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Catch-22

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Think about...
  • Who is the enemy?

  • The theme of images - what people really are as opposed to what they are supposed to be or appear to be and people who are hung up with their images.

  • Bologna - its function symbolically in the book.

  • The Syndicate - does it exist or not? Why does it work?

  • The dirty old man - Nately discussions.

  • The reoccurring Snowden dream and Orr's escape as the means to Yossarian's Existential awareness.

  • Analysis of the scene in which Yossarian poses as the dying son of a couple who have come to see their son. (pgs.188-191)

  • The non-existence of Mudd and Doc Daneeka who are not on rosters. How does this work existentially?

  • What is Catch 22? Examples of Catch 22 throughout the book.

  • Nately's whore's actions and the reasons for same from the moment Yossarian tells her that Nately is dead.

  • The gradual evolution of the book from funny to serious.

  • Analyze McWatt's killing of Kid Sampson. How does it happen? How and why do the people react to the pieces of Kid Sampson flying around? Why does McWatt kill himself?

  • The function of the hospital in Catch-22.

  • Discuss the Eternal City chapter and its function in the book.

  • The absurdity of the world of Catch-22 as indicated through reversal situations.

  • "Heavy" thoughts of Joseph Heller about things like life and choice as expressed through Yossarian.

  • How the names of the characters explain the characters.