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The Importance Of Point Of View In Joseph Heller's Catch 22

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Point of view has a lot of impact on how you perceive the world. The reasons for seeing the world the way you see is because of what happened to you and your close one’s life. In Catch 22, not every character agrees on how they should view the system of the war they are in is good or bad and if the purpose of the war is for the better or worse. Through the use of the character Yossarian, the author, Joseph Heller, shows the reader that the world is an unending cycle of deaths and dangers until you can escape it. Yossarian asked to be grounded and sent home to Doc Daneeka, however he isn't allowed to do so. "There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one's own safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind. Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and as soon as he did, he would no longer be crazy and would have to fly more missions." With this catch being the system, no one will able to go home because there is no way out. All the characters will always be in danger because they can't go home and eventually die fighting in the war. Being able to ask for what you want means you are not crazy but if you can't ask, you …show more content…

After flying all the requirements, they were to be sent home. ““The fifty -five missions the colonel now wants all of you to fly.” Yossarian winced. Colonel Cathcart has raised him again.” Flying missions is always one step towards death. The more they fly the closer and higher chances that they will die. However, General Cathcart kept on increasing the numbers after each requirements have been met by some soldiers. Cathcart wonders whether constantly increasing the number of missions really is a bad strategy. But not for long: he believes that keeping the men in check is his greatest achievement, and that he should increase the mission requirements

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