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Yossarian Lives!

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Yossarian lives! Supervisor: Camelia Elias Authors: Karl Emil Hillbrandt: 49402 Jannick Franck: 49493 Mikkel Svanborg: 49779 Louise Kjær Svendsen: 46461 Helle Castella Thomsen: 46295 Spring semester K1 - English Total number of characters: 130.547 Figure 1 FrontPage image taken from: http://www.scoopwhoop.com/inothernews/books-everyone-must-read/ Page 1 of 64 Indhold Abstract .......................................................................................................................... 3 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 4 Catch-22: Summary and Structure............................................................................. 5 Methodology .................................................................................................................. 7 Theory ............................................................................................................................ 9 Incongruity ................................................................................................................. 9 Satire ........................................................................................................................ 12 Black Humour .......................................................................................................... 13 The Absurd............................................................................................................... 19 Analysis........................................................................................................................ 23 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 23 Business ................................................................................................................... 26 Patriotism ................................................................................................................. 28 Authority and Hierarchy .......................................................................................... 39 Identity and the Self ................................................................................................. 45 Religion .................................................................................................................... 51 Truth and reality ....................................................................................................... 53 Interim Conclusion................................................................................................... 58 Discussion .................................................................................................................... 59 Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 62 Bibliography ................................................................................................................ 63 Books: .................................................................................................................. 63 Web sources ......................................................................................................... 64 Articles: ................................................................................................................ 64 Page 2 of 64 Abstract This paper attempts to uncover the use of humour within the 1961 novel, Catch-22, by Joseph Heller. Specific examples of humour will be analysed and categorised into themes that the novel deals with, such as: authority, patriotism, religion, truth and meaning. Several academic works will be implemented in order to gain a higher understanding of the subject as well as a platform from which an analysis and discussion will emerge. These works concern particular subtypes of humour, in this case absurdism, black humour and satire. In the discussion, we will discuss how humour is utilised in a novel about the stupidity of war and people in power. We found the humour is used in a way to safely satirise serious and controversial topics. Page 3 of 64 Introduction This project explores Joseph Heller’s use of humour in his novel Catch-22 (1961), more specifically, how humour is used to make light of rather serious subject matters, subsequently making such subjects more edible for the reader. We will approach this question through an analysis that we have split into different themes, hereunder; the novel’s view on business, patriotism, authority and hierarchy, identity and the self, religion, truth and reality. We will examine these literary themes through the use of humour theory regarding incongruity, satire, black humour and absurdism. After our analysis, we will engage in a broader discussion regarding the nature and purpose of humour as a tool for conveying underlying meaning and eliciting change, when dealing with serious subjects. This has led us to the following problem formulation: In what way is humour used in Joseph Heller’s Catch-22, and what effects does it have on the conveyance of the novel’s serious themes? Catch-22 is cited in almost all theoretical texts on humour. It is renowned for its use of satire, black humour and absurdism. The novel can be classified as a work of absurd literature due to its fragmented and at times confusing structure. The novel jumps in time, space and point of view throughout, which gives the reader a sense of unease when delving into this chaotic, nonsensical abyss. This chaotic output of course serves a purpose in that it enhances the overall impression of futile despair and helplessness that the novel’s characters are going through. Everything seems highly confusing and insurmountable, which is of course a point in and of itself. The book is essentially a satirical take on the inconsistencies and flawed logic of the US army during World War II. Yet, contrary to the serious topics, the book is filled with humorous descriptions, puns, contradictions and many other comedic tools. The question is then: why are there so many humorous situations in a book, which seems to be dealing with dark themes? What properties does humour have that makes it compatible with these subjects? How is it even possible to make someone laugh at what are in fact serious and tragic characters and scenes? We find it interesting to examine the purpose of humour when used in conjunction with serious topics. Our hypothesis is that humour can potentially alleviate the sense of discomfort that dark and serious topics can cause, thereby causing these topics to Page 4 of 64 become more digestible for the reader. We find it interesting to explore the underlying purpose of satire as a tool for change, wherein the humour is used to facilitate a possible discussion of otherwise sensitive subjects. In that sense satire could be viewed as a call to arms. However, would a discussion of serious topics within a humorous context not merely dismantle the seriousness that such subjects should deserve, consequently discouraging any need for change, thus defeating the very purpose of having the discussion in the first place? And moreover, maybe even discarding the need for a discussion altogether since the topic is suddenly not to be taken seriously? Catch-22: Summary and Structure This chapter will include a combined summary and description of the structure of Catch-22. The description of the structure is relevant in this case, as it seems Heller have been deliberately making the novel more complicated in terms of chronology and location. The novel was published in 1961, a time where the Vietnam War had recently begun, and the year where the Berlin wall was build. Yet, Catch-22 clearly mocks the American Army and capitalism. Maybe humour allows for a certain kind of abstraction that allowed Heller to criticise such subjects even at a time of conflict. It is important to note, though, that Catch-22 was banned in some Cities in the U.S, some states did seem to find it too inappropriate and possibly dangerous (URL 1). As said above, the novel seems deliberately confusing, especially in terms of timeline. Chapters do not follow each other chronologically and seem to be organised in terms of the theme and the characters within them; every chapter is either named after a specific character or location. For instance, chapter 8 is called “Lieutenant Scheisskopf” and chapter 39 is called “The Eternal City”, i.e. Rome. This means that the storyline fairly frequently jumps in time. There are some broad specifications in terms of when certain parts of the book take place; broadly speaking, the first third of the novel roughly takes place in the middle of the actual timeline, the second third roughly takes place before the first third, and the last third takes place at the end of the timeline. Page 5 of 64 Furthermore there are no clear indicators for these jumps in time and space and the reader therefore has to be extremely vigilant in order to acquire an understanding of the novel’s chronology. The setting of the story is mainly an American air base during the Second World War. The narrative travels between several characters, but mostly focuses on one individual: Yossarian. The novel begins nearly halfway through the general storyline, which means that a lot of information, which has been deliberately left out, is revealed later in the novel. The first part of the novel instead begins by introducing the characters as they are by this point in the timeline. It mostly follows Yossarian
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