Mankind has always been in search of something more meaningful
than we can truly comprehend, when in actuality, there really isn't
anything we can truly comprehend to begin with. Mankind is plummeting
towards an unknown destiny of prosperity or devastation and there is truly
nothing we can do or say to stop whatever occurrence awaits us. Joseph
Heller brings us a little closer to our insane destiny with his novel Catch-
22 as he depicts grimly absurd scenes that are "all about a society that is
fast going insane", according to John W. Aldridge. Characters cursed with
savage physical desires and characters cursed with one-dimensional thoughts
are the basic make-up of this extremely intricate novel. The reader is
constantly aware of basic human desire, but then they're reminded of the
absurdity and pointlessness of the world in which they desire. Heller
highlights the essential nonsensicality of our existence through the use of
absurd, and yet somehow depressingly realistic circumstances that force the
reader into wondering why they go through so much trouble to exist in a
world that most certainly has no point.
Heller does an excellent job of highlighting the importance of
basic human desires, and they play a pivotal role in this novel. Heller
uses each of his characters to introduce a new desire and or physical need
that humans experiences in all phases of their lives. Hungry Joe represents
sexual desire, the Chaplain represents the desire for basic human
companionship, Milo depicts the desire for success and money, and so on and
so forth. Almost all of Heller's Characters are in search of something,
they all want to feel something or be a part of something in order to feel
connected to something. Yossarian is constantly falling in love because he
needs to feel that connection to another human being. Yossarian needs to
know that it is possible for two humans to connect in a way that ...