In Joseph Heller's novel "Catch-22," the character Yossarian faces a paradoxical dilemma regarding his dangerous military missions. This situation illustrates the absurdity of war and military bureaucracy, where the logic is circular. If Yossarian chooses to fly the missions, it indicates a lack of sanity, allowing him an escape. Conversely, desiring to avoid these perilous flights is interpreted as a sign of rationality, compelling him to serve. This contradictory rule embodies the essence of a 'catch,' entrapping him in a no-win scenario.

The term "Catch-22" symbolizes the illogical and often cruel nature of bureaucratic systems, particularly in wartime. Yossarian's predicament highlights the struggles faced by soldiers who confront the irrationality of their circumstances, where survival instincts clash with enforced duties. The narrative emphasizes the futility and absurdity within such a system, urging readers to ponder the larger implications of conformity, sanity, and the morality of war. Heller uses this term to critique the injustices faced by individuals caught in an unyielding system.