In Joseph Heller's novel "Catch-22," the character captures the absurdity and futility of war through the metaphor of lying down and dying little by little. This phrase reflects a sense of resignation to the circumstances of life and the struggles faced by soldiers. It highlights how the dehumanizing effects of war lead individuals to feel powerless and distanced from their own existence.

The quote suggests that beneath the chaotic surface of military life, there is an underlying acceptance of despair. It poignantly conveys the mental and emotional toll that war takes on individuals, emphasizing a struggle not just against external enemies but also against their own existential vulnerabilities.