Who's they? He wanted to know. Who, specifically, do you think is trying to murder you?Every one of them, Yossarian told him.Every one of whom?Every one of whom do you think?I haven't any idea.Then how do you know they aren't?Because... Clevinger sputtered, and turned speechless with frustration. Clevinger really thought he was right, but Yossarian had proof, because strangers he didn't know shot at him with cannons every time he flew up into the air to drop bombs on them, and it wasn't funny at all.
In this excerpt from "Catch-22," Yossarian expresses his paranoid conviction that everyone is out to get him, particularly when he discusses his concerns with Clevinger. Yossarian's statement that every person poses a threat highlights the overwhelming sense of danger he feels in a chaotic world marked by war. Clevinger, trying to rationalize the situation, can't grasp Yossarian's perspective, leading to a clash of beliefs and frustrations.
The absurdity of war is exemplified in Yossarian's experience, as he faces real threats from unseen enemies every time he takes to the skies. His fear is not unfounded; it is a response to the traumatic reality of being shot at during combat missions. While Clevinger seeks logical explanations, Yossarian's lived experience serves as proof that the dangers he faces are tangible, making the gravity of his paranoia far from trivial.
