Yossarian Character Analysis

Yossarian is a bombardier that is stationed in Pianosa during World War II. He relives many memories of his time in training in the U.S. in 1942 and 1943 and his times in war in 1944. His memories haunt him throughout the war, and as the novel goes on the description of these events become more and more morbid- revealing how soldiers in war realize the absurdity and lack of humanity in war over time. One of Yossarian’s main memories from training was Lieutenant Scheisskopf and his military parades. Every Sunday the men were required to perform in a military parade to win a simple pennant. He ignores his wife and all other obligations planning for the parade every week. Even when he wins the parade for swingless marching, no one cares. This …show more content…
One time, in order to stay longer, he pretended to be another soldier (that was dead) in order for the family to visit. Thus, he made a dirty deal with the doctor. On other occasions, he faked a liver impairment and “seeing everything twice”. It exemplifies how Yossarian is the only sane one, because he will do anything to escape combat missions. Early in Pianosa, Milo Minderbinder begins a business of selling eggs to himself from his company. He expands his business to selling everything, including attempting to sell chocolate-covered cotton. He bombs his own squadron at one point, when doing business with Germany. When the novel returns to the present, the story takes a darker, morbid turn. The chaplain becomes increasingly depressed, dreaming of his wife and children being killed and believing he is seeing visions of a naked man in a tree at Snowden’s funeral (actually Yossarian). As the novel turns dark and the spirit begins to die, Yossarian is wounded on a flight by being sliced in the leg with a piece of flak. Him and Dunbar both stay in the hospital. After saying that he dreamt of fish, Yossarian is assigned a psychiatrist, Major Sanderson. Yossarian tells him that he believes that the enemy is trying to kill him; Major Sanderson decides to send him home, because he is mentally insane. Due to a mix up, another soldier is sent

Show More

Related Documents: Yossarian Character Analysis

Character Analysis Of Yossarian In Catch 22