Catch-22 Themes and Characters

Questions and Answers

What is Yossarian doing in the beginning of the novel?

Playing hookey in the hospital pretending he has a liver condition

What is Yossarian's job in the hospital?

Censoring letters (sometimes he signs them with Washington Irving)

Who are Yossarian's companions in the hospital?

Dunbar, a Texan, and the soldier in white

Why does everyone leave the hospital?

Because they don't want to hang out with the Texan Signup and view all the answers

Who is Washington Irving, and why did Heller choose him for his allusion?

Washington Irving is an acclaimed American writer popular for his short stories; Heller's allusion is obvious to the audience and seems almost comical in the story. Signup and view all the answers

What's ironic about the use of the word 'patriotically' in regards to the Texan?

The Texan wants people of 'means' and 'decent folk' to have more votes than 'people without means,' which is inherently undemocratic and therefore unpatriotic. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Clevinger think Yossarian is crazy?

Clevinger gets into arguments with Yossarian, who thinks he is one of the only people that remembers that there is a war going on. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the logic to Yossarian's argument against Clevinger.

'And what difference does it make' Signup and view all the answers

What is Heller's satire targeting?

Heller's satire targets and exposes the absurdity of warfare and wartime politics. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Yossarian's roommate?

Orr and the deadman Signup and view all the answers

How does Orr try to get to Yossarian?

Orr talks about his 'apple-cheeks' and doesn't explain what he says because he knows it will kill Yossarian not to know the answer. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Colonel Cargill?

A really bad marketing executive who is inept at his job Signup and view all the answers

How many missions did most generals expect to complete a tour of duty?

50 Signup and view all the answers

Whom does Yossarian hate?

Havemeyer Signup and view all the answers

Characterize Doc Daneeka.

Doc Daneeka is selfish and ungrateful, always complaining that he has to suffer in the war personally. Signup and view all the answers

What does the officers' ignorance of T.S. Eliot emphasize?

The comic exchange between the officers shows they are not culturally up-to-date. Signup and view all the answers

How does Dunbar believe he can live longer?

He believes that life is longer if it is filled with unpleasant conditions, with periods of boredom and discomfort. Signup and view all the answers

When Chief White Halfoat tells the story of the oil companies following his family around, what figure of speech is he primarily using?

Hyperbole - extremely exaggerated lies. Signup and view all the answers

What is Catch 22 employed by Doc Daneeka when Yossarian tries to go insane?

A concern for one's safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Yossarian so good at directing evasive maneuvers once the bombs have been dropped?

Yossarian is the biggest coward; he has the most fear. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Dobbs go 'crazy in mid-air' on the Avignon mission?

Dobbs is crying for someone to 'help him, help him.' Signup and view all the answers

What is special about Hungry Joe?

He has finished his 50 mission requirement and he likes taking pictures of naked girls. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Hungry Joe seem relieved whenever the number of required missions is raised again?

His nightmares stop, and he sinks into a 'normal' state of terror. Signup and view all the answers

Another application of Catch 22?

According to the 27th Air Force Headquarters, they only have to fly 40 missions. Signup and view all the answers

What letter did Yossarian receive from Doc Daneeka?

He can have as much fruit as he wants because of his heart condition. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Milo Minderbinder?

He is a lieutenant and a new pilot who is perpetually angling for advantage. Signup and view all the answers

What might Milo's disunited eyes suggest symbolically?

His inability to understand the illogic in his activity. Signup and view all the answers

What illegal activity is Milo a part of?

He buys and sells goods on the black market. Signup and view all the answers

Whose wife cheats on him with every man?

Lieutenant Scheisskopf. Signup and view all the answers

What is Scheisskopf obsessed with?

Winning parade competitions. Signup and view all the answers

What does Scheisskopf accuse Clevinger of?

Conspiracy to overthrow the officers. Signup and view all the answers

What is Heller's tone in Clevinger's 'trial'?

Heller emphasizes the absolute insanity and ridiculous nature of the trial. Signup and view all the answers

What does Clevinger realize at the end of this chapter?

Clevinger realizes that the men on the Action Board, his superiors, hate him more than anyone else in the world. Signup and view all the answers

How is Major Major's father a hypocrite?

He told his sickbed mom he would name Major Major after her choice, but he lied. Signup and view all the answers

Major Major's elders dislike him because he is such a flagrant nonconformist. How so?

Major Major conforms so thoroughly to the rules that there remains nothing remarkable about him. Signup and view all the answers

What are Major Major's only moments of true happiness?

When he is playing basketball with his fellow officers. Signup and view all the answers

Who are the C.I.D. men?

They are the military versions of FBI and CIA agents who come to investigate. Signup and view all the answers

Is Yossarian still avoiding responsibility even though he has flown fifty-one missions?

False Signup and view all the answers

Who is the dead man in Yossarian's tent?

The guy's name was Mudd, and he died in combat before ever reporting for duty. Signup and view all the answers

What mission are all the men shitless trying to avoid?

Bologna Signup and view all the answers

Why is Yossarian encouraged by the Grand Conspiracy of Lowery Field?

The vanishing of all sixty-four men in that barrack was a mass desertion. Signup and view all the answers

How is Wintergreen like Yossarian?

Wintergreen is constantly going AWOL and getting punished for it. Signup and view all the answers

Where does Catch 22 take place?

Pianosa, Italy Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Character Actions and Relationships

Yossarian pretends to have a liver condition to avoid combat duties, spending time in a hospital.
His job involves censoring letters, humorously sometimes signing them as "Washington Irving."
Yossarian's fellow patients in the hospital include Dunbar and the soldier in white.
Most of the men leave the hospital area to avoid the company of the obnoxious Texan.

Themes and Irony

The ironic use of "patriotically" in the Texan's views highlights his undemocratic stance on voting rights.
Heller's satire criticizes the absurdity of warfare and the motivations of those who label themselves as patriots.
Doc Daneeka exemplifies selfishness and a lack of gratitude for his position, often lamenting his situation.

War and Its Absurdities

General expectations set an arbitrary mission count of 50 to complete a tour of duty.
Yossarian prominently displays fear, which aids his instinct for survival during missions.
The paradox of Catch-22 represents the illogical cycle where a desire for sanity indicates one is not insane enough to escape combat.

Significant Characters

Milo Minderbinder operates with a capitalistic mindset, engaging in black market activities to maximize his and the syndicate's benefit.
Hungry Joe's post-mission nightmares cease when mission counts rise, reflecting the psychological toll of war.
Major Major Major's direct adherence to rules renders him a nonentity, lacking individual distinction or accomplishment.

Societal Observations and Character Flaws

The comic juxtaposition of officers misunderstanding T.S. Eliot's name emphasizes their cultural ignorance and reluctance to confront uncomfortable truths.
Major Major's father exhibits hypocrisy, claiming independence while engaging in dishonest behavior.
Clevinger experiences realization and paranoia related to the hostility from his superiors, suggesting a breakdown in military camaraderie.

Narrative Setting and Context

Most events occur in the war-torn backdrop of Pianosa, Italy, grounding the narrative in a specific, chaotic environment.
The deadman in Yossarian's tent, Mudd, symbolizes the absurdity of bureaucracy, having never officially reported but always remaining present.

Philosophical Reflections on Life and Death

Dunbar believes life feels longer when filled with discomfort, contrasting the human tendency to seek pleasure.
Wintergreen's actions of going AWOL and his subsequent punishments hint at a deeper understanding of the futility of war.
The mass desertion incident at Lowery Field—vanishing soldiers—offers Yossarian a sense of relief from the pressures of war and responsibility.

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Description

Explore the intricate actions and relationships between the characters in 'Catch-22' by Joseph Heller. Analyze the themes of irony and the absurdities of war that the novel presents through Yossarian's experiences and the interactions with his fellow soldiers. This quiz delves into the satirical elements that highlight the challenges faced in military life.