Chapter 20 Corporal Whitcomb

Chapter Stucture Overall- chronological throughout the chapter No actual flashbacks to throw off the time sequence Chapter 19? CHRONOLOGICAL Cathcart and Chaplain are chatting and Chaplain leaves the office at the end…leads right into chapter 20 (view of Chaplain). Chapter 21? CHRONOLOGICAL Changes view to Colonel Cathcart and what he does after the office. All three, missions are set at 60 (close to end of the book) Mentions being at 45 when Yoss. In hospital but if set into chronological order it would only make sense to be at 60.

RECAP The Chaplain is feeling sorry for himself Physical description/characterization of Colonel Korn Chaplain lives in the woods in the middle of nowhere He likes it but misses his wife and kids Whitcomb tells C.I.D. man that the Chaplain was signing the infamous letter “Washington Irving”

Satire? The closest hint or reference to satire (not exactly humor) is that Corporal Whitcomb who has no belief in God (atheist) tries to persuade the Chaplain (who is a very religious man) otherwise. This might be viewed as satirical because their views reflect many of what society thinks about religion.

Let’s Give it Some STYLE Dialogue- Colonel Korn- mocking tone towards Chaplain (“father” “saying prayer?” p.199) Corporal Whitcomb- accusatory word choice and diction (“accused”)-tries to get last word in (“I tried to do you a favor” p.205) say something and come back in to emphasize point Chaplain- defensive- doesn’t take criticism well, kind of a pushover (he’ll “side” with Corporal just to get him to stop arguing p.203 “confidence in men”) Symbol- the PLUM TOMATO-incompetence of the army’s administration Men dying yet focusing on theft of tomatoes

HOW ABOUT SOME PINBALL This is a straight forward scene…. But there is almost “pinball” activity…like bouncing back and forth… Continuous entering and exiting Whitcomb’s and Chaplain arguments CHAPLAIN vs. WHITCOMB Corporal is more harsh and accusing, Chaplain is doubtful and almost a pushover

Pinball continued Corporal Whitcomb’s betrayal and hypocrisy towards Chaplain – Forging Chaplains name after accusing him of forging the letters – Forges Washington Irving to get the Chaplain in trouble – Ironic that he accuses him yet covers for him..hence it creates the pinball effect (pg.206)

Is there FORESHADOWING? Possibly… Pg. 206

‘Cus this is DEJA VU PAGE ….. – If you don’t they’re talking about déjà vu then there’s something wrong with you – It affects Chaplain’s emotions--- these moments that he keeps feeling are creating more self doubt and pity in this chapter Creates illusions with the men that distorts what is real and not real (helps with fighting war/blur out death Jamais vu- “optical phenomena” seeing something not there Presque vu- “brilliant flashes of clarity that almost came to him” also called paramnesia

Themes 1.Isolationism: – Madness from war makes men fend for themselves, their “friendship” may only last for a short time – Offers profound loneliness and insecurity (Chaplain) 2.Hypocrisy: – The book itself is hypocritical… – “Catch 22” uses circular reasoning, resulting in everyone's doom involved – They can’t escape the ridiculous rules and never ending missions