1. Catch 22 (1961)
By: Joseph Heller

2. Historical Background
World War II (novel set mostly in 1944)
Critical of U.S. foreign policy and capitalism
This is seen in the Marshall plan which wanted to rebuild Europe while preventing Russia from having influence.
Published in 1960’s during which people were beginning to question authority of the government and those in power.

3. Author Background Born in Brooklyn in 1923
Served as Air Force bombardier in WWII
Flew over Avignon as in novel
Heller did not trust government, organized religion, bureaucracy, and the military.
Was a professor of English at Pennsylvania State University

4. McCarthyism had occurred a decade earlier (mistrust of government resulted)
Issue of the Cold War in the 50’s during which the U.S. wanted to destroy communist countries.
Think about how these issues are reflected in this novel

5. Literary Frame: Which is it?
Modernism—rejects traditional themes . . .
Alienation; loss of individuality
Themes of change
Classical allusions
Disillusionment; no absolute truths, tries to make sense of a broken world
“Mundane” subjects (“working class” characters)
Goes beyond “Realism” – disjointed timelines, stream of consciousness, etc.
Started in 1900’s, peaked in 1920’s (why?)

6. Portrait of Gertrude Stein (Pablo Picasso, 1906)
From
Portrait of Gertrude Stein (Pablo Picasso, 1906)
First viewers pointed out that Stein did not look like her portrait.
Picasso’s response?
“She will.”

7. . . . or is it . . .? Postmodernism—rejects modernism!
Playful style; often humorous or ironic
Self-conscious – “knows” it’s a work of art (metafiction,uses literary devices in obvious way)
“pop culture” allusions
No reality or truth can be determined; subjectivity tends to be relative
Artist / author can’t solve things
Popularity began after 1945 (why?)
Whaam! by Roy Lichtenstein, 1963 (from

8. Theme Topics The power of bureaucracy Greed and power Loss of faith
Confusion
Guilt