Appreciation of Repetition in Catch-22

Abstract

Joseph Heller’s Catch-22 is a highly praised novel owning to its language characteristics. Repetition is one of the stunning features Joseph Heller adopts to create the splendid aesthetic effects. The paper aims to explore the role of repetition in terms of heightening the tension and horror of the war, emphasizing Yossarian’s aggressiveness to the officer and his persistence in keeping alive, strengthening the officer’s abnormal hatred towards the solider, swelling absurdity and giving birth of and reinforcing the effect of black humor.