In Joseph Heller's "Catch-22," the protagonist grapples with the absurd realities of war and bureaucracy. His determination to either achieve immortality or succumb to death reflects a deep struggle with the futility of his circumstances. This desire symbolizes a broader quest for meaning and control in a world marked by chaos and randomness.

The quote underscores a pivotal theme of the novel: the tension between individual agency and oppressive systems. The character's choice highlights the paradox of trying to escape death while facing the inevitable, illustrating how the human spirit pushes against the confines of an absurd reality.