The "fallen woman" as an archetype in literature are depicted in Catch 22 written by Joseph Heller, Thermos Bottles author Yukio Mishima, and Siddhartha written by Hermann Hesse. Catch 22 was set during World War II in Rome. The story focuses on a solider named Yossarian who tries to avoid death. The theme was "war is absurd". Thermos Bottles is set in San Francisco but later relates back to Japan. This story is about a cheating man named Kawase who must face his dilemma of adultery. Siddhartha is set in Ancient India, that shows the life of one man as he take a journey looking for peace and conquering the self.that shows the life of one man as he take a journey looking for peace and conquering the self.
In Catch 22 the "fallen woman" is Nately's whore. She is a young, beautiful, Italian woman who happens to be a prostitute that usually serves American soldiers. Due to her career she gives off the impression that she can not love anyone even though, Nately fell in love with her. At the end it seems Nately's whore's feelings were hidden for Nately. When Yossarian told Nately's whore the bad news of his death she took revenge for Nately's death by stabbing Yossarian, which showed in a twisted way she deep down really loved Nately. Nately's Whore moves the story along through her violent action towards Yossarian by keeping him from taking the deal he was offered by Colonel Cathcart to leave the war plus promotion and in exchanged the other soldiers would have to complete more missions. Nately's whore stabs Yossarian right after he agreed to take the offer. Nately's whore acted as Yossarians" conscience, and while he Is in the hospital recovering from his stabbed wound, he decides not to take the offer. Nately's whore reestablished the theme "war is absurd" by keeping Yossarian from finally being free to leave the war. Nately's whore has power over Nately, he tried to control her but in the end she controlled him.
