The quote "You've got flies in your eyes. That's why you can't see them," from Joseph Heller's novel "Catch-22," illustrates a key theme about perception and reality. It suggests that people often fail to recognize obvious truths or flaws due to their own biases or distractions. The metaphor of having 'flies in your eyes' implies that there are obstacles preventing clear vision and understanding. This reflects the absurdity and complexity of the situations faced by the characters in the book, highlighting their struggles to grasp the truth.
In "Catch-22," Heller captures the paradoxes of war and bureaucracy, showing how individuals become trapped in a system that distorts their perceptions. The flies symbolize the trivial or mundane distractions that cloud judgment, thereby preventing characters from addressing more pressing issues. Ultimately, the quote showcases the broader commentary on human nature and the challenges of gaining clarity in a world fraught with confusion and contradiction.