Like all the other officers at Group Headquarters except Major Danby, Colonel Cathcart was infused with the democratic spirit: he believed that all men were created equal, and he therefore spurned all men outside Group Headquarters with equal fervor.
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In Joseph Heller's "Catch-22," Colonel Cathcart embodies a paradoxical approach to equality. He holds a democratic belief that all individuals are equal, yet his actions betray this principle as he exhibits disdain toward those outside of his own Group Headquarters. This contradiction highlights the complexities of his character and the absurdity prevalent in military hierarchy.
Unlike Major Danby, who seems more thoughtful and nuanced, Colonel Cathcart exemplifies a narrow understanding of equality. His belief does not translate into genuine respect or kindness towards others, instead leading to a rigid, exclusionary attitude. This illustrates a central theme in the novel, critiquing the bureaucracy and dehumanization found within military structures.
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