They're trying to kill me, Yossarian told him calmly.No one's trying to kill you, Clevinger cried.Then why are they shooting at me? Yossarian asked.They're shooting at everyone, Clevinger answered. They're trying to kill everyone.And what difference does that make?
In Joseph Heller's novel "Catch-22," a pivotal dialogue unfolds between Yossarian and Clevinger, highlighting the absurdity of war. Yossarian expresses his fear of being targeted, telling Clevinger that people are trying to kill him. Clevinger, in contrast, insists that no one is specifically after Yossarian, but rather that everyone is in danger, as bullets fly indiscriminately. This exchange reveals the chaotic and irrational nature of war, where individual concerns are overshadowed by a collective threat.
The conversation underscores a critical theme of the book: the pervasive sense of helplessness and paranoia among soldiers. Yossarian's simple yet profound question about the distinction between being targeted specifically or being at risk with others emphasizes the insanity of their situation. Ultimately, the absurdity of warfare becomes evident, as the reality is that everyone is subject to the same perilous environment, leading to existential confusion and a struggle for survival.
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
