"Catch-22" by Joseph Heller is a seminal novel that explores a number of interlocking themes, resonating with readers both at the time of its publication in 1961 and enduring in discussions of literature and war. Here are the major themes explored in the novel: 1. **Absurdity of War**: The novel's most prominent theme is the absurdity and illogic of war. Heller depicts countless situations where the characters encounter paradoxical and nonsensical rules and bureaucracies. The very concept of "Catch-22"—a no-win situation where one cannot avoid consequences because of contradictory constraints—illustrates the absurdity faced by soldiers. 2. **Bureaucracy and the Unyielding Chain of Command**: Heller exposes the often ludicrous nature of military bureaucracy. Throughout the novel, characters must navigate an uncaring and impersonal chain of command that often seems to operate without common sense or acknowledgment of the human cost. 3. **The Individual vs. Society**: Many characters in the novel struggle against the forces of an impersonal society that seeks to suppress individuality. Protagonist Captain John Yossarian's attempts to maintain his autonomy are continually thwarted by the demands of the military and the war effort. 4. **The Futility and Mechanization of Life and Death**: Throughout the book, the value of human life is constantly undermined. The characters often view war as a random machine, churning through lives without purpose. The randomness with which death occurs reinforces this sense of futility. 5. **Sanity and Insanity**: "Catch-22" addresses the thin line between sanity and insanity. Heller suggests that in the madness of war, sanity becomes relative. Yossarian's efforts to preserve his life are seen as insane by his superiors, while the self-destructive compliance of his peers is regarded as rational. 6. **The Corrupting Influence of Capitalism and Corporate Power**: The character Milo Minderbinder, who runs an extensive black market enterprise, embodies the capitalistic impulse gone awry. Through Milo's actions, Heller critiques the way capitalism and corporate thinking can distort priorities and moral standards, even in wartime. The themes in "Catch-22" reflect the social and political climate of the late 1950s and early 1960s, particularly the growing disillusionment with governments and the skepticism about the bureaucracies of large institutions, including the military. While not written about the Vietnam War—it was published before that war escalated—the novel nonetheless captured the feelings of futility, moral confusion, and questioning of authority that became central to the mindset of many people during the Vietnam era. Moreover, with its anti-establishment sentiments, "Catch-22" resonated with the countercultural movements of the 1960s, challenging the status quo and encouraging individuals to think critically about societal norms and the true cost of war.