Daneeka and thoughtful frivolity in catch 22

Novel, Satire

George Meredith when reasoned, “The true check of comedy is that this shall awaken thoughtful fun. ” The value of pushing thoughtful laughter in comedy lies in it is ability to humorously provoke representation of a few greater idea or topic. In the dark funny Catch-22, Paul Heller delivers witty writing and actions alongside significant themes, a combination that sets off this kind of “thoughtful laughter”. Especially, the hilarious confusion and frustration adjacent the assumed death of Doc Daneeka markedly results in this concept. Even though the ludicrousness in the humorous scene may seem trivial in regards to the development of the plot, Likas? incites representation on the two power of recognized documents plus the dehumanization of soldiers by the inhumane officers.

Heller uses the scene as a way to reveal that during a moments of war, assertions that are drafted on a type hold a significantly greater importance over the actuality of the situation. In fact , the confusion around the death of Hello Daneeka is derived from Sergeant Towser and the Conflict Department’s unwillingness to accept reality over what is shown within the flight records. “With lips still quiver, Towser went up and trudged outside reluctantly to break unhealthy news to Gus and Wes, discreetly avoiding virtually any conversation with Doc Daneeka himself when he moved by flight doctor’s slight sepulchral figure” (Heller 340). Towser acknowledges Daneeka’s existence, yet he eludes taking action because Daneeka “gave just about every indication of proving a still thornier administrative issue for him” (340). Additionally to Towser’s recorded reason for ignoring Doc Daneeka, Mrs. Daneeka struggles with reports. An illegible notice from her husband gave the woman wish after receiving a War Section telegram that her spouse had been killed in action. Ultimately, though, she turns her “woeful screams of lamentation” (341) to delight over her newly found wealth from your numerous insurance benefits as she begins to accept the War Department’s continual refusal. In a last and emotional letter via Doc Daneeka, he pleads for his wife to acknowledge his existence, however , this is right away countered by Colonel Cathcart’s overly universal response:

“Dear Mrs., Mister., Miss, or Mr. and Mrs. Daneeka:

Phrases cannot express the profound personal grief I skilled when your spouse, son, dad or brother was slain, wounded or reported missing in action” (344).

This constant battle involving the blemished and poignant words that evidently come from an emotional Daneeka and the detached responses from your bureaucracy, while ridiculous in nature, will serve to illuminate a significant theme inside the novel: the ability that documentation has over humanity. On a broad range of the novel, Catch-22 is merely documentation that may or may not possibly exist, although certainly dictates the activity of the soldiers. For that reason scene’s meaning within the text, the audience is able to elaborate on the humor by simply questioning or perhaps confirming the veracity of Heller’s state about standard documentation, thereby awakening innovative laughter.

This chapter as well elicits thoughtful laughter due to Heller’s affectation of the dehumanization of the military. Colonel Cathcart’s inhumane character is particularly targeted through his letter to Mrs. Daneeka. One would anticipate that the group commander of the man killed would set a more concerned notification rather than these kinds of a perfunctory and normal sentence. This kind of letter much more significant from the point of view that through it enables Heller to convey the impression that the officers treat the soldiers such as a collective number of unknown organizations. By doing so, Heller advances the message the fact that unit in power, such as the officers, goodies its underlings with no compassion. This administration even extends to the category of the troops, as Mrs. Daneeka equals her hubby to the economic benefits the lady receives from the government and insurance companies. This kind of inhumane treatment from a spouse of the supposedly wiped out man displays how all individuals beyond the immediate anxiety about the military have an computerized response to the soldiers. This kind of illogical notion encourages the reader to recognize such a problematic system, or even cogitate home.

Daneeka’s believed death stretches much farther than a conference sparked simply by misunderstanding. Likas? depicts every element of the specific situation in order to add a deeper which means of the plan. Details about Towser’s conflicting thoughts and actions, Mrs. Daneeka’s fading response, and the Warfare Department and Cathcart’s inhumanity all play a part in Heller’s message regarding the insanity the soldiers faced. While on the surface the event comes across as being a frustrating misperception, the thought behind the section extends into fundamental understandings of Heller’s message.