What is the role of Doc Daneeka’s death in Catch-22?
In Joseph Heller's novel Catch-22, Doc Daneeka's death serves as a pivotal
moment in the plot, contributing to the novel's exploration of themes such as
the absurdity of war and the consequences of unchecked authority. Doc
Daneeka's death is the result of an administrative mistake – he is reported
dead despite being alive – and this error leads to administrative chaos and a
failed attempt to rectify the error.
Doc Daneeka's death also has repercussions for the novel's protagonist,
Yossarian, who uses Daneeka's death to fake his own death and escape the
war. The ultimate outcome of this attempt is left ambiguous, emphasizing the
novel's theme of the senselessness of war and the arbitrary nature of power.
Furthermore, Doc Daneeka's death highlights the corrupt nature of those in
power, representing the consequences of their actions on those they oversee.
The bureaucratic absurdity surrounding Daneeka's death emphasizes the idea
that those in authority are more concerned with following regulations and
maintaining their self-interest, rather than caring for the welfare of their
subordinates.
Overall, Doc Daneeka's death in Catch-22 serves as a metaphor for the
devastating consequences of bureaucratic and authoritarian power structures.
References:
Heller, J. (1994). Catch-22. Vintage Books.
Lerer, S. (2018). Catch-22: a teaching guide. Close Reads, LLC.