Catch-22, Paradox, & Irony
A catch-22 (or Catch-22) is defined as a problematic situation for which the only solution is denied by a circumstance inherent in the problem, or by a rule.
Ex. 1: in show business, you can’t work unless you have an agent,
and you can’t have an agent unless you’ve got work
experience.
Ex. 2: Yossarian wants to stop flying missions. He learns if
you’re crazy, you don’t have to fly them. The catch-22 is
that to be evaluated for craziness, you have to ask to stop
flying, and by asking, you’re proving you’re not crazy (as
only crazy people would want to fly combat missions).
It is also an illogical, unreasonable, or senseless situation and a policy whose effect is the opposite of what was intended.
Paradox: a statement that is seemingly contradictory, or opposed
to common sense, yet is possibly true.
Ex: Cargill who is extremely successful financially
because of his horrible financial success.
Irony: 3 part definition:
1) Prediction vs. reality: the difference between what one expects,
and what happens.
Ex: A sudden thunderstorm on a day predicted to have
sunny skies is ironic.
Lit. example: Raskolnikov is certain the old lady will be
alone, yet Lizaveta is there.
2) Perception vs. reality: where things are not as they seem.
Ex: Robbers posing as policemen, demanding to search
a house and in reality steal from it.
Lit. example: Sonia, despite her profession, is perhaps the
most “pure” character in C&P.
3) Intention vs. effect: a contradiction between what one tries to
do vs. what happens.
Ex: Avoiding contact with a sick person, and just as they

get over their cold, you get sick anyway.
Lit. example: Raskolnikov intends to test his superman
theory by removing a “louse” from society, yet he ends
up killing one of the most innocent (Lizaveta).
Specific forms of Irony: dramatic: the audience knows something the character doesn’t.
Ex.: Razumikhin further indicting his friend with his shrewd
observations about the murder. verbal: words have additional layers of meaning for reader/characters
Ex.: Nastasia saying “It’s the blood!” to Raskolnikov, when
explaining his crazy behavior. (actually both verbal
& dramatic here, since Nastasia doesn’t realize what
she’s saying) situational: elements of contrast arise from the situation or series
of events
Ex.: Svidrigailov being haunted by Martha Petrovna’s ghost
when he claims his conscience is “perfectly clear” on
the matter of her death.