100 Best
Where does Catch 22 fall?
1
One of the most challenging aspects of this
novel is piecing together the order in which
events occur. How does Heller manipulate time,
fragment the action and confuse cause and
affect? More importantly, how does this
confusing form fit the function? In other words,
how does the way in which this story is told fit
with what is actually happening in the story?
2
How is insanity defined in Catch-22? What
characteristics do "crazy" characters have? Is
madness the norm or an exception during
wartime?
3
Does there seem to be any system of justice in
the novel? Are "good" characters rewarded while
"evil" ones punished? Can we clearly say who is
"good" or "evil"? If not, is there such thing as
justice at all?
4
Define the logic of Catch-22. What part does
this logic play in the story being told?
5
Catch-22 is an allegory of the common man vs.
the bureaucracy of modern-day America. In
Catch-22, how does the administration of the Air
Force abuse its power? How does it keep its men
enlisted and active? If it doesn't care for the
well-being of its men, what are its goals?
6
Are there any purely "good" characters in the
book? If so, who are they and how is their
goodness expressed? On the other hand, how
do the more flawed characters demonstrate their
cynicism, deceit, blindness, or lust for power?
7
Few of the characters ever form lasting
friendships with fellow soldiers. How is the
individual kept isolated from his peers? In what
ways do they cope with their loneliness?
8
Some critics have said that Yossarian is one of
the first characters in modern American
literature to fight against a powerful system.
Imagine yourself in his position. Would you
make the same choices he did? Why or why not?
Does it make sense to fight powerful systems
like the military? Can you think of any causes
that might be worth fighting for?
9
According to Joseph Heller, “The only freedom
we really have is the freedom to say no.” Explain
what you think he means by this statement; then
debate its philosophical merits. Do you agree or
disagree with him? Support your opinion with
examples from historical and personal
experience. For example, how does the above
statement compare with the “just say no”
catchphrase from the war against drugs?
10
Analyze the impact of Heller’s choice of a satiric
writing style on his novel. Would the book have
been as effective if it had been written in a more
serious manner? How might readers’ responses
to the novel have been different? Would the
book have the same meaning if the style were
different?
11
WouldCatch-22 have been as popular if it had
been published during World War II, rather than
almost two decades after it ended? How might
readers’ reactions to it have differed? Would it
still have become a classic of American
literature? Discuss how the time in which a book
is published might or might not affect its
success.
12
Catch-22 is strongly critical of many societal
institutions, including medicine, business,
religion, government, and the military. Are
Heller’s criticisms still valid? How do your
experiences with large societal institutions—
such as the public school system (Timberland),
your church, your community—compare with
those inCatch-22?
Catch 22
Definition: A problematic situation for which the only
solution is denied by a circumstance inherent in the
problem or by a rule.
Context:
The summary of our story is essentially this:
1) You can stop flying combat missions if you are
mentally incompetent.
2) Wanting to stop flying combat missions means you are
mentally competent.
3) Therefore, no one can stop flying combat missions.
Paradox
Definition: A statement that is seemingly
contradictory or opposed to common sense and
yet is perhaps true.
Context: The team found it to be something of a
paradox when the coach cut practice short
because of their poor performance.
Capitalism
Definition: An economic system characterized by private
or corporate ownership of capital goods, by
investments that are determined by private decision,
and by prices, production, and the distribution of
goods that are determined mainly by competition in a
free market.
Context: Capitalism is an economic system that allows
much freedom but provides few protections.
(p.s. the middle class is dying)
Farce
Definition: A light dramatic composition marked
by broadly satirical comedy and improbable plot.
Context: For the class play competition, the
seniors wrote a hilarious farce in which the
school administrators act like buffoons.
Paranoia
Definition: A tendency on the part of an
individual or group toward excessive or
irrational suspiciousness and mistrustfulness of
others.
Context: The manager dismissed Alice’s frequent
complaints of harassment from other employees
because he thought they were a product of her
paranoia.
Satire
Definition: A literary work holding up human
vices and follies to ridicule or scorn.
Context: Although satire is often humorous,
writers often use it to make serious statements
about societal conditions.
Works Cited
Bryfonski, Phyllis and Carmel Mendelson, eds.
Contemporary Literary Criticism, v. 8. Detroit: Gale
Research, 2009.
Harte, Barbara and Carolyn Riley, eds. Contemporary
Authors, New Revision Series, v. 66. Detroit: Gale
Research, 2007.
Moritz, Charles, ed. A Review of Catch 22. New York: H.W.
Wilson Co., 1994.