Commentary and Relevance

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Orr the
Bombardier

Introduction/General Overview
Orr is a bomber pilot in the squadron who is continually being shot
down (17 times) and having to crash land in the sea.
Described as "a warm-hearted, simple-minded gnome,"
He continues to fly and does not appear afraid of the missions, and he is
therefore assumed to be crazy but he has a secret.

Satirization and Criticism of

American Culture/War Effort
Desperation of soldiers to be grounded;
desperation of higher-ups to extend their
service
-ex: part of Colonel Cathcarts squad who keeps raising required missions amount; the
Concept of Catch-22 itself

-ex: Orr pays a prostitute to give him a head injury with her shoes so he can get a leave;
risks practices plane crash landings to fake his death later on

Reveal Foibles and evils of his time?

Orr understands that there is no Catch-22
Realizes that he will die unless he finds a
way out
o
o

Own desires of escape reveal the selfishness of

society
Pleasing the higher ups is more
important than the lives of
soldiers

This represents the Catch-22 rule

Commentary on social system

-Criticizes the bureaucracy of the military;
higher-ups want their soldiers to be obedient
-Orr acts incompetent/absurd on purpose to trick his superiors (make them
less suspicious of his escape)
-When someone asks me why I have crabapples in my cheeks, I point out that they are rubber balls, and
they are in my hands. I don't know if it ever worked, though, because it's hard to make people understand
you when you have crabapples in your cheeks." - Orr
-"Orr hasn't got the brains enough to be unhappy." - Yossarian

Orrs Stance on War

-Thinks its conducted by corrupt bureaucracy system and
lives are expended due to the power struggle
- Rather than outwardly rebel and openly escape to a neutral country
(family wouldnt get benefits; shame of AWOL), he uses the system against
itself
-Learned how to crash with narrow survival rates throughout the novel to convince higher
ups that are so focused with promotions that he was dead

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Symbolic Value of Orr

Orr represents hope for those that want to
escape Catch-22
o

Orr is perceived as an incompetent pilot, however he

has developed a complex escape route
This holds a greater value because even the
lowest ranking officer is able to defeat the most
nerve wracking dilemma

Attitude of the author towards Orr

(with textual support)
Heller created Orr on the basis of comedic relief - although
Heller doesnt particularly demonstrate a fondness or
unfeeling towards Orr, he exposes the realities of war while
adding unexpected humor
Orr planned it that way. Dont you understand - he planned it that way from the beginning. (449)

The Great Creators

Jackie Wong
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