Catch 22 Parallels with Crime & Punishment

Joseph Heller and Fyodor Dostoyevsky both take psychological approaches in there critically acclaimed novels, Catch 22 and Crime and Punishment. Both main characters conflict with society and with themselves. The psychology of the human being is analyzed and criticized in Heller's novel. The theme and title, Catch 22, identifies the illogical elements of human nature. Man vs. man is the most evident conflict in Heller's work. The World War 11 novel focuses in on all of the irrational, illogical moments in the novel. The paradox that is described as "catch 22", is identified in what can easily be considered the novels most famous quote,

"There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one's own safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind. Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and as soon as he did, he would no longer be crazy and would have to fly more missions. Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn't, but if he was sane he would have to fly them. If he flew them he was crazy and didn't have to; but if he didn't want to he was sane and had to."(p.55)

Paradoxes are the most used literary devices in Heller's novel. The paradoxes are used to help the reader identify the extreme irrationality of the bureaucracy. The soldiers in Catch 22 are used, underappreciated, and disrespected by those in power. The Men in charge, including, general Cathcart are dishonest with the men and keep them there much longer then they are suppose to. The opposition those who are in power and those who aren't shape the plot.

Dostoyevsky's novel takes a deep look inside the mind of a murderer. The Human Conscience is its on character in Crime and Punishment. The main character, Raskolnikov, justifies murdering an old pawn woman before he actually commits the crime, but once he carries the crime through, he conscience is consumed with guilt. No matter how evil someone is, the human conscience cannot cope with taking away someone else's life. The Conflict in Crime and Punishment is essentially internal. Raskolnikov faces opposition from others, but his biggest opposition is himself. Raskolnikov's self-destruction and guilty conscience is typical for a murderer. He becomes agitated, irrational, angry, and later remorseful. Dostoyevsky explores an array of emotions. Raskolnikov would like to believe he is the way he is because of someone else, but this isn't the case. Raskolnikov is an insecure man who isn't proud of himself, and he causes his own pain.