A Comparison in the way humour is employed in C22&CCM

Catch-22’s humour is best described as comically unstable. This also defines the entire style in which the novel is written, including the plots and the characters - especially the protagonist, Yossarian. Throughout the novel, Yossarian’s logic represents an effort to detach himself from mass purposes, to rationalise his own survival. He argues and then questions assumptions of patriotic purpose, and his joking could be seen as a protective device and for recognising (his near) death, staving

The comical temperament of this chapter is not only the embarrassment for the doctor of finding that the cause was a small vegetable, but his method of removing the impediment with a hammer and fish hook seems absurd and in turn contradicts his earlier actions of maintaining respect for his profession. The following chapter(2) uses single narrative in the monologue of Mussolini. The tone is recognisably different, with satirical humour present in the first line: ‘Which is my best profile, right or left? Really, do you think so?’ The humourous image of a self absorbed dictator is purposely created, and his feline encounter later in the chapter ends up as a bloody mess and an early siesta. Satire is present in the chapter involving Corelli and the mine on the beach(43), with the smug engineer being decapitated shortly after declaring that Corelli was going to be killed. This chapter demonstrates how humour is changed to suit the tone of the situation, from light(the argument with the engineer), to dark(the engineer’s ironic death), and returning to light humour again(Corelli being dug out of the trench). Carlo’s analysis adds to the satirical edge: ‘He died happy, you can’t ask any more than that. But he won’t be collecting any more bets.’ The simple disregard for the dead engineer by the soldiers continues the satire, which is created through the use of flippant humour.

"That’s really very funny" the old man replied. "All the time I thought his name was Giuseppe, and now I find out his name is Yossarian. That’s really very funny."

Religion is used in Captain Corelli’s Mandolin for similar satirical effects as in Catch-22. The chapter ‘Bunnios’(46), which involve the English spy mistaken for an ‘angel’ by the unintelligent Alekos, provides a highly amusing account of misinterpretation and amounts peculiar questions of faith. ‘Another odd thing about the creature was that it carried a pistol…and it seemed odd that God had seen fit to modernise.’ Further comical religious incidents involve Father Arsenios; being drunk before sermon and beating burglars and escorting them to Dr. Iannis abode while wearing nothing but boots.

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