Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

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Catch-22 Essay
At what point do the qualities of an antihero become heroic? Joseph Heller’s Catch-22 follows the experiences of protagonist and noted antihero Captain John Yossarian, a bombardier of the 256th Squadron of the Air Force stationed on the island of Pianosa during World War II. Frequently opposed by the immoralities and illogic of war and military bureaucracy and haunted by the deaths of men in his squadron, Yossarian is overcome by the paranoia that “they‘re trying to kill [him]” (26), and constantly avoids his militant duties in effort to stay alive. Due to his seemingly foremost concern of self-preservation, avoidance of responsibilities and cowardice, Yossarian is commonly perceived as an antihero. However, the goodness of his character is revealed through his moral consideration of others, the way his fellow men admire him, and his reactions to the corruption he discovers in the military system. Thus, although Yossarian does not possess the typical characteristics of a traditional hero, his inherent concern for the well-being of others and defiant acts ultimately prove his heroism.
Yossarian’s refusal to fly the ever-rising amount of missions and his reputation with the other men in his squadron show the heroic qualities of his actions. At first, his avoidance of combat seems merely self-centered, as the war is not something he believes in. When Yossarian has his traumatic experience trying to save Snowden in which he realizes that “man is matter” (450), his motives broaden as he realizes how fragile life is. Not only is he practicing self-preservation by refusing to fly, which can be seen as a heroic act in itself in a situation where life is so undervalued, but he is also refusing to kill and risk the lives of ...

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...pist, the honorable motives behind his fleeing are what make the act so heroic.
Before he takes off, Danby asks Yossarian how he feels, to which he responds, “fine. No, I‘m very frightened,” and Danby replies, “that’s good… It proves you’re still alive” (463). This reminder brings back the point of Snowden’s message: “man was matter… The spirit gone, man is garbage” (450). Still alive, still full of spirit and courage, Yossarian makes the jump to protect his honor and that of his fellow men, which truly marks his heroism. Despite his escapist characteristics, Yossarian’s actions upon the illogic he encounters in the novel highlight his heroic qualities, as does his harboring concern for the well-being of others throughout his experiences. Yossarian proves his worth as a hero through his logic, compassion and, in the end, even self-sacrifice for the sake of justice.

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