What can readers learn about the themes of authority and
corruption in Catch-22?
Authority and corruption are major themes in Joseph Heller's novel, Catch-22.
Through his depiction of military command structure, Heller satirizes the
abuse of power, highlighting the corrupt and manipulative behaviors of those
in authority.
Throughout the novel, Colonel Cathcart, General Peckem, and Major Major
exemplify these characteristics, as they are portrayed as callous and ruthless
individuals who care only for their own personal gain. They make decisions
that endanger the lives of their men, all in pursuit of personal glory and
advancement.
The novel also explores the corrupting influence of power on individuals, as
characters such as Milo Minderbinder become increasingly self-serving and
greedy as they rise in power. This highlights the dangerous intersection of
power and greed and the ways in which it can lead individuals down a
destructive path.
Overall, Catch-22 serves as a warning against the dangers of unchecked
authority and corruption, urging readers to question those in power and to hold
them accountable for their actions.
References:
- Heller, Joseph. Catch-22. Simon & Schuster, 1961.
- Tuttleton, James W. "Authority and the Individual in Catch-22." Kenyon Review, vol. 25, no.
2, 1963, pp. 300–310. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/4334334.