Satire In Catch 22

With cries of “to victory!” and “God bless America!” men go off to war; however, many could care less if their nation does win or lose or if America is indeed blessed by God. Indeed, few go to battle for the betterment of their country or people, but rather to achieve their own personal aspirations. As such is the case Joseph Heller’s war satire Catch-22: a novel that satirizes not only the nature of war, but those who fight in it. Although they are in the midst of a war, the enemies of Colonel Cathcart, Major Major, and Milo Minderbender are not those on the other end of the battle, but rather those who are directly hindering them from achieving their personal agenda. Firstly, Colonel Cathcart works aggressively to achieve his goal of becoming

Early on, Yossarian expresses confusion at Milo’s business practices stating that “[he] still didn’t understand either how Milo could buy eggs in Malta for seven cents apiece and sell them at a profit in Pianosa for five cents” (Heller 67). From this, it is evident that Milo’s main goal is creating a profit, by whatever unconventional means. As the story progresses, the intensity of Milo’s business ventures and Yossarian’s subsequent bewilderment only intensify. Milo moves on from eggs to chocolate covered cotton, and eventually that to bombing his own squadron. The last is too much for Yossarian, and with outrage he confronts Milo for his act of betrayal and involvement with the enemy. To Yossarians fury Milo cooly replies, “The Germans are not our enemies. Sure, we’re at war with them. But the Germans are also members in good standing of the syndicate, and it’s my job to protect their rights as shareholders. Maybe they did start the war, and maybe they are killing millions of people, but they pay their bills a lot more promptly than some allies of ours I could name.” Milo does not care which side he is on; the only side he is on is his own. The only side he is against is those who are currently not benefitting him. Despite the horrible things they’re doing, the German’s are not Milo’s enemies. Milo’s true enemies are those who limit his financial