How do the character's reactions to the war in Catch-22
emphasize the absurdity of conflict?
In Joseph Heller's Catch-22, the characters' reactions to the war emphasize
the absurdity of conflict. The novel depicts World War II as a senseless war in
which soldiers are forced to risk their lives for an arbitrary cause, with little
understanding of how their actions contribute to the larger picture of the war.
The characters' responses to their situations reveal their frustration and
confusion about the senselessness of the war.
For example, the protagonist, Yossarian, questions the logic behind the
military's rules and regulations, and he resists being sent on any more
missions when he realizes that the missions are insane and puts him and his
fellow soldiers in grave danger. Similarly, the absurdity of war is highlighted in
the scene where Milo Minderbinder trades with the Germans, making a profit
while the war rages on.
The characters' reactions to the war emphasize the surreal and contradictory
nature of the conflict, portraying the dehumanization and confusion that can
emerge from war. The novel uses satire and humor to reveal the absurdity of
conflict and the tragic consequences it brings.
Overall, Catch-22 shows the absurdity of war by depicting characters who are
trapped in an illogical, bureaucratic system and who struggle to make sense of
their situation. The novel explores themes of the futility of war, the
dehumanization of soldiers, and the tension between military duty and
individualism.
References:
- Heller, Joseph. Catch-22. Simon & Schuster, 1961.
- Scafella, Frank. “The Satiric Spirit of Joseph Heller's Catch-22.” Modern Fiction Studies,
vol. 17, no. 2, 1971, pp. 191–203. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/26278323.