Catch-22 Hypocrisy Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #13

[Colonel Cathcart:] "Haven't you got anything humorous that stays away from waters and valleys and God? I'd like to keep away from the subject of religion altogether if we can."

The chaplain was apologetic. "I'm sorry, sir, but just about all the prayers I know are rather somber in tone and make at least some passing reference to God." (19.50-51)

It is a contradiction to ask for a prayer that does not mention religion or God. Colonel Cathcart shows his stupidity by asking for one.

Quote #14

What displeased Corporal Whitcomb most about the chaplain, apart from the fact that the chaplain believed in God, was his lack of initiative and aggressiveness. Corporal Whitcomb regarded the low attendance at religious services as a sad reflection of his own status. His mind germinated feverishly with challenging new ideas for sparking the great spiritual revival of which he dreamed himself the architect […] It was people like the chaplain, he concluded, who were responsible for giving religion such a bad name and making pariahs out of them both. (20.30)

Corporal Whitcomb is a contradictory character because he is atheist, yet he dreams of sparking a "great spiritual revival."

Quote #15

Yossarian's mission on the trip was to distract Orr from observing where Milo bought his eggs, even though Orr was a member of Milo's syndicate and, like every other member of Milo's syndicate, owned a share. (22.56)

This idea is nonsensical; Orr would not try to sabotage the syndicate by revealing the whereabouts of Milo's egg market because he is a member of the syndicate and benefits from Milo's profits.