Critical Response To Catch 22
Catch-22 is a satirical novel written by Joseph Heller and published in 1961. The novel is set in Pianosa during World War II. The main character, Yossarian, finds himself caught in the war, which he cannot escape because the number of missions required for him to fly always increases when he arrives at the previous number. Throughout Catch-22, Heller manages to maintain a comical storyline while also attacking many different established normalcies within American society such as military ranks, government subsidies, religion, and war itself. The novel is extremely effective because Joseph Heller uses many of his personal experiences from World War II. These aspects of the piece both highlight the deep sadness that they caused him and also the
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Critical Analysis of Theme
Joseph Heller wanted to highlight the negative aspects of wars in his novel Catch-22. In order to do this, he used satire throughout his work to show the idiocracy of both systems.
While focusing his efforts on these two main issues, Heller still managed to use satire to attack other areas of America as well.
4. Analysis of Critical Responses
On November 11, 1961, The New York Times printed an advertisement that was five columns wide and had the caption: WHAT’S THE CATCH? It was the official announcement ad for Catch-22 and it contained mentions of praise from twenty-one individuals and groups of some public standing (Heller-Preface). One of the first reviews was done in The Nation. In it, Nelson Algren wrote that Catch-22 “was the best novel to come out of anywhere in years” (Algren). These initial reviews were mostly positive, however there were many people throughout the country that did not think the book was as good as critics were claiming it to be. In fact, one critic by the name of Orville Prescott called Catch-22: “A dazzling performance that will outrage nearly as many readers as it delights” (Prescott). Prescott’s review is a good indication of how controversial the novel can
Critical Analysis of Theme
Joseph Heller wanted to highlight the negative aspects of wars in his novel Catch-22. In order to do this, he used satire throughout his work to show the idiocracy of both systems.
While focusing his efforts on these two main issues, Heller still managed to use satire to attack other areas of America as well.
4. Analysis of Critical Responses
On November 11, 1961, The New York Times printed an advertisement that was five columns wide and had the caption: WHAT’S THE CATCH? It was the official announcement ad for Catch-22 and it contained mentions of praise from twenty-one individuals and groups of some public standing (Heller-Preface). One of the first reviews was done in The Nation. In it, Nelson Algren wrote that Catch-22 “was the best novel to come out of anywhere in years” (Algren). These initial reviews were mostly positive, however there were many people throughout the country that did not think the book was as good as critics were claiming it to be. In fact, one critic by the name of Orville Prescott called Catch-22: “A dazzling performance that will outrage nearly as many readers as it delights” (Prescott). Prescott’s review is a good indication of how controversial the novel can