Lit Anal #1

Catch-22
by Joseph Heller

1. There is a soldier named Yossarian. He is stationed on the island of Pianosa with his air force squadron. World War II is into its second half and Yossarian is trying to get out of the war by one way or another. Every time Yossarian attempts to get himself out of the war something always stops him, there is always a catch.Yossarian learns hat if he is insane he will be discharged so he fakes that he went insane and goes to the hospital to tell them that he is insane. However, when he does this, they tell him that by saying that he is insane he proves himself sane because any sane person would fake insanity to get out of the war. Yossarian's friend, Nately, falls in love and when the girl finally loves him back he is killed the next mission. That girl then blames Yossarian for Nately's death and tries to kill him every time they cross paths. Troubled by Nately's death, Yossarian decides to wall the streets of Rome. While walking, he sees every type of inhumanity there is, from rape to disease to murder. Ironically, Yossarian is arrested for not having a pass. His supervisors then offer him a choice, be court-martialed or  be sent home on honorable discharge. The choice is a clear one for Yossarian, however, his supervisors throw him a curve ball. If he wants to be sent home he has to approve of their policy, which says that all men in the squad must fly eight missions. Yossarian wouldn't let innocent people die for his own gain so he decides to run away to Sweden where he live away from the war.

2. The main theme of the novel is the absolute power of bureaucracy.

3. The tone of the author is satirical and humorous at some points while cynical and grotesque at others.

"'Haven’t you got anything humorous that stays away from waters and valleys and God? I’d like to keep away from the subject of religion altogether if we can.'
The chaplain was apologetic. 'I’m sorry, sir, but I’m afraid all the prayers I know are rather somber in tone and make at least some passing reference to God.'
'Then let’s get some new ones.'"

"Yossarian was cold, too, and shivering uncontrollably. He felt goose pimples clacking all over him as he gazed down despondently at the grim secret Snowden had spilled all over the messy floor. It was easy to read the message in his entrails. Man was matter, that was Snowden’s secret. Drop him out a window and he’ll fall. Set fire to him and he’ll burn. Bury him and he’ll rot, like other kinds of garbage. That was Snowden’s secret. Ripeness was all."

4. Five literary terms that helped me understand the novel better are:

Tone- knowing that the authors tone is satirical, helped me understand why he was writing the story the way it was.

Symbolism- the author used a lot of symbolism to help explain the theme more in depth.

Metaphor- metaphors help make the novel more entertaining to read.

Imagery- it made the novel easier to picture in my mind.

Diction- the words the author chose help create the tone and the imagery of the novel.