The term 'Catch-22' originates from Joseph Heller's novel of the same name, published in 1961. It is a satirical depiction of World War II, focusing on a group of American airmen stationed in the Mediterranean. The term has come to be synonymous with a paradoxical situation from which an individual cannot escape because of contradictory rules or limitations. In Heller's book, 'Catch-22' refers to a specific regulation governing the lives of the bomber pilots. The rule stipulates that a pilot who is crazy can be grounded and excused from flying bombing missions, which are perilous. However, to be grounded, the pilot must request this relief, and by showing concern for their safety (and therefore making this request), they are considered sane and are not grounded. On the other hand, if a pilot does not request to be grounded, they must continue flying missions. In this case, their lack of concern for their personal safety could indicate insanity; but by not asking to be grounded, they demonstrate sanity and are ineligible for relief. This circular logic is Catch-22, and it is no real choice at all because the outcome is pre-determined by the illogical rule. The phrase "Catch-22" has entered common vernacular to describe any no-win situation or a problem where the solution is negated by the problem itself. Throughout the novel, 'Catch-22' is emblematic of many rules and bureaucratic operations that are absurd or contradictory, leading to illogical, unjust, and often humorous situations that trap the characters. The characters' experiences are shaped largely by their futile attempts to navigate these paradoxes in pursuit of survival, sanity, or basic common sense. The novel uses 'Catch-22' not only as a plot device but also as a critical commentary on the absurdity of bureaucratic systems, the brutality and inhumanity of war, and the struggle of the individual to maintain autonomy and rationality in the face of overwhelming institutional power. It effectively captures the absurdity and horror of war while critiquing the institutions and thinking that create such Catch-22 situations. Thus, an understanding of the meaning of 'Catch-22' is key to understanding both the novel's narrative and its existential and philosophical underpinnings.