Catch-22 Review essays

Catch-22 Review essays Joseph Hellers Catch-22 is a fictional novel. It is a classic adventure through the dark, cynicism of war, filled with characters who hate themselves, hate each other, and most of all the war itself. The majority of Catch-22 takes place during the late stages of the European portion of World War II at an American Air Force camp on the Italian island of Pianosia in the Mediterranean Sea. Some of the book also is set in Rome while the officers are on leave from their duties during the war. The novels main character is John Yossarian, a man far from your usual hero. Yossarian feels paranoid; fears that everyone, even those in his squadron, are trying to kill him; and, avoids acts that could make him a hero because those are the ones that endanger his life most. Throughout Catch-22 he deals with the internal conflict of a morbid fear of death. He tries in vain many times to convince the squadrons doctor, Doc Daneeka, to ground him so he would not have to fly anymore missions. His main argument wont work however due to catch-22, an undefined law that contradicts existing laws, yet doesnt really exist but does exist because everyone believes it does. He says he is insane and should not be allowed to fly; unfortunately, catch-22 says that he is sane since he doesnt want to fly, and only someone who is insane would want to put his life at risk by flying. The only way he is able to avoid flying is by faking a liver illness that keeps him in the hospital until he can not bear being in the hospital anymore. Externally his superiors force him to fly against his will, making him face the possibility of being killed. Additionally, every time he comes close to completing the number of mission required to be able to be discharged Colonel Cathcart raises the number of missions in attempt to be promoted to general. The resolution to this problem is spending more time in the hospital and drawing up plans w...