In ten pages Yossarian as the embodiment of a great American is examined in a character analysis of Heller's novel. Five sources are cited in the bibliography.
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hindsight, and if readers closely analyze what is actually being said, represented and done by Yossarian, then it is quite possible, one could say, to see Yossarian in a different
light. Joseph Yossarian is a squadron bombardier during World War II. Though he is a captain, it is clear that he detests the war and is more about the disgruntlement
of the institutions of various countries than the people themselves. He views this war as immoral and goes to extremes to prove his points. Many times he seems to be
out of his mind with paranoia, and one finds oneself not liking the man because, quite frankly, he makes some pretty level statements about the nature of war and of
man. His protests against Colonel Cathcart only serves to work against him, in the end, and instead of face an unjust court martial, he goes AWOL. Paranoid and odd, Yossarian
believes that everyone around him is trying to kill him. All Yossarian wants, as most of the men wanted, was to be sent home. Unfortunately, this is frustrated because
of his commander, Colonel Cathcart who is continually raising the number of required missions. After his flight mate and crew are killed
in a most hideous way, Yossarian pleads with Doc Daneeka to ground him on the basis of insanity. Doc Daneeka replies that Yossarians appeal is useless because, according to army
regulation Catch-22, insane men who ask to be grounded prove themselves sane through a concern for personal safety. Truly crazy people are those who readily agree to fly more missions.
The only way to be grounded is to ask for it. Yet this act demonstrates sanity and thus demands further flying. Crazy or not, Yossarian is stuck.