In times of war, it has been found that more soldiers return from combat with a mental illness than are killed in action. News reports tend to focus on the high rates of devastating casualties and physical injuries, while psychological disorders affect nearly one third of returning soldiers. There is no doubt that the scenes and situations endured by persons in action are capable of driving him or her to the point of insanity. If war is to be the end of mankind it will be due to the deterioration of the human psyche and the destruction of the highly-intelligent beings. Former United States President John F. Kennedy’s idea that “Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind,” (Kennedy) is supported by evidence from the events
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Insanity of a population begins with illiterateness, causing poor communication. "They 're trying to kill me," Yossarian told him calmly. "No one 's trying to kill you," Clevinger cried. "Then why are they shooting at me?" Yossarian asked. "They 're shooting at everyone,” Clevinger answered. "They 're trying to kill everyone." Yossarian 's logic contradicts the general conceptions of enemies and war. He correctly notes that they all are trying to kill him. However, he fails to see that they are all the enemy of the group of American soldiers, of which he is a member. Yossarian 's logic would be perfectly rational if taken out of the context of war. This, then, points to the absurdity and horror of war itself. He fails to communicate his reasons clearly for his irrational fear of the enemy. The fact that all he can do is reiterate the fact that he is afraid shows an inability to elaborate due to a dwindling mental capacity that is no doubt a result of his time on duty. Another example of a failure to elaborate happens as Orr explains why he put crabapples in his cheeks, answering Yossarian only with, “Because they have a better shape than horse chestnuts.” Yossarian’s insistence to find the answer to the question is crazy in of itself. Having these two men discuss and argue such a moot subject during a time of war demonstrates their mental casualties as is happening to the …show more content…
Kennedy’s idea that, “mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind” in the fact that war destroys the human mind. In war, as illustrated by the novel, absurdity and miscommunications are critically and negatively affected due to the deteriorating cognitive abilities of the soldiers. This deterioration of the mind is certainly due to horrific experiences of the men in combat. Also showing the damage of the men’s brains is their reversion to more primitive thought process in how they mistake love for lust. For the men in Catch-22, the war has left them with insanity not diagnosable by a doctor, but for real returning soldiers the mental illnesses are innumerable. War will surely be the end to mankind if long-lasting peace is not established on this
Insanity of a population begins with illiterateness, causing poor communication. "They 're trying to kill me," Yossarian told him calmly. "No one 's trying to kill you," Clevinger cried. "Then why are they shooting at me?" Yossarian asked. "They 're shooting at everyone,” Clevinger answered. "They 're trying to kill everyone." Yossarian 's logic contradicts the general conceptions of enemies and war. He correctly notes that they all are trying to kill him. However, he fails to see that they are all the enemy of the group of American soldiers, of which he is a member. Yossarian 's logic would be perfectly rational if taken out of the context of war. This, then, points to the absurdity and horror of war itself. He fails to communicate his reasons clearly for his irrational fear of the enemy. The fact that all he can do is reiterate the fact that he is afraid shows an inability to elaborate due to a dwindling mental capacity that is no doubt a result of his time on duty. Another example of a failure to elaborate happens as Orr explains why he put crabapples in his cheeks, answering Yossarian only with, “Because they have a better shape than horse chestnuts.” Yossarian’s insistence to find the answer to the question is crazy in of itself. Having these two men discuss and argue such a moot subject during a time of war demonstrates their mental casualties as is happening to the …show more content…
Kennedy’s idea that, “mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind” in the fact that war destroys the human mind. In war, as illustrated by the novel, absurdity and miscommunications are critically and negatively affected due to the deteriorating cognitive abilities of the soldiers. This deterioration of the mind is certainly due to horrific experiences of the men in combat. Also showing the damage of the men’s brains is their reversion to more primitive thought process in how they mistake love for lust. For the men in Catch-22, the war has left them with insanity not diagnosable by a doctor, but for real returning soldiers the mental illnesses are innumerable. War will surely be the end to mankind if long-lasting peace is not established on this