In this excerpt from Joseph Heller's "Catch-22," a humorous and chaotic exchange occurs between a colonel and a corporal. The colonel, frustrated and angry, demands the corporal to repeat the last line he just heard, but the corporal misinterprets the request. Instead of acknowledging the colonel's last line, he insists on referring to his own, creating a confusing and comical situation. This reflects the absurdity and miscommunication prevalent in military settings, a central theme in the book.

The interaction highlights the struggles with authority and the breakdown of communication that often arise in bureaucratic systems. The colonel, overwhelmed by anger, cannot grasp the corporal's perspective, while the corporal remains unaware of the colonel's frustration. This scene encapsulates the book's exploration of the illogic of war and the pitfalls of rigid hierarchical structures, ultimately showcasing Heller's critique of military life.