Relationships and Conflicts
Yossarian is in continual conflict with Catch-22, a vague military policy which his superiors use to justify many of their illogical demands.
The bulk of Catch-22 concerns Yossarian's relationships with the other officers in his squadron, such as the neurotic Hungry Joe, the war profiteer Milo, the idealistic Nately and selfish Doc Daneeka. There are many characters that Yossarian hates and likes. His best friends seem to be Dunbar, the Chaplain, Nately, Hungry Joe, McWatt and Orr. There are two characters with whom Yossarian argues but he is greatly saddened when Clevinger and Orr disappear. He hates the majority of his superiors for continually putting him in harm's way, especially the sadistic Joe McCarthy-like careerist Captain Black and the egomaniacal Colonel Cathcart, who continually raises the number of missions required before the aircrews can rotate back home as well as volunteering his aircrews for the most dangerous missions, in an attempt to make himself look good to his superiors.
Yossarian shows particular grief for the men that die during the novel, particularly Snowden, McWatt, Nately, Dobbs and Hungry Joe or those who appear to disappear; Orr, Clevinger and Dunbar. His relationship with the enlisted gunner Snowden is vivid and is the emotional center of the book. When Snowden gets injured over Avignon, it is Yossarian who tries to help him, only to watch him die a revolting death.
Read more about this topic: Yossarian, Character Sketch, Catch-22
Famous quotes containing the word conflicts:
“Not all conflicts between siblings are good, of course. A child who is repeatedly humiliated or made to feel insignificant by a brother or sister is learning little except humiliation and shame.”
—Lawrence Kutner (20th century)