Catch-22 Chapters 32-36

These chapters elaborate on three major reoccurring ideas from the story - death, religion, and corruption (exemplified by Milo). Chapter 32 begins very graphically when it is stated the Kid Sampson's (who was killed by a propeller) legs are still lying on the beach where his body was ripped apart. This image adds to the previous image of Snowden's death that haunts Yossarian. Although it seems that death is greatly troubling Yossarian, it seems to have become a very integral part of his person (due to the war). When new soldiers move in with Yossarian and suddenly remove Mudd's belongings, which symbolized death, he suddenly feels uncomfortable. It seems that he no longer sees the tent as his dwelling. He quickly absconds to Rome.

The chaplain appears once again in Chapter 36 and seems to have gained much more confidence that before. Ultimately however, he is still powerless to influence any of the happenings around the military base. The chaplain exhibits strong emotions for the first time as he becomes infuriated by the accusations of his crimes. He then goes to confront a military official, Colonel Korn, about the number of missions that a soldier much fly in order to be grounded, which seems to rise interminably. This uncharacteristic bout of confident, however, is futile as the colonel informs him that a new general is taking over the operations, and blatantly states that there is nothing anyone can do to change there policy for the number of missions.

Milo also returns in Chapter 35. He seems to be so conniving and powerful that he is able to use logic to turn other people in his favor. Through deception, he is able to get Colonel Cathcart to ground him for all future missions. Heller presents teh great disparity of power between the corrupt (having all the power) and the honest (having almost no power) to show the tremendouly negative effects that the war have caused even upon some of the most fundamental assumptions about human life.