Major Works Data Form Title:Catch-22 Biographical information about the author: Author:Joseph Heller Joseph Heller was born on May 1, 1923, and died on December 12, 1999. He fought in WWII and flew 60 bombadier missions. On one of those missions a tragic thing occured that made him become scared of flying altogether. He wanted to prove that he was scared so he took a boat home from Europe. The events that occured in WWII were the basis of his novelCatch-22. Other than Catch-22he also wroteSomething Happened, which was another one of his popular novel. Date of Publication:1961 Genre:Satirical war drama Historical information about the period of publication or setting of the novel: The book was published in 1961. It is not meant to convey thoughts on the World War II era, but rather reflect attitudes held during post-war America (ex: anti-war and antigovernment/bureaucracy beliefs)..Heller began to write the book in 1953. During this time, the House of Un-American Activities caused paranoia amongst many Americans, and stirred anti-bureaucratic feelings. Like many works of literature at the time the book had a very liberal tone, and satirized the contemporary establishment. It particularly targeted military bureaucracy, the senselessness of war, and the absurdity of the human condition. Characteristics of the genre: Often paradoxical and sad, producing the emotions of sadness and fear within the audience. Unlike a comedy, a tragedy usually leads to an inevitable and unfortunate ending.
Plot Summary: The novel does not flow in chronological order, but instead involves frequent flashbacks. Sound confusing? That's the idea – so is war. The first part concentrates on the narrative present, the second part on the scene of the Great Big Siege ofBologna, the third part returns to the present, the fourth part centers on the actions of Milo, and finally on Yossarian's escape from the military. Many of Yossarian's actions are in response to the death of a fellow soldier, or as a tactic to avoid flying dangerous missions. The Air Force administration's actions, on the contrary, are based on improving the ranks of the individual officers or making America look good in the war. Captain John Yossarian, the novel's protagonist, is a bombardier in the 256th Squadron of the Army Air Forces during World War II, stationed on Pianosa, a fictionalized island in the Mediterranean between mainland Italy and Corsica. The squadron's assignment is to bomb enemy positions in Italy and eastern France. It is the summer of 1944, but events of the novel arenottold in chronological order; sometimes time changes without warning. Most of the action takes place from spring through December of 1944, but there are flashbacks to 1942, when Yossarian was in basic training at Lowery Field in Colorado, and to 1943 when he was in cadet training at Santa Ana, California. The satirical novel is episodic and relies on character as much as it does on plot or theme.
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