Catch-22, by Joseph Heller, is a novel depicting the life of an Air Force squadron during the conclusion of WWII, and how a microcosm such as the squadron is more active than meets the eye. The book sets us down in Pianosa, a small island off the Italian coast. Catch-22 is the story of Yossarian, a bombardier for the American Air Force. The story is not from Yossarian's point of view; it is actually the story of characters in and around the squadron, but the name and actions of Yossarian are really the core of the book. This book really personifies the fact that superior officers in the armed forces often see their soldiers as inhuman resources that can be replenished in an instant, and that the same officers' judgement is often clouded by their ambition. For example, the colonels in Yossarian's squadron are repeatedly raising the number of missions that the men are required to fly before they can go home. Another example of the absurdity the men had to deal with is the affair that on most of their already dangerous missions were made more perilous because the colonels were more concerned with their bombs dropping in good formation (for the purpose of good-looking aerial photos) than the actual destruction of their targets. Catch-22 is actually more of a collection of related short stories and anecdotes than a story with a defined timeline; nevertheless, they are all loosely connected with each other, and they all lead back to Yossarian.
The story is mostly based upon Yossarian's understanding, or lack thereof, that people who he has never met, and who don't know anything about him, are constantly trying to kill him. It vexes him that no one else sees things from his point of view, and by explaining his belief to people, they all find him to be insane, while he sees everything the other way. He finds it absurd that his life being in perpetual danger is in no way his fault, and the fact that he can do nothing about it is even more distressing.
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," 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. ...
