Competition Is A Part Of Human Nature In Catch 22

Competition is a part of human nature, and there is no escaping it. “The cost of any kind of competition in human terms is incalculable” as well as incredibly unhealthy, according to Alfie Kohn, an author and lecturer. The anti-war book Catch-22, published by Joseph Heller in 1961, ironically takes place during World War II on the island of Pianosa located in the Mediterranean Sea. Catch-22 depicts several different characters and overall events that assist in helping to prove how competition is inevitably corrupt. An article by Donald Kovis, “The Invidious Nature of Competition”, also supports how competition contains an unescapable negative nature. Two of the supporting characters, General Dreedle and General Peckem, are seen to both have a continuing feud from the beginning of the book over Peckem’s lust for Dreedle’s rank of power. Following with the war they are involved in itself has a rivalry against the Axis. The war also is a cause for various other problems in the novel. Lastly,

“Instances of violence springing forth from trivial rivalries are…” seen throughout the novel (Kovis). From the bombing of the enemies, to General Dreedle requesting Chief White Halfoat to hit his son-in-law, random acts of violence from competition can be seen all over the novel. All of them have been provoked in one way or another of competition. Some other consequences that are developed by competition are how it has “…caused humans to go to war with one another—killing each other in the process” (Kovis). War is the catalyst to all of the competition between the characters, as well as many other problems. Because of the original competition of the World War II in the novel, many other instances of competition were created. Donald Kovis’ article provides substantial support of the depressing issues produced by