Morality In Joseph Heller's Catch 22

In a situation devoid of any strict set of values and standards, no one is impervious to shifting morals. In Joseph Heller's Catch 22, each character faces a predicament of whether, when indulging in some sort of self-interest, they will care for or disregard others. In the midst of death and uncertainty, Yossarian tries to hold onto his humanity as a way of maintaining his morality while those around him either die because of others or fall into their own selfishness. Yet, while he fears death and the dehumanization of war, he does not forfeit the lives of others in exchange of his own.

Milo engages in his own selfishness with the cost of other lives. While everyone else is busy fighting the war and risking his life, Milo expands

While at first he tries to help the men through conventional paths, he realizes that this tactic does not work. Out of desperation, he begins to tell lies and breaks his initial moral code. Telling the doctors he has Wisconsin Shingles, the Chaplain realizes the effectiveness of lying. Reminiscent of Yossarian at the beginning of the novel lying about his liver, the Chaplain abandons his ideology and "it was good" (363). While the Chaplain does not continue with lying, this crisis of faith prompts him to think about what he can actually do to help others. Devastated by Nately's death, the Chaplain decides to confront his superiors because "he was not going to stand for it anymore" (387). Even though he has just been interrogated and intimidated by Colonel Korn, he refuses to bow down to his authority anymore. While the Chaplain loses hope when Korn shuts him down, he finally regains his strength with the knowledge that Orr is alive and there is hope. Encouraging Yossarian to leave, the Chaplain promises to "stay here and persevere" (453), confident and ready to stand up to the superiors. While Yossarian neither engages in the morality of the Chaplain or Milo's lack of morality, he allows his self-perseverance to guide his actions while always keeping in mind the humanity of