Yossarian-Character Sketch

The protagonist of "Catch-22", John Yossarian, turns out to be far from a typical character within the novel. Although considered to be insane by the men in his squadron, Yossarian's goal to avoid and escape war, makes him the most rational of the bunch. Through faking illnesses to escape the possibility of flying missions and eventually "walking away" from the war, Yossarian is able to escape the catch-22 that he confronts throughout the novel. That is, that life is not worth living without the concern for the well-being of others (those you care for), but this concern for others endangers ones own well-being. He constantly struggles with trying to avoid dangers, and trying to help others, by confronting those dangers, causing him to even consider himself insane. This struggle in logic thinking causes the other men who are truly the insane ones because of their illogical acceptance of war, to consider Yossarian a crazed man, and mark him an outsider. Although Yossarian's distinct personality in the novel cause us to expect something exceptional out of him, he turns out to almost become an anti-hero. By avoiding dangerous missions, and finding any excuse to escape war, he shows his "human" qualities, and denounces the notion of a "brave soldier." This helps us to see the truth in war, and havoc it has on the human mind and spirit. Yossarian sees his fear as healthy, and in a world where life is so casually lost and riddled with catch-22's that prevent any escape back into the sensical world, it is possible to redefine the term "hero" as simply; self-preservation. Although quirky, loud, and contemplative, Yossarian is far from the maniac the author, Joseph Heller, masks him to be. Making the reader look through the facade and eventually question the warped sense pride and bravery seen in war and the soldiers who fight it.