Why Should Catch 22 Be Banned

In perhaps one of the most representative and thought provoking novels about the World War II era, Catch-22, by Joseph Heller, brought on much controversy surrounding its release. Based on Heller’s own war experiences in World War II, Catch -22 expresses the true realism surrounding war and its gruesome nature. Expressing war without extra ornamentation or storytelling, Catch -22, describes the violence, lunacy, and conflict with authority in war. Arousing critics and readers of the time, Catch-22, sparked conflict regarding whether it was too controversial as a “bare-bones” war novel and the derogatory perspective on sexual encounters within it. Although some readers believe that Catch- 22 should be banned due to is controversial elements

In the 256th squadron which Yossarian belongs to, stationed on an island near Italy, he and his fellow soldiers are consistently oppressed by their commanding officer. After Yossarian remarks that he should be able to go home after completing the required number of missions, he hears word that another fifteen missions are required (48). Whenever a certain amount of missions is to be completed, the commanding officer consistently raises the bar before the soldiers can stop going on their bombing missions. Throughout the novel, the phrase “Catch- 22”, importantly the title of this novel, serves to represent the oppressive nature of the bureaucratic structure of command instituted upon Yossarian and his fellow squadron members. Daniel Green also notes the oppressive nature of the phrase “Catch-22”, and believes that “Catch-22” means that, “You've always got to do what your commanding officer tells you to;” “Catch-22” insists that Group approve the actions of its subordinates. It is this simple, and this terrible. “Catch-22” means whatever “they” want it to mean.” (143) Yossarian and his fellow squadron members are subjugated to the subjective phrase of “Catch-22”. He and his friends are eternally oppressed by their command, and therefore this phrase has the connotation of oppression. The phrase “Catch-22” has now become commonplace in urban language as a

Yossarian embodies the nature of what Heller believes an armed forces individual faces every day in a satirical manner, and serves to develop the novel in the same regard in which Heller experienced war first hand, even though some of this novel is fictitious. Catch- 22 is not another cookie- cutter war novel, but is culturally relevant to every American individual as it evoked a new movement of anti-war isolationism in the 20th century, and as it expresses the themes and emotions of what it means to fight for one’s country. The ideas of emphasizing one’s own perspective and beliefs further connects to this notion as this democratic ideal is one by which America was founded upon, over two centuries ago. While some may believe that Catch- 22 as a novel is derogatory and gross with its portrayal of women, reading this novel allows an individual to become more culturally proficient in their daily language. When conflicted with a tough problem or challenge with no apparent solution, one can say they are in a “Catch- 22”… but can also recite the cultural significance of the phrase to their favorite English teacher for extra