Catch 22

A detailed Summary of Catch 22

Heller wrote this book to satirize institutions and how these institutions do not service the

constitutions of which it is composed, but they undermine them.

The American citizens which fought for the United States during World War Two showed

the values within current America. On the home front, in the newspapers, and through statistics,

the United States had been victorious in Europe and US soldiers were seen as defenders of

American culture and values. Thousands of American troops took on the responsibility of

protecting the American way of life. Author and war veteran Joseph Heller showed that certain

parts of the U.S Army did not prove to be as patriotic as many believed. Through the actions and

attitudes of certain characters, Heller displayed the chaos and negative aspects of the American

soldier at war. Whether motivated by greed or differences, he proved that many of the troops

fighting did not live up to the romantic Hollywood images that many Americans saw as truthful.

His claim was that in actuality, survival of the self dominated the outlook of many in combat. In

his work Catch-22, Joseph Heller showed the shift in values of the American soldiers through his

characters Milo, General Cathcart, and

everyday citizens and Americans held their war heroes in high esteem.

Some profited from the war in ways that were not accepted by the American cultural

Cathcart would raise the number of missions his pilots must fly every time they came close to his

his superiors." (Pg. 191) The true personality of characters such as Cathcart was not seen by

He displayed limited moral integrity according to American ethics, and cared little for the true

could accomplish and set records for themselves, perhaps he would be acknowledged at home in

(Pg. 262) He dealt with countries from all over the globe, including Germany. His planes had

better." (Pg. 192) Though patriotic and concerned with victory for the United States and the

own goals. Colonel Cathcart sought to make no blemish on his records. "He was complacent and

for Milo and punished Yossarian when he had the chance. Going back on his promises often,

loyal to their country. They were to put their own interests aside and take on the responsibility of

plundering his countrymen, and, as a result, his stock had never been higher." (Pg. 378). Milo

Approximate Word count = 850
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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