Free Catch-22 Essays: The Lunacies of Catch-22 :: Catch-22

The Lunacies of Catch-22 Joseph Heller, in his Catch-22, satirizes the lunacies and catches of war and the military. This world which Yossarian and Milo inhabit is a game to be played very carefully. That the craziness of war is a game can be supported by the fact that Milo and Yossarian both win, but each having and utilizing a different strategy. "Milo and Yossarian came from fundamentally different con-man traditions, both pressed into new extremes. The contrast in styles can be summed up by saying that Milo is serious but covert and that Yossarian is open but playful." Throughout the novel, Milo makes headway by his manipulations and fast talk. He makes himself invaluable to Colonel Cathcart by forcing him to realize that he is irreplaceable. He manipulates himself into a position of acting as a lifeline to the base by appealing to the weaknesses of his superior officers. Cunningly he maneuvers himself into power and becomes the most influential person in the entire scope of operations. However, he loses the sense of the game; he becomes so wrapped up in gaining position, he loses his sense of awareness and becomes singularly concerned with money and power. Yossaarian, on the other hand, remains openly defiant of the game but succeeds at it because of his playfulness. He attends a march stark naked, openly aborts missions, and obviously fakes illness to escape "the game." In doing this he makes his points and accomplishes his goals but only because of his playfulness. Yossarian made real headway upon his temporary repression of his ideals and principles but realizing his mistake changed his mind. He could not manipulate his beliefs as Milo does but could not advance with open, serious defiance and strict adherence to his principles. Yossarian sacrificed his only straightforward chance to escape