Catch-22 Essay

I. Introduction
1.1 Introduction to the Topic
This research work is an attempt to prove John Yossarian, the protagonist, as an antihero in Joseph Heller's novel Catch-22.Yossarian is engaged in a struggle with the entrenched army culture and with examination of his own conflicting feelings about war and the role of the soldier. His existence centered around comic vitality, hypocrisy and dissatisfaction with the people where he is surrounded. He is not morally upstanding. His quest is not altruistic; he is in self serving moves. Thus, he lacks the attributes of the traditional heroic protagonist who is known for his deeds of bravery, generosity and goodness.
Catch-22, published in 1961, is a story about Yossarian, who is a captain in the Air Force and a leading bombardier in his squadron and his attempt to avoid serving in World War II by feigning insanity. His appearance, his accomplishment and his talent are absolutely unremarkable. He desperately tries to avoid the combat mission on different pretexts. He doesn't risk his life to save others; in fact, his primary goal throughout the novel is to avoid risking his life whenever possible.
He has no courage to show his revolt in front of his senior officers. He channels and diverts his anger humorously by himself or with the junior staff. Sometimes, he appeals to the doctor to approve him as if he is insane. He says nothing against increased mission during briefing.
Yossarian demonstrates his contempt about military bureaucracy and war. From the very beginning of the novel, he disagrees to fly more missions and feigns insanity. He always thinks to save his life. Although, his professional integrity demands to fight against the enemies to save the nation, his motto quite contrary to this throughout the novel. Being a captain, he has to show his hatred towards the authority but he does never because of his antiheroic characteristics. Since the novel deals with an antiheroic issue, it deserves genuine discussion....