Passage of the day - 25 Nov 2003 - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Mephisto2 · 11-24-2003, 11:51 PM

Catch 22 by Joseph Hellar

Quote:

There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one's own safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind. Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and as soon as he did, he would longer be crazy and would fly more missions. Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn't, but if he was sane he had to fly them. If he flew them he was crazy and didn't have to; but if he didn't want to he was sane and had to. Yossarian was moved very deeply by the absolute simplicity of this clause of Catch-22 and let out a respectful whistle.

'That some catch, that Catch-22,' he observed.
'It's the best there is,' Doc Daneeka agreed.

I love this book. I can honestly say it changed the way I looked at life. This is also perhaps one of my favourite passages in all English.

Do you like it?
Have you read the book?
What does it mean to you?

Discuss.

Mr Mephisto

GakFace · 11-25-2003, 12:08 AM

Heh, I read that book for english my senior year, Soon as I realized the book I was thinking of the same passage. Too tired to think of a fun explanation, but thats an awesome book. I should probably read it again.

cheerios · 11-25-2003, 01:11 AM

haven't read it at all, actually... is it all as hard to follow?

ubertuber · 11-25-2003, 01:20 AM

You know, I've read this book more than any other. Cheerios, it isn't all quite so convoluted. It is definitely worth checking out. My favorite part is the stealth bomber that absolutely can't be detected.

My comment on Mr. Mephisto's original passage - this is ironic writing at its absolute finest. My sense of humor is very dry, and this paragraph has always been a favorite of mine. Thanks for reminding me that I should read this book yet again. By the way, has anyone else read Closing Time (the sequel)?

Mephisto2 · 11-25-2003, 02:40 AM

Cheerios, Catch-22 is very easy to follow. It is also very "episodic", in that each chapter is almost like a little story on its own.

In one way, it can be seen as a wry comedy on US Army Bombers living (and flying missions from) an island off the coast of Italy during WWII. In another, it's one of the world's most famous anti-war novels, an extremely cutting satire on the futility of war, bureaucracy, military command and senseless death.

I highly recommend it.

Ubertuber, I love this passage. But what about such memorable characters as Major Major Major Major, Sgt Schieskopf, the Dead Man in Yossarians Tent, Milobender...

Heh...

What a masterpiece.

Mr Mephisto

Destrox · 11-25-2003, 03:49 AM

Eh, I didnt find that little passage anything special at all.

Just me I guess, maybe next time.

cchris · 11-25-2003, 04:54 AM

I gave that a few goes but just couldn't get into it.
The bookcase in my lounge room has at least 100 books and I have read every one bar that.

It's funny how things shared here get the cobwebs out.

Thanks Mr Mephisto for the insight.

Mephisto2 · 11-25-2003, 12:04 PM

I highly recommend it.

It's also the kind of book that you can pick up, read a bit and put down again.

From the Introduction to the Everyman's Library hardback version:

Quote:

Hellar has described his method of writing as one of treating events and characters in brief bursts, "and then showing as we progress that these things do have a meaning and they do come together".

Mr Mephisto

rmarshall · 11-25-2003, 01:32 PM

There's a movie called "Catch-22". Is that based on this book?

A good example of catch-22 was Klinger in MASH. He couldn't get out of the war by pretending to be crazy, because wanting to get out proved he was sane.

Mephisto2 · 11-25-2003, 02:24 PM

Yes, the movie is based upon the book. It's nowhere near as good as the novel though.

Mr Mephisto

Redlemon · 11-25-2003, 02:26 PM

I should probably go back and try it again sometime. When I tried to read it last, I had just finished Slaugherhouse-5 by Kurt Vonnegut, and quickly discovered I'd had enough of war stories, so I gave up after a few chapters.

Mephisto2 · 11-25-2003, 02:35 PM

Slaughterhouse-5.

Now there's another good book.

Catch-22 is funny. Slaughterhouse-5 is not. :-)

Mr Mephisto

11-25-2003, 12:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
GakFace Go Ninja, Go Ninja Go!! Location: IN, USA	Heh, I read that book for english my senior year, Soon as I realized the book I was thinking of the same passage. Too tired to think of a fun explanation, but thats an awesome book. I should probably read it again. __________________ RoboBlaster: Welcome to the club! Not that I'm in the club. And there really isn'a a club in the first place. But if there was a club and if I was in it, I would definitely welcome you to it.

11-25-2003, 01:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
ubertuber spudly Location: Ellay	You know, I've read this book more than any other. Cheerios, it isn't all quite so convoluted. It is definitely worth checking out. My favorite part is the stealth bomber that absolutely can't be detected. My comment on Mr. Mephisto's original passage - this is ironic writing at its absolute finest. My sense of humor is very dry, and this paragraph has always been a favorite of mine. Thanks for reminding me that I should read this book yet again. By the way, has anyone else read Closing Time (the sequel)? __________________ Cogito ergo spud -- I think, therefore I yam

11-25-2003, 03:49 AM	#6 (permalink)
Destrox Metal and Rock 4 Life Location: Phoenix	Eh, I didnt find that little passage anything special at all. Just me I guess, maybe next time. __________________ You bore me.... next.

11-25-2003, 04:54 AM	#7 (permalink)
cchris Junkie Location: Sydney	I gave that a few goes but just couldn't get into it. The bookcase in my lounge room has at least 100 books and I have read every one bar that. It's funny how things shared here get the cobwebs out. Thanks Mr Mephisto for the insight. __________________ There's a fine line between participation and mockery

11-25-2003, 02:26 PM	#11 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	I should probably go back and try it again sometime. When I tried to read it last, I had just finished Slaugherhouse-5 by Kurt Vonnegut, and quickly discovered I'd had enough of war stories, so I gave up after a few chapters. __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

11-25-2003, 01:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
cheerios Banned Location: 'bout 2 feet from my iMac	haven't read it at all, actually... is it all as hard to follow?

11-25-2003, 02:40 AM	#5 (permalink)
Mephisto2 Junkie	Cheerios, Catch-22 is very easy to follow. It is also very "episodic", in that each chapter is almost like a little story on its own. In one way, it can be seen as a wry comedy on US Army Bombers living (and flying missions from) an island off the coast of Italy during WWII. In another, it's one of the world's most famous anti-war novels, an extremely cutting satire on the futility of war, bureaucracy, military command and senseless death. I highly recommend it. Ubertuber, I love this passage. But what about such memorable characters as Major Major Major Major, Sgt Schieskopf, the Dead Man in Yossarians Tent, Milobender... Heh... What a masterpiece. Mr Mephisto

11-25-2003, 01:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
rmarshall Addict Location: Kingston,Ontario	There's a movie called "Catch-22". Is that based on this book? A good example of catch-22 was Klinger in MASH. He couldn't get out of the war by pretending to be crazy, because wanting to get out proved he was sane.

11-25-2003, 02:24 PM	#10 (permalink)
Mephisto2 Junkie	Yes, the movie is based upon the book. It's nowhere near as good as the novel though. Mr Mephisto

11-25-2003, 02:35 PM	#12 (permalink)
Mephisto2 Junkie	Slaughterhouse-5. Now there's another good book. Catch-22 is funny. Slaughterhouse-5 is not. :-) Mr Mephisto