Style of the Opening: The opening of the novel introduces the reader to the paradoxical and ironic nature of this world. The amount of effort that was put into faking injuries to get out of fighting being broken by a single man with optimism just shows the hypocrisy and irony that continue to be themes throughout the book. This is the reader’s first example of a “Catch-22”, Which isn’t acknowledged until later chapters and adds to the irony of the situation. Effect on Reader: The heavy use of satire for such a conventionally serious topic can be somewhat jarring for the reader, but once later chapters in the novel are reached and the underlying themes become clearer and the situation becomes completely comical. The opening is something that can truly only be appreciated on a second or even third read. Style of the Ending: The ending of Catch-22 is the darkest part of the novel, as Yossarian finds himself so deep in despair that he completely leaves the war effort. This coupled with the true story of Snowden’s death act as a climax for the novel, and we find our narrator on the brink of giving into the bureaucracy he has scorned. The stabbing by Nately’s whore acts as a symbol of Yossarian’s moral obligation’s disdain for his choices. The compounding of all of these factors into one leave the reader being thrown into chaos, before finally reaching a resolve that fits with the ironic and satirical tone of the book.
