Catch-22 reveals how people viewed war in the Postmodern era. It depicted the rejection of war that catalyzed the Postmodern movement. Once viewed as honorable and patriotic, war was depicted as stupid, unheroic, and pointless. Heller depicts his ideas throughout the book:
"'Read me back the last line.'
'Read me back the last line' read back the corporal who could take shorthand.
'Not my last line, stupid!' the colonel shouted. 'Somebody else's.'
'Read me back the last line,' read back the corporal.
'That's my last line again!' shrieked the colonel, turning purple with anger.
'Oh, no, sir,' corrected the corporal, 'That's my last line. I read it to you just a moment ago. Don't you remember, sir? It was only a moment ago.'
'Oh, my God! Read me back his last line, stupid.'" (Heller)
The depiction of characters such as the colonel, supposedly patriotic and honorable, as angry idiots characterized war as stupid and pointless. The rejection of war was a central idea of Postmodernism. After World War I, people began to view their lives in a different way. The hatred of war catalyzed the rejection of the beliefs that were previously held. People no longer believed in progression or perfection; the universe was no longer objective. Society became more subjective and personal; everything turned towards the individual. This was reflected in the art, literature, and beliefs of the Postmodern era.
While The Wounded Soldier shows how people were beginning to view war as something horrible, Catch-22 not only continues that view of war, but also begins to rejection of war. Fight Club shows the society that emerges as a result.
Excellent use of text to support your point. Your analysis thus far has been meaningful and well connected to your main theme.
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