Factors that Effect Soldiers Morale in
Catch 22
Catch 22
In Catch 22 by Heller Joseph, the character of John Yossarian who appears to be rebellious presents a picture of factors that could reduce morale among soldiers. The bureaucracy in the novel treats its soldiers brutally and views them as unidentified and anonymous dispensable liabilities. These circumstances minimize the morale of soldiers and make them resort to inappropriate behaviours and actions. For instance, Yossarian avoids risking his life to save others in war and makes up excuses to avoid being sent to war zones. This is mainly facilitated by the bureaucracy’s lack of logic when it sends soldiers to risk their lives for insignificant reasons. By avoiding this factors reviewed in Catch 22, it would be easy for effecting soldier’s morale during wartime.
It is important to observe the fact that most soldiers in the contemporary world join the army out of the love they have for their country. This implies that they have an option of joining other professions but still prefer risking their lives for their nation. The level of lack of appreciation depicted in Catch 22 of the army can play a big part in making the soldiers lack morale in wartime since they do not see the justification of risking their lives fighting for a nation and protecting people who only see them as dispensable liabilities and as only statistics.