Symbolism In Joseph Heller's Catch-22

The deadliest conflict in human history, also referred to as the Second World War, took place from 1939 to 1945, and was known by such a bold title, as it was comprised of events that lead to the immense death count of civilians and soldiers. The book Catch-22 written by Joseph Heller tells the story of Yossarian, a 28-year-old bombardier from the 256th Squadron of the US Air Force, trying to avoid flying any more combat missions. The novel takes place on Pianosa, a small Italian island not far from Rome, in the year of 1944, nearly at the end of the Second World War. Focusing on the Italian Campaign that occurs during this time, he mentions Rome and includes two raids in Bologna, which set up the plot and lead to the development of Yossarian as a character. As the events parallel those of Heller’s …show more content…
Taking place at the end of World War 2 in Pianosa, a small Italian island not far from Italy, the geography of the story outlines the main events in the story. Even a small island, unaccounted by most, made a contribution to campaigns in World War II, as well as the development of Yossarian. A major location, Bologna, is where the two raids, that Yossarian has to partake in, take place. The first mission to Bologna was one that he tries to delay, as in the middle of the night, “Yossarian knocked on wood, crossed his fingers, and tiptoed out of his tent to move the bomb line up over Bologna” (156). The bomb line is a ribbon on the map, showing the Allied troops’ farthest advance. Since no bombs are to be dropped south of it, Yossarian moves the line north of Bologna, causing temporary confusion, before the officers reschedule the mission. Not only did this determine the start of this mission, but physical geography, like heavy rainstorms, delay the start of the bombing, and the pilots hope the rains will never stop. From this scene, it is not only seen that geography makes a difference between starting a conflict and