"That's some Catch, that Catch-22": Humor and Ethics in Heller's War Narrative.

This thesis investigates the interplay between humor and sorrow in Joseph Heller’s Catch-22, arguing that its fusion of black humor, satire, and postmodern narrative form functions not only as a critique of war and bureaucracy but also as a site of ethical and emotional engagement for the reader. By integrating James Phelan’s theory of narrative ethics with Jeroen Vandaele’s framework of narrative humor, this study develops an interdisciplinary approach that highlights how comic dissonance operates at both structural and affective levels. Through close readings of the novel’s recursive storytelling, narrative disruptions, and moments of absurdity, the thesis explores how Heller’s ironic narrative strategies provoke reflection on moral agency, institutional absurdity, and the fragility of human life. The analysis is further contextualized through the lens of postmodernism, drawing on the work of Anita Neziri to examine how the novel’s form undermines conventional narrative coherence and readerly expectations. Finally, the thesis extends its argument into contemporary terrain by analyzing how Catch-22 resonates with modern digital culture, particularly in its memetic afterlife. In doing so, the project offers a fresh perspective on a widely studied novel while underscoring its continued relevance in both literary and cultural discourse.