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 is indeed a case of appearance versus reality; he appears to be insane, but really his ideas are somewhat sober and convincing in the novel. Yossarian is not the only example of this throughout history; many political leaders have demonstrated the same. The views of Communist Russia can be compared to those of Yossarian. Russia appeared to be concerned with the will of the proletariat, but it only encouraged the strength of the leaders. The same can be said for Germany while under Nazi rule; Hitler appeared to be doing his work for the good of Germany, when in reality, he was murdering the innocent. Pierre Elliott Trudeau, the equivalent of a Canadian Thomas Jefferson, fought for the liberties of the person, but had no problem removing them during the FLQ crisis. Yossarian is an example for the political minds throughout history; he represents the hidden agenda and what is kept from public knowledge. His pragmatism and ideological views are conflicting throughout the novel, much like the views of politicians.
Yossarian's goal is to prove to the other people around him that he is actually insane. By proving this, Yossarian will be able to leave Pianosa and return home to America. But, Yossarian was not actually insane he had to come across as insane, so that his goal of leaving the war would be accomplished. He appeared to be insane but his mental faculties were completely intact. The same can be said for Stalin, who appeared to have concern for the working class Russian citizens, but actually, only wanted to gain power through their exploitation. .
In the novel, many characters see Yossarian as an insane person. Heller even tries to get the reader to believe that Yossarian is insane by describing him as having, "an unreasonable belief that everybody around him was crazy, a homicidal impulse to machine-gun strangers, retrospective falsification, an unfounded suspicion that people hated him and were conspiring to kill him"(29).
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. ...
"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. ... While reading "Catch 22," I found myself thwarted by the misuse of power. ... Probably the best example of this unjustness is the Catch 22 itself. ... The novel "Catch 22" clearly defines several aspects of war that are not usually accepted and are often unheard of. ...
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. ...
