Joseph HellerJoseph HellerBorn in 1923Born in 1923

Fought in WWII as a bombardierFought in WWII as a bombardierFor U.S.A.F. in Italy -- 3 yrs/60 missionsFor U.S.A.F. in Italy -- 3 yrs/60 missions

B.A. from NYU; MA from ColumbiaB.A. from NYU; MA from ColumbiaFulbright scholar @ OxfordFulbright scholar @ Oxford

Catch-22Catch-22

Published in 1961 after 8 years of workPublished in 1961 after 8 years of work Immediate commercial hit/mixed critical Immediate commercial hit/mixed critical

reviewsreviews The satire of war and military bureaucracy The satire of war and military bureaucracy

spoke to the disenchantment w/Vietnamspoke to the disenchantment w/Vietnam Heller created the term “Catch-22,” which Heller created the term “Catch-22,” which

has become part of our culture and lexiconhas become part of our culture and lexicon

Yossarian’s Flight ExperienceYossarian’s Flight Experience

Bomber in Flight

Bomber – Note the location of the “Bombardier’s Bubble”

A view of the bombardier in place. Notice the tight quarters!

Lead Bomber

“Waist” Gunners

Radio Gunner

The Bishop with a group of Army Chaplains

The SettingThe Setting

Pianosa

Avignon

Arrows indicate settings for our story

Major to the fourth powerMajor to the fourth power

Major Major is cursed by a strong resemblance to Henry Fonda (left), a famous movie star from the 20s and 40s

A little chronologyA little chronology

Boot Camp at Lowery Field, ColoradoBoot Camp at Lowery Field, Colorado Cadet Aviation School, Santa Ana, CACadet Aviation School, Santa Ana, CA Pianosa, ItalyPianosa, Italy

– Ferrara – Ferrara – around the target twicearound the target twice– ““Great Big Siege of Bologna”Great Big Siege of Bologna”– Avignon - Avignon - SnowdenSnowden

StructureStructure

déjà vu – watch for repeating scenes; déjà vu – watch for repeating scenes; when they repeat, note similarities and when they repeat, note similarities and differencesdifferences

Circular humor – pay attention to the Circular humor – pay attention to the “hook” in the scene“hook” in the scene

Satire – pay attention to the tone – is it Satire – pay attention to the tone – is it light hearted or dark or biting, etc.light hearted or dark or biting, etc.