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Yossarian, nevertheless, is caught up in this concern. He considers his part in the raid as a participation in the same "vile, excruciating dilemma," and this is the source of his guilt. At this point, however, he is confusing acts he can be responsible for with consequences which are beyond his control. This confusion is highlighted by his willing cooperation in Col. Korn's and Col. Cathcart's scheme, something for which he really can be held accountable. In other words, Yossarian has yet to develop an individual perspective and is, thus, susceptible to outside influences, as Major — de Coverly is not. But it is his acquiescence, not his bravery, that really put him "up to his own ass" in it. |
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This chapter gives us a sharp reversal in tone. It begins with Yossarian having learned his lesson: no more bravery. But, is that the right lesson to have learned? |
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First we are led to believe it is by the description of his bombing run and the jubilation when Yossarian's plane turns back. This is heightened by the tension of fear during the run. Descriptive style leads us to this, too, with graver descriptions of Nately in his earphones as being in a "bulky dungeon," of feelings of desolation, of a sense of a "ponderous, primeval lull," and of the ''necrotic profusion" of the ominous mushrooms. |
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But, ironically, the chapter has implicitly prepared us for doubting that Yossarian is on the right track; from start to finish, this is a chapter of reversals. We have at the outset Yossarian's sense of reversal, "Something was terribly wrong if everything was all right." And, true to the course plotted by that compass, we come to the final reversal, "Bologna was a milk run." Thus, again, doubts are raised about appearances. And the reader would do well to note that with regard to the little incident Heller submerges in this narrative, the reference to Orr and the ditching of his plane; whatever it means at this point, that ditching action contrasts, in its implied bravery, with Yossarian's action, an action typified by Doc Daneeka's "poignant solicitude for his own safety." |
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This chapter would seem, on its surface, to be rather straightforward. For once we have few diversions; the story is told directly. But, again, the surface is a little misleading, since we begin the chapter with the reversal of reversals – Bologna has to be bombed again. |
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Here, Heller is using the device called the gradated series. First we have the story of the anticipated bomb run, then the first run, then the "real" |
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