Catch-22

A detailed Summary of Catch-22

Heller's Depiction of Social Systems

In the novel Catch-22 Joseph Heller talks about many issues dealing with war. The details in Catch-22 point towards a theme that supports Heller's view. Heller expresses his theme by making each character represent certain aspects of society that he wishes to oppose. Although Heller illustrates many important themes, the most crucial theme in Catch-22 is the depiction of the corruption of social systems through morally irresponsible characters. Heller portrays these social systems in a rather negative way.

In Catch-22, Heller portrays people who contribute little to the world around them. Heller also portrays people unable to fulfill their duties. The Chaplain for example continues to fail in his obligations of spiritually uniting the military unit. Heller sows what the chaplain is thinking by saying no one "seemed really to appreciate that he Chaplain Albert Taylor Tappman, was not just a chaplain but a human being"(280). He constantly reminds himself that people view him as an object rather than a human being, and he wonders, "Why couldn't anyone understand that he was not really a freak but a normal lonely adult, trying to lead a normal lonely adult life."(280). Similarly, many people fi

Heller illustrates the carelessness of soldiers in the military through their actions. The incidents that occur in the book show the careless attitude of the soldiers. Heller sets up the characters as morally irresponsible by describing certain details about the soldiers. With the details, Heller then reveals the soldiers' outwardness which leads them into actions with undesirable consequences. For example, McWatt is a soldier who frequently jokes around and is "the craziest combat man of them all"(69). When he accidentally kills Kid Sampson, however, McWatt realizes the death and destruction that results from his careless actions. Instead of trying to work through the death of Sampson, McWatt commits another careless act. He "decided oh, well, what the hell, and flew into a mountain" (350). McWatt represents the carelessness of the soldiers perfectly in that he is too quick to show remorse for his actions.McWatt does not think about what he has done,but rather tries to find a quick irrational solution. However, McWatt's actions result in the increasing of missions to sixty-five. Although he tries to make things right, McWatt does not think thoroughly about his actions, but rather is quick to commit suicide. By killing himself, McWatt shows his irrational solution to the death of Kid Sampson. Heller also suggests that lack of moral responsibility is the cause of carelessness with life. He uses the characters in less dramatic situations to portray the immoral actions of other soldiers. Yossarian, for example, frequently escapes to the hospital where he is safe from the war. When he fights in the war, Yossarian cares little for what is going on because he "did not give a damn whether he hit the target or not, just as long as Havermyer or one of the other lead bombardiers did and they never had to go back."(39). Yossarian's lack of moral responsibilities makes him indifferent to the war he is fighting in. Yossarian shows his careless atittude by not caring for Luciana. Yossarian, again, shows his indifference to Luciana's love by ripping up the paper with her name and address, even though Yossarian promises to keep in touch with her. His careless attitude costs him a relationship that seemed promising in many ways. Both Yossarian's and McWatt's actions represent a careless attitude towards the war. Many soldiers share a common carefree attitude that leads to punishing consequences.

Another organiztation that Heller depicts are the large industrious compa

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Approximate Word count = 1666
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels