Corruption of Power in Catch 22 As an untraditional war novel, Joseph Heller’s Catch 22 portrays it’s protagonist, Yossarian, as an anti-hero in WWII, where he plays the role of an American air force bomber. Although it is a war novel, Catch 22 doesn’t focus on the aspect of the war’s combat or the protagonist’s newfound experiences in the war, but instead reflects a message about society by incorporating entities that represent societal issues that Heller wants acknowledged. Such themes in Catch 22 include individual vs. society, sanity vs. insanity, heroism, and the use of and meaning of absurdity language. The most commonly prioritized theme in Catch 22 is Yossarian’s desire to not fight the war, leading to his resistance against his
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Minderbinder begins the novel as a mess hall officer with the objective of obtaining the best meals to feed the squadron, which he accomplishes by trading eggs. He continued to trade various goods and had the men transport him and his goods all over the place since he claimed that his trade benefited all and he provided the squadron with their luxurious meals. Milo eventually forms a trade syndicate known as M&M Enterprises which he uses to amass huge profits internationally, claiming various titles throughout the world. What really shows his corruption through war profiteering is his dealings with the Germans, in which he bombed the American’s own air base in Pianosa, leading to numerous deaths of the soldiers and officers stationed there. Milo Minderbinder’s antics show how the corruption of power is caused by greed, which is exemplified through many of the characters in the military bureaucracy in Catch 22. Pinsker explains by stating that “Yossarian blames his sad fate on the greedy (consider a case in point, Milo Minderbinder, who turns war-profiteering into an empire). Nearly anybody in the top brass is also greedy” (Pinsker 138). He represents all the downsides of capitalism, since he is willing to sacrifice lives in order to make a profit and to trade goods. The desire and greed of men such as Colonel Cathcart (in wanting to become general) and Milo …show more content…
Following this deal, he is stabbed by Nately’s whore, returns to the hospital, and turns back on the Colonels’ deal since he refuses to disrespect the memory of his fallen friends. The chaplain informs him of Orr’s survival and escape, in which the book concludes with Yossarian’s desertion. Through persistent resistance of his commanding officer’s orders throughout the entire novel, Yossarian remains the only one left alive out of his original squadron of men. His pursuit of survival and unwillingness to participate towards the war effort because of the military’s corruption and his opposition towards the absurdity created by the corrupt characters demonstrates that Yossarian’s personal integrity is what separates him from any other character the novel and keeps him pure in the environment of insanity that persists throughout Catch 22. The corruption of power by the military authorities forces the characters in a constant struggle for survival against the bombing missions they are tasked to perpetually carry out. Colonel Cathcart’s constant raising of missions and jurisdiction of catch-22 creates the absurdity that the characters are in a constant state of, leading them to think irrationally and secretly accuse each other of insanity. Milo Minderbinder’s corruption manifests the issues of capitalism and how greed
Minderbinder begins the novel as a mess hall officer with the objective of obtaining the best meals to feed the squadron, which he accomplishes by trading eggs. He continued to trade various goods and had the men transport him and his goods all over the place since he claimed that his trade benefited all and he provided the squadron with their luxurious meals. Milo eventually forms a trade syndicate known as M&M Enterprises which he uses to amass huge profits internationally, claiming various titles throughout the world. What really shows his corruption through war profiteering is his dealings with the Germans, in which he bombed the American’s own air base in Pianosa, leading to numerous deaths of the soldiers and officers stationed there. Milo Minderbinder’s antics show how the corruption of power is caused by greed, which is exemplified through many of the characters in the military bureaucracy in Catch 22. Pinsker explains by stating that “Yossarian blames his sad fate on the greedy (consider a case in point, Milo Minderbinder, who turns war-profiteering into an empire). Nearly anybody in the top brass is also greedy” (Pinsker 138). He represents all the downsides of capitalism, since he is willing to sacrifice lives in order to make a profit and to trade goods. The desire and greed of men such as Colonel Cathcart (in wanting to become general) and Milo …show more content…
Following this deal, he is stabbed by Nately’s whore, returns to the hospital, and turns back on the Colonels’ deal since he refuses to disrespect the memory of his fallen friends. The chaplain informs him of Orr’s survival and escape, in which the book concludes with Yossarian’s desertion. Through persistent resistance of his commanding officer’s orders throughout the entire novel, Yossarian remains the only one left alive out of his original squadron of men. His pursuit of survival and unwillingness to participate towards the war effort because of the military’s corruption and his opposition towards the absurdity created by the corrupt characters demonstrates that Yossarian’s personal integrity is what separates him from any other character the novel and keeps him pure in the environment of insanity that persists throughout Catch 22. The corruption of power by the military authorities forces the characters in a constant struggle for survival against the bombing missions they are tasked to perpetually carry out. Colonel Cathcart’s constant raising of missions and jurisdiction of catch-22 creates the absurdity that the characters are in a constant state of, leading them to think irrationally and secretly accuse each other of insanity. Milo Minderbinder’s corruption manifests the issues of capitalism and how greed