Joseph Heller: Catch-22

“Catch-22” by Joseph Heller is a satirical novel set during World War II that follows the experiences of Captain John Yossarian, a U.S. Army Air Forces B-25 bombardier. The title refers to a contradictory and absurd military regulation that exemplifies the book’s central theme.

The story revolves around Yossarian’s attempts to maintain his sanity and survive the war while dealing with the paradoxical catch-22 situation. The catch-22 is a rule that states a soldier can be deemed insane if he requests to be relieved from dangerous combat missions on the grounds of insanity. However, by expressing concern for one’s safety, a soldier demonstrates rational thinking, which contradicts the insanity claim. This absurdity encapsulates the novel’s critique of bureaucracy, war, and the inherent illogicality of some institutional rules.

The narrative unfolds in a non-linear fashion, jumping between events and characters, offering a mosaic of perspectives on the absurdities of war. Heller employs dark humor and satire to expose the dehumanizing effects of war and the absurdity of military bureaucracy.

Throughout the novel, Yossarian’s struggle to escape the relentless and senseless nature of war serves as a metaphor for the broader critique of the absurdity of the human condition. Heller’s “Catch-22” is celebrated for its wit, irreverence, and powerful commentary on the often illogical and contradictory aspects of war and society.

Author: Joseph Heller

Title: Catch-22

Year: 2011 (Simon & Schuster trade paperback edition)

ISBN: 978-1-4516-2665-0