Summary When Major Danby comes to the hospital to visit Yossarian, he announces to the Captain that Colonel Korn’s “deal is still on. Everything is working out fine.” Yossarian simply, bluntly responds, “No it isn’t.” Yossarian has decided to renege on Cathcart and Korn’s offer. Danby warns that this could […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 42Summary and Analysis Chapter 41
Summary Yossarian is in the hospital in a “fog of insensibility” as a result of the knife attack. He seems to be in an operating room. It isn’t clear whether his perceptions are factual or if the “fog” causes delusion or distortion. The scene could even be a drug-induced dream. […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 41Summary and Analysis Chapter 40
Summary When Yossarian reports to Colonel Cathcart and Colonel Korn back at the base, they have a surprise for him: “We’re sending you home.” The catch is that Yossarian must agree to cooperate with his commanding officers and speak well of them to other members of the squadron as well […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 40Summary and Analysis Chapter 39
Summary Even though he does not have an official pass, Yossarian catches a ride to Rome with Milo, who takes the opportunity to scold the Captain for “rocking the boat” and not being “a good member of the team.” For perhaps the first time, Yossarian notices that Rome, “The Eternal […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 39Summary and Analysis Chapter 38
Summary Yossarian refuses to fly any more missions. He feels that the world is out to kill him, and he walks around the squadron backward “because he was continually spinning around as he walked to make certain no one was sneaking up on him from behind.” When Colonel Korn learns […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 38Summary and Analysis Chapter 37
Summary For some time, General Peckem has been sending memoranda to his military superiors requesting that combat operations be placed under the control of Special Services, which Peckem commands. The head of Special Services traditionally sees to matters of recreation or entertainment, such as softball leagues or U.S.O. shows. Peckem […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 37Summary and Analysis Chapter 36
Summary Chaplain Tappman is nearly destroyed by the news of Nately’s death. His initial reaction is to pray that Nately and other men whom he knows are not really among the casualties. But he realizes that such a prayer is a request that other fine young men are dead. The […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 36Summary and Analysis Chapter 35
Summary Nately has completed his seventy missions, but he insists on flying more so that he can stay near his lady love. He should realize that Colonel Cathcart will soon raise the number of required missions to eighty anyway. Yossarian begs Nately not to fly any more, but his efforts […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 35Summary and Analysis Chapters 33-34
Summary In Rome, Yossarian desperately seeks companionship, with mixed results. Nately’s whore, who has been working for twenty-two hours straight, is in an awkward situation with several senior officers; Yossarian and other friends assist Nately in helping her out. After a good night’s sleep, the prostitute displays a remarkable change […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 33-34Summary and Analysis Chapters 31-32
Summary When McWatt flies into the mountain, Doc Daneeka is standing on the beach beside Sergeant Knight. His name, however, was on the passenger list when McWatt filed his flight plan, so Doc was officially on the plane. Within the context of military logic, because he did not parachute to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 31-32