The Effectiveness of the Satiric Writing Style in the Novel Catch 22

A satiric style of writing is an ideal way of ridiculing and exposing absurdities in war situations. The book Catch-22 exposes the absurdities of war and bureaucracy. Catch-22 is based on WWII, Captain John Yossarian who is a bombardier. The novel is set on a fictional land called Painosa and Rome. Heller uses satire and black humour to bring to light the many injustices that happen in war. Heller utilises black humour by making light of serious situations. Poking fun at various dire situations which might even death. This style of writing is beneficial as it grabs the attention of the reader and later on reveals the grotesqueness of the situations. Joseph Heller addresses the inhumaneness of authority figures in war and the greed of authority figures like Colonel Cathcart. He exposes these by taking a comedy approach which leaves the reader with an exercised funny bone. Heller uses irony, satire and black humour to reveal these injustices. In this essay the following is discussed: absurdities of nonsensical bureaucratic processes; the irony of the idiom ‘catch 22’; and the humorous irony of Yossarian.

Yossarian because of his paranoia reveals that the enemy is not just the opposing country; but everyone who is trying to kill him. Instead of him being patriotic he expresses fear of death in many ways. Which constitutes Yossarian an ironic character; as soldiers are supposed to be brave and seek an honourable death. As an anti-heroic protagonist, Yossarian constantly avoids death. Thus Yossarian can be labelled as a paranoid soldier which is funny oxymoron.

Heller exposes the irresponsible appointing of officials with no consideration of the abilities of those appointees. Major Major is appointed as a Major but he is clearly not prepared for that responsibility. It is evident in the strange manner in which he does his job. Heller writes that Major Major can only meet people when he is not in; when he is truly in no one can enter his office. He even wears a moustache and glasses to disguise himself. It is a silly way of avoiding to do his work.

Heller pokes fun at the nonsensical logic in the army. Yossarian as paranoid as he is tries to opt out of flying more missions. According to the administration he must be crazy to be grounded (exempted from flying); but if he asks to be grounded that proves that he is not insane. Those who experience near death experiences are insane by continuing flying. In a nutshell he must be crazy to keep flying and to be grounded he must be crazy. Therefore, it is a catch 22 situation. The irony in Cartch-22 outlines many of the injustices and inhumane practices that happen in a war. The ironies are funny at face value but when pondered upon serious issues are being addressed. The title of the novel is idiomatic; the irony in the title addresses the motif of bureaucratic absurdity. What further contributes to the irony in the novel is Yossarrian’s anti-war and anti-heroic sentiments which gives a humorous and ironic counterpoint to the tragedy of war, states Knezevic. Therefore, Heller shows how the military bureaucratic system is flawed.

Knezevic states that the title Catch-22 is ironic on its own as it is a fictional bureaucratic stipulation which is a catch that is codified with a number; indicating the balderdash stipulations which are approved in a war. “This is how the military police ironically explain ‘catch-22’: “Catch-22 states that agents enforcing Catch-22 need not prove that Catch-22 actually contains whatever provision the accused violator is accused of violating”. Also, another provision states: “Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can’t stop them from doing”. The irony of the eponymous ‘catch-22’, a recurring motif in the story, thus presents the main theme of the novel.” Yossarian seeking to be grounded (cease from flying) enquires and finds out he must be crazy to be grounded. However only crazy people will be brave enough to fly again after a near death experience. Therefore, when he asks to be grounded then that proves that he is sane. This catch 22 stipulation is humorous yet it highlights the absurdity of the bureaucracy in war.

Therefore, Heller’s satiric writing style and his use of black humour is a good way of exposing injustices in an entertaining fashion. Thus Heller is labelled a black humourist due to his dark themes such as WWII and death. Thus the fun to read novel Catch-22 is ideal for a laugh and deep emotive contemplation.

Reference List

• Heller, J. 1962. Catch-22. Great Britain: Johnathan Cape.
• Knezevic, M. 2011. Postmodern irony and humor in “Catch 22” by Joseph Heller and their parallels in postmodern music art. Belgrade English Language and Literature Studies, 3(1):229-247.