In Joseph Heller's novel "Catch-22," a character named Major Major experiences an overwhelming sense of loneliness. To cope with this, he adopts a playful disguise, wearing black glasses with large red frames and a false black mustache. This absurd choice symbolizes his desire to escape from his isolation and find some connection in a chaotic world.
The imagery of Major Major wearing this ridiculous outfit at a basketball match reflects his inner turmoil and highlights the absurdity of his situation. It captures the theme of how individuals may resort to eccentric behavior in an attempt to navigate the complexities of life and the deep emotional challenges they face.