Catch 22

Catch 22 is a wartime novel written by Joseph Heller in my opinion to show the struggles of
soldiers that are faced with their own deaths on a day to day basis. Heller uses humour
throughout the book to give the book a light hearted feel while still showing the absurdities of
war through the way the officers conduct themselves. The American Air Force has one rule
that governs the way these soldiers must act. This rule is ‘catch22’ which states manifests its
self in several ways throughout the novel.

The setting is in the later stages of World War Two (WWII) on the island Pianosa, following
the 256th squadron who are based on the island. The book follows the men of the 256th
squadron and views things from their point of view. I think this is so that the reader is able to
obtain a greater understanding of the inner workings of the air force how Heller sees it. While
the book follows multiple characters it always comes back to Yossarian who has the major
dilemma of being afraid to go back up in to the nose of his plane and put his life on the line
again and again. This prompts him to go about finding ways to be sent home. The main way a
person can be taken off combat duty is to complete the required number of missions however
these are always being raised by the head of the air force. I think this is Heller trying to show
the pointlessness of war because even when getting close to a goal, something out of your
control can come and ruin it for you. This effect of war is seen even today when a soldier can
be 3 months through 6 month a deployment and be killed preventing him from ever returning
alive.