Catch-22 Essay

While reading Catch-22 I found my self having feelings of compassion towards Yossarian, a bombardier who claims he is insane to get out of the bombing runs, but because he's insane the military thinks he is perfect for the job, because only crazy people would do bombing runs. It is though through symbols and a satirical tone that Joseph Heller incorporates in Catch-22 that creates a sense of compassion among the reader.   

            With the help of imagery feelings of compassion conflagrate throughout the audience/reader. A great example of a symbol that Heller uses is the soldier in white, a man wrapped in bandages who has fluids that recycle through him nonstop. The soldier in white symbolizes how ridiculous wars is and also shows the allows the readers to get a little inside Heller's mind and how he views war. Another example of symbol in Catch-22 is the death of Snowden briefly mentioned through out the book, it isn't until the explanation of his death that the climax is reached in Catch-22.

            Heller also incorporates  a satirical tone, which helps influence the readers feelings towards war. Heller never states out what's funny in the novel and instead states everything that is bizarre. For instance, Hungry Joe has an odd phobia of cats and it just so happens that one of his squad members has a cat. One night the cat lays down on Hungry Joe's face, suffocating him. Joe was presumed that he died in his sleep.  Heller also uses satirical tone in the dialogue.  For example, The officer states, "We accuse you also of the commission of crimes and infractions we don't even know about yet. Guilty or Innocent?" This continues through out the book, but really creates a bridge to the authors thoughts.

            Without the use of imagery or a satirical tone this book would really struggle to convey the authors thoughts and/or opinions. It is with these two literary elements that creates a sense of compassion towards Yossarian being stuck in the war, and to others whom are currently in a war. Joseph Heller really knows how to use pathos!