“While politicians pay seemingly sincere lip service to these tragedies, they refuse to take a stand for justice, greedily cater to special interest groups who will in turn reciprocate in one way or another, and fear negative judgment of their personal integrity. Why is this acceptable to us?” Edith Julian

Joseph Heller’s 1961 fictional novel is best described as a dark and satirical work that makes one laugh to keep from crying. The book’s title and also the code his protagonist and other characters serving as airmen during WWII fall under is Catch-22. Some major themes exhibited are the distortion of justice, the influence of greed and the issue of personal integrity. Published in 1961, It has relevance today. 

There are no valid rhymes nor reasons, nor credible explanations for gun violence that has run rampant recently. Both liberal and conservative newscasters are filled with polarized hyperbole about the issue. While politicians pay seemingly sincere lip service to these tragedies, they refuse to take a stand for justice, greedily cater to special interest groups who will in turn reciprocate in one way or another, and fear negative judgment of their personal integrity. Why is this acceptable to us?

Interestingly, Heller makes some relative points that are alive and well today: “It doesn’t make a damned bit of difference who wins the war to someone who is dead.” “They agreed that it was neither possible nor necessary to educate people who never questioned anything.” And “Insanity is contagious.” And add to that, “I more than resent that, sir. I’m absolutely incensed.”

Edith Julian