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introduction
Joseph Heller’s Catch-22 (1961) explores the reality of life as an American soldier during WWII through the protagonist, Captain John Yossarian. Catch-22 offers a controversial literary approach to the depiction of wartime as Heller strays from the conventional literary style. This has led to some contradiction among critics, notably Orville Prescott, who outlines the novel as one that surpasses conventional realism and delves into satire, exaggeration, farce, and lunacy. Prescott is justified to some extent regarding Heller’s use of satire in his depiction of the war, however, Heller does not rise above realism but rather integrates both satire and realism to ultimately criticise the absurdity of war. The criticism is evident through Heller’s depiction of the elements of war trauma and corruption.
paragraph one pt.1
The integration of both satire and realism is evident in Catch-22 through Heller’s depiction of Yossarian’s trauma. Prescott’s assertion is justified in Heller’s departure from traditional realism as Catch-22 includes satire, exaggeration, and farce. The integration of these elements is seen through Yossarian’s trauma, where the horrors of war collide with moments of absurdity. Yossarian’s visceral reactions, vividly depicted through Heller’s use of imagery, evoke a sense of surrealism amidst the grim realities of combat. For instance, Yossarian’s flashback to Snowden’s death, with its grotesque details of “Q1” pulsating, encapsulates the psychological toll of war with surreal intensity.
EVIDENCE TWO
This fusion of realism with elements of fantasy and exaggeration serves the heighten the reader's understanding of the absurdity inherent in wartime experiences.
Initially perceived as a farcical high-spirited scene, the atmosphere abruptly shifts as Yossarian, haunted by past horrors, threatens to “Q2]” and then feels “Q2”.
prompting readers to acknowledge the psychological toll of survival amidst the chaos of war.
EVIDENCE THREE
Additionally, Yossarian’s flashbacks to the death of Snowden are a vivid motif for all deaths in the novel.
profound impact it has on Yossarian. As Yossarian watches Snowden die, -
epistrophe to convey his realization of the devaluation of life in war by people in power: “Q3”.
Yossarian’s trauma, depicted with unflinching honesty, serves as a reminder of the human cost of war.
END PARAGRAPH ONE
depth and authenticity to the narrative, allowing readers to empathise with the protagonist’s plight.
Heller’s own experiences as a WWII veteran infuse the novel with a sense of authenticity, blurring the lines between fiction and reality.
LINK PARAGRAPH ONE
By interweaving elements of satire with profound insights into the human condition, Heller transcends the confines of conventional realism, offering readers a complex exploration of war and its consequences.
PARA 2 TOPIC SENTENCE
Corruption within Catch-22 is developed within the novel through Heller’s integration of satire and realism through Colonel Cathcart.
EVIDENCE FOUR
embodies the corrupt bureaucracy and self-serving nature prevalent during WWII.
exposes the hypocrisy and incompetence within the military hierarchy,
serves as a scathing commentary on the superficiality of authority figures amidst the chaos of war.
Heller uses irony to illustrate the incompetence and self-serving nature of certain authority figures in the novel.
This integrates the ridiculous with the flawed nature of the system.
EVIDENCE FIVE
hypocritical figure within the corrupt bureaucracy.
underscores his dehumanising and manipulative tendencies, all for his gain.
This satirical portrayal serves to highlight the stark contrast between Cathcart’s self-serving actions and the suffering endured by the soldiers under his command. -
enlisted men become expendable tools in the pursuit of power and personal interests.
EVIDENCE SIX
indifference to the death of Kid Sampson and McWatt.
The juxtaposition of tragedy with farce highlights the moral bankruptcy of those in power, thus reinforcing Prescott’s assertion regarding the novel’s departure from mere realism,
PARA 2 LINK
Heller’s purposeful representation of Colonel Cathcart as superficial, hypocritical, and careless through the use of satire is apt. This representation alongside the evident dehumanisation of the soldiers ultimately criticises corruption within Catch-22.
