Catch-22

Historical Context and Significance

Joseph Heller's «Catch-22» is a novel published in 1961 that critiques bureaucracy and the irrationality of war, exemplified by the American Air Forces during World War II. The work became a classic of American literature and introduced the term 'Catch-22' into the language, signifying a no-win situation or paralysis due to absurd regulations or rules. The novel sparked controversy upon its initial release but was eventually recognized as an important cultural and social commentary on the madness of war and the power of individual resistance.