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Literary Devices
Definition of Allusion
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals, historical events, or philosophical ideas... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to... read full definition
Key Examples in Catch-22
Chapter 9: Major Major Major Major
Explanation and Analysis—Brooding like Saul:
Major Major is promoted to major in Chapter 9 without the requisite experience or ability, and only because his name sounds like a military officer. Heller uses this promotion as part of his overarching theory that bureaucracy, and especially military bureaucracy, exists only to perpetuate its own stability. After his promotion, the company turns on him: they hate that despite the fact that he is mediocre in skill and lacking in experience, he is still their superior. The narrator describes Major's reaction to this situation using a biblical allusion:
Major Major's unexpected promotion to major the next day plunged the belligerent sergeant into a bottomless gloom, for he was no longer able to boast that he could beat hell out of any man in his outfit. He brooded for hours in his tent like Saul, receiving no visitors, while his elite guard of corporals stood discouraged watch outside.
Chapter 24: Milo
Explanation and Analysis—The Best Month of All:
Milo's black market dealings are bringing him great success in Chapter 24, which Heller describes using a famous allusion:
Unlock with LitCharts A+April had been the best month of all for Milo. Lilacs bloomed in April and fruit ripened on the vine. Heartbeats quickened and old appetites were renewed. In April a lovelier iris gleamed upon the burnished dove. April was spring, and in the spring Milo Minderbinder's fancy had lightly turned to thoughts of tangerines.
Related Themes:
Chapter 28: Dobbs
Explanation and Analysis—What's Good:
Milo, in Chapter 28, steals from the company's life jackets and leaves a note within them that makes an allusion to 1950s American politics:
Unlock with LitCharts A+The life jackets failed to inflate because Milo had removed the twin carbon dioxide cylinders from the inflating chambers to make the strawberry and crushed-pineapple ice-cream sodas he served in the officer's mess hall and had replaced them with mimeographed notes that read: "What's good for M & M Enterprises is good for the country."
Related Themes:
Chapter 38: Kid Sister
Explanation and Analysis—The Wrath of Yossarian:
In Chapter 38, Yossarian refuses to fight outright and coops himself up in the tent. Colonels Cathcart and Korn discuss why they think this is:
Unlock with LitCharts A+"His friend Nately was killed in the crash over Spezia. Maybe that's why."
"Who does he think he is––Achilles?" Colonel Korn was pleased with the simile and filed a mental reminder to repeat it the next time he found himself in General Peckem's presence. "He has to fly more missions. He has no choice. Go back and tell him you'll report the matter to us if he doesn't change his mind."
Related Themes:
