The quote reflects Dr. Stubbs' disillusionment and hopelessness in the face of life's inevitabilities. He expresses a sense of futility in his efforts to save others, questioning the ultimate value of his work when everyone is destined to die. This sentiment highlights the burden that comes with the responsibility of saving lives, especially in a chaotic and seemingly indifferent world.

In the broader context of Joseph Heller's "Catch-22," this attitude encapsulates the conflicting emotions experienced by those in life-and-death situations, particularly during war. The sense of irony in trying to find meaning in saving lives, only to confront the certainty of death, underscores a central theme of the novel—one's struggle to maintain sanity and purpose amid absurd circumstances.