The maid in the lime-color panties... She had a plain broad face and was the most virtuous woman alive: she laid for EVERYBODY, regardless of race, creed, color or place of national origin, donating herself sociably as an act of hospitality, procrastinating not even for the moment it might take to discard the cloth or broom or dust mop she was clutching at the time she was grabbed. Her allure stemmed from her accessibility; like Mt. Everest, she was there, and the men climbed on top of her each time they felt the urge.
The quote describes a maid characterized by her broad face and her supposed virtue. Despite this virtue, she engages in sexual relationships with anyone who seeks her out, illustrating a sort of community service through her actions. Her willingness to readily accommodate others, regardless of their background, contrasts with traditional notions of virtue, suggesting an unconventional view of hospitality and morality.
This depiction also highlights a broader commentary on human desires and social interactions. The maid's allure lies in her constant availability, symbolizing how some individuals become objects of desire due to their accessibility. Heller’s portrayal raises questions about the nature of virtue and desire, presenting a provocative take on intimacy and relationships within the chaotic world of "Catch-22."
