendo, or outright derision to expose human wickedness and folly." Satire abounds in many forms and situations in Catch-22 by Joseph Heller. He satirizes the human condition in war and capitalism, but Heller's most poigna...
I would have to say that Joseph Heller's Catch-22, was at least enjoyable to read. ... The idea of a Catch-22 is interesting. ... He is cursing Catch-22, although he doesn't believe in it. There is no real explanation for Catch-22, that's the catch. It can only be defined as Catch-22. ...
In the novel, Catch-22, by Joseph Heller, the main character, John Yossarian, is an example of a person with intelligent ideas, but actions that reflect those of an insane person. ... This tactic goes over quite well until he discovers Catch-22. ...
Catch-22 is a novel that discusses the sheer insanity that accompanies the participants of war. ... As Yossarian discovers, "Catch-22 did not exist...but it made no difference. ... Catch-22 takes many forms, but the central one is that you don't have to fly any more missions if you"re crazy, but you have to ask first, and anyone who wants to get out of combat duty isn't crazy (Young). ... He is confused by the concept of "Catch-22" and can not comprehend it. He is placed in a "catch-22" situation when he attempts to leave the war by telling his commander that he has gone insane. ...
Robert Merril says, "Heller has in fact divided Catch-22 into three parts."" ... Constant contradictions to past sayings and actions, given by officers and innocent bystanders of the war are prevalent in Catch-22 as well. ... The title alone even hints toward a funny bit here and there, as a catch-22 is a contradiction all in itself. ... The closing is a quote from a critique written by Louis Hasely that perfectly states the true purpose of humor in Catch-22... The humor in Catch-22, we are forced to conclude, is only secondary. ...
Lack of Chronology in Catch 22 Catch-22 has much passion, comic and fervent, but it gasps for want of craft and sensibility. ... The plot of this story is based around the title, Catch-22. ... Yossarian asks if they had Catch-22 written down and if they showed it to her, and she says that Catch-22 stipulates that they don't have to show her Catch-22. ... This is a Catch-22 in its self, and again gains the confidence of the reader. that Catch-22 is the authors" main theme, without using the examples in any certain chronology. ... This example of Catch-22 is not in chronolog...
In his World War II novel, Catch-22, Joseph Heller satirizes a variety of bureaucrats and the military-industrial complex. ... Pilots, bombardiers and navigators can only gain removal from the war should they invoke catch 22, which states that people found to be insane cannot fly, but which also states that only crazy people would want to fly so if you ask to be relived from this duty then you must automatically be quite sane, and sane people fly. Since Yossarian cannot be removed from the war because of catch 22, he attempts to escape missions using several strategies. ... In Catch-22, ...
Joseph Heller the author of Catch-22 says, "The only freedom we really have is the freedom to say no." ... The book Catch -22 is a good example of interpreting this statement, in a way of someone saying no to authority. ... The book Catch-22 incorporates this interpretation of that statement very well. ...
Joseph Heller's outrageously funny and very affecting novel Catch-22 is a perfect example. ... Heller's past is very evident throughout Catch-22. ... Catch-22 is a social satire that utilizes dark humor. ... Furthermore, the main character in Catch-22, Yossarian, is essentially based on Heller himself. ... It is fairly obvious why Catch-22 became so meaningful to people in the 1960s. ...