Catch 22 And 1984 Comparison Essay

Hook. In George Orwell's 1984, the protagonist, Winston, lives in a future society, which is governed by "Big brother". This society is corrupt, and controls every aspect of life, even their thoughts. In Catch 22, by Joseph Heller, the protagonist, Yossarian, struggles with war, and the idea of the inevitability of death. Yossarian struggles against the war, and how the deaths of men are treated as nothing, how they are controlled by bureaucracy. Both these works show contrasting imagery, similar characters, and similar conflicts. These works show that if there is complete control in society, people will still rebel. Catch 22 and 1984, show the government controlling people in opposite ways, using opposite images. Catch 22 uses the image of the soldier in white to

Yossarian is a character who has decided to go against the authorities and leave the war. In Catch 22, Joseph Heller writes, "The enemy is anyone who's going to get you killed, no matter which side he is on". This shows that Yossarian is wary of everyone no matter which side, and that he has thoughts against authorities. Heller shows through Yossarian that, the fact that just because authorities are in charge, that does not mean they are on your side. In 1984, the government, ingsoc, is controlling and always watching, and they seem to be more evil and bad than the countries they are at war against. This creates a sense of unease and fear wherever you are, Orwell writes, "Winston turns his back to the telescreen. It was safer, though, as he well knew, even a back can be revealing." (Orwell 6). This shows that the government in 1984 is worthy of being weary of, they are dangerous, and they are the enemy. Winston is one of the people who are aware of this and it keeps him on edge. Both characters share this weariness of the government, and this makes the reader feel a sense weariness and fear towards their own