Hello! I need some help with this question regarding the novel "Catch-22":

Which of the following is something that Yossarian does not understand about the war?

A.They keep blowing up the enemy, but they gain no ground.

B.People who have never met him are trying to kill him.

C.He keeps asking why the war started in the first place, but no one knows.

D.They are frequently sent to bomb areas that are not held by the enemy.

I am stuck between A and B. Any help on this? Thank you!!

I've heard others speak about this book, but I avoided reading it myself!

You may find your answer when you look it up here in the C's:

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/

I have read the book (it's really good). He's not excited about those people who want to kill him for no good reason, people who've never met him, nor he them. He takes his person personally!

Thank you so much Writeacher and Reed. I did find the answer through Sparknotes, but you confirmed it for me as well Reed. Thanks!!

Of course, I'd be happy to help you with your question about "Catch-22"! To determine which option Yossarian does not understand about the war, let's analyze each option and see if we can find any evidence in the novel.

Option A states that Yossarian does not understand why they keep blowing up the enemy without gaining any ground. In "Catch-22," Yossarian becomes increasingly disillusioned with the war as he realizes the futility of their actions. He sees that they continue to bomb the enemy but fail to make any meaningful progress. This suggests that Yossarian understands this aspect of the war, making option A unlikely.

Option B states that Yossarian does not understand why people who have never met him are trying to kill him. This is one of the central points of Yossarian's character. He questions the motives of those who want to harm him, struggling with the absurdity of being targeted by unseen enemies. Therefore, option B aligns with Yossarian's confusion and is a valid answer.

Option C states that Yossarian keeps asking why the war started, but no one knows. While Yossarian may also ponder about the reason for the war, the book does not focus on his ignorance of why it started. Yossarian's main concern lies in the illogical and arbitrary rules imposed by the military.

Option D states that they are frequently sent to bomb areas not held by the enemy. In the novel, Yossarian and his comrades are indeed sent on dangerous bombing missions, some of which serve no strategic purpose or are carried out in dubious circumstances. However, this concept ties more closely to the overall theme of bureaucracy and senseless violence in war rather than Yossarian's personal understanding.

Based on this analysis, option B - Yossarian not understanding why people who have never met him are trying to kill him - seems to be the correct answer. Yossarian grapples with the senselessness and anonymity of his enemies throughout the novel.