Catch-22 Theme of Insanity - 2799 Words

During the early nineteen forties, war was raging throughout the world. Countries sought to obliterate each other and eradicate all forms of existence outside of their own perimeter. While bombs were being dropped by the hundreds and bullets being fired by the thousands, families back home yearned for the safe return of their newly drafted instruments of war: their husbands and sons. The soldiers of the Fighting 256 Squadron fight their desperate battles against the odds, against the battles of fatigue and torture, against the deadening will to survive. Joseph Hellers masterpiece Catch-22 has enlightened generations of readers to the insanity caused by corrupt bureaucracy and the pseudo-law of Catch-22. Hellers creation of the†¦show more content†¦I live in the woodsÂ…Chief White Halfoat swore he was going to cut my throat some night when I was fast asleep, and I dont dare lie down in the squadron while hes still aliveÂ…and Major Major said he would cut my throat if I ever spoke to him again (Heller 287-88). Flume has migrated into the forest because he is so afraid of having his throat cut while he sleeps. He is undoubtedly crazy because of the extreme actions he has taken because of Major Major and Halfoats threats. In the end of the novel, Yossarian experiences some great enlightenment and decides to himself that his unbeatable problems can only be solved if he runs away from them. A war novel which ends with the desertion of the hero is obviously not heroic and Catch-22 is in fact a pretty thorough debunking job (Wain 46). Every officer the reader meets in the story is either an insane lunatic or a blockheaded fool. These maniac officers are an obvious influ ence to Yossarians reasoning for running away. They tried to trick him with their elaborate scheme of court-martialing him, at the end of the book, which is another influence to his running away. The only intelligent characters who show any great zeal for their duties are plainly ticketed as floperoos, duped into playing the game of General Dreedle, General Peckem, Lieutenant Scheisskopf and the rest of the Dickensian crew (Wain 46). Heller creates theShow MoreRelatedCatch 22 By Joseph Heller1203 Words   |  5 Pagesbook I read was Catch-22 by Joseph Heller. The book was published in 1961(Heller Joseph, Catch-22, copyright page). At the time of release it received nominations for best book of the year (1962 National Book Awards Winners and Finalists, The National Book Foundation.). The author s purpose with his book was to provide interesting commentary on war how ugly and crazy war can be but told in a humorous and satirical fashion. He also showed how it could drive people to insanity. Historically theRead MoreCatch 22- Insanity vs. Sanity1665 Words   |  7 PagesCatch-22 Insanity vs. Sanity Imagine being stuck in a box with absolutely no way out. Everyday becomes another struggle to escape only to find that you are being controlled and confined for no apparent reason. One would eventually let reality slip through their hands and welcome insanity into their empty minds. This is the life of the men in the novel Catch-22, by Joseph Heller. Catch-22 introduces a world were sanity and insanity have switch places, were the logical man is pronounced crazyRead MoreEssay on Catch 221089 Words   |  5 Pages In Catch-22, Joseph Heller reveals the perversions of the human character and society. Using various themes and a unique style and structure, Heller satirizes war and its values as well as using the war setting to satirize society at large. By manipulating the quot;classicquot; war setting and language of the novel Heller is able to depict society as dark and twisted. Heller demonstrates his depiction of society through the institution of war (i.e. its effects and pr oblems during and after war)Read More`` Catch 22, By Joseph Heller1788 Words   |  8 Pagesthe cruel bureaucracy within the military, influenced by his own experiences as a bombardier in World War II. In Heller’s satirical novel, Catch-22, he defines the infuriating, contradictory processes the military uses to run its soldiers’ lives and control their fates through his use of satirical dark humor, literary techniques, structure and various themes. Satire is woven throughout the novel to expose the faults of American institutions within the military, such as religion and war. ReligionRead More Catch 22 Essay1358 Words   |  6 Pagesjustification of what a catch-22 is. Insane behavior and the fight for freedom are both acts, which transpire in Catch 22. Yossarian, a squadron captain is in World War II flying a plane and fighting for his country. Though trying to get out, he knows there is only one way, and that would only get him â€Å"away† from all of the terror. This brings the reader to the theme of the play, escape. â€Å"Insanity is the only sane way to deal with an insane situation†(Heller 78). Joseph Heller’s Catch-22 explains an insightRead MoreCharacter Analysis of Yossarian in Catch 221328 Words   |  5 PagesYossarian is the main character of Catch-22, and one of just a few characters that get fleshed out during the story. Yossarian represents many of the themes and ideas of Catch-22, and pro vides a character that most people can sympathize with. Yossarian is continually worried about dying but at the same time continues to fly his missions so someone else doesn’t have to fly his for him. Yossarian thinks he is sane while everyone else is crazy; however everyone else thinks the exact opposite. He isRead More Essay on Language and Dialogue in Catch-221575 Words   |  7 PagesUse of Language and Dialogue Catch-22      Ã‚  Ã‚   â€Å"Catch-22 is probably best discussed in terms of its language. The prose style Heller employs is original and distinctive, appropriate and well implemented (Pearson 277).† One application of that prose style is dialogue; Heller uses dialogue to manifest the themes of the novel. Some of the themes best shown in the dialogue of the characters are Hellers hatred of war, and his perceived idiocy in military and in bureaucracy. Scattered throughout theRead MoreHellers Use of Satire Within the Characters of Catch-22 Essay773 Words   |  4 PagesIt is frequently said that the novel Catch – 22 by Joseph Heller is about Heller’s opinion on war and lack of patriotism. Although it is understandable how one could grasp those concepts from the novel the main crux of the novel is for the reader to have noticed Heller’s use of satire within the characters. Also to be effected by Yosarrian’s evolution. Heller uses satire to portray his outlook o n war but also other aspects in society. The other aspects are value of life, misuse of power, women andRead MoreThe War Of War II Essay1119 Words   |  5 Pagesarisen in the novel, Catch 22 by Joseph Heller. This text shows that his inner conflict can be influenced by the happenings of the surrounding environment; however an awareness of the strengths and weaknesses can arise as a result of encountering this type of conflict although it has not happened yet. Catch-22 is a law that is defined in various ways throughout the novel. First, Yossarian discovers that it is possible to be discharged from military service because of insanity. Always looking forRead MoreMovie Analysis : Catch 22 1722 Words   |  7 Pages7. Climax (a) Description: Catch-22 has two climaxes which occur simultaneously. The first climax happens when Yossarian receives the choice by Colonel Cathcart: He can either go home, or face the court-martial. The exact details of the choice twist the decision so Yossarian will lose either way. If he goes home, the excuse his superiors make for discharging him in order to save face will include a tall tale, where Yossarian kills a Nazi spy, but not before the spy injures him horribly. In order