1 1. Heller Biography - Born May 1st, 1923 in Brooklyn, New York - His upbringing was very nonreligious, mostly concerned with more social reforms than religous observances - Father died when only five, critics say that is why most of his work has a death theme to it - Lived near Coney Island, comedic value - Enlisted in the Army, had a two year stint in the Mediterranean theatre, where he flew over 60 combat missions and was award an Air medal -Actual Military experience differed from Catch-22 2.Catch 22 ●Catch-22 was published in 1961, assured Heller’s place in literary history. ●Heller’s protagonist, a WWII pilot, recognizes that only an insane person would want to fly any more missions. However, when he tells his superiors this, they say that the fact that he wants to be grounded proves his sanity, so must keep flying. (Najarian) ●Over ninety characters and a such adisheveled chronology where entire chapters could be redacted and no reader would notice ●Popularity of the novel led to the use of the word "Catch-22" as a term to describe a situation that is bureaucratically impossible ●Recognized as a novel that examines the absurdity of war ●Later on, Heller was very vocal about his disapproval for the Vietnam War and Cold War Characteristics of Postmodern War Literature ●Deliver accounts of soldiers to the people in hopes of stirring up discontent with the war or raising questions about humanity ●All Quiet on the Western Front aimed to convey a very real, serious account of war time Characteristics of Postmodernism in Catch-22 ●No heroes ●Concern with individual in isolation ●Media culture interprets values ●Mixing of fantasy with nonfiction; blurs lines of reality for reader The Key to Understanding Catch-22 ●"The term absurd is applied to a number of works which have in common the sense that human condition is essentially absurd, and that this condition can be adequately represented only in works of literature that are themselves absurd." (Abrams) ●Our main character is Yossarian whose main goal is to stay alive throughout the war. He falls under the typical black humor character of a "naive, or inept character in a nightmarish modern world where he or she play out their roles in what would be called a tragic farce, which events are simultaneously comic, horrifying, and absurd" (Abrams) Antihero ●
Want to read all 3 pages?
Previewing 2 of 3 pages Upload your study docs or become a member.
Want to read all 3 pages?
Previewing 2 of 3 pages Upload your study docs or become a member.
End of preview
Want to read all 3 pages? Upload your study docs or become a member.