2025 Reading Challenge discussion

Yossarian. Main character, based on experiences by the author. "In Catch-22, Yossarian is a 28-year-old Captain and B-25 bombardier in the 256th Bombardment Squadron of the Army Air Corps, stationed on the small island of Pianosa off the Italian mainland during World War II."

Aarfy, Captain Aardvark. Yossarian's navigator. Because Aarfy's a larger guy, Yossarian makes sure he stays in back when they're flying so that they don't get in each other's way if they have to go through the escape hatch.

Colonel Cathcart. Commander of the base and hated by Yossarian. He's constantly trying to get himself promoted.

Doc Daneeka. Squdron flight surgeon. He HATES to fly but must in order to get his extra pay, so Yossarian lies for him. He's always thinking about how much better he had it as a doctor right when the war broke out.

Clevinger. "A highly principled, highly educated man who acts as Yossarian's foil within the story. His optimistic view of the world causes Yossarian to consider him to be a 'dope,' and he and Yossarian each believe the other is crazy."

Milo Minderbinder. Mess officer who creates a "syndicate" to buy and sell goods for profit.

Major Major. His dad gave him his name as a joke. Major Major always had a tough time making friends and found it even harder when he was promoted to squadron commander by Cathcart (who informed him that the promotion meant nothing).

Captain Black. Expected to be squadron commander when Major Duluth was KIA and was extremely upset that Major Major was promoted instead.

Major —— de Coverley. Major Major's executive officer. "Major —— de Coverley has a terrifying visage in the Biblical tradition, so much so that men will do his desires without his even saying a word, and no one dares ask his first name."

Dunbar. A fellow airman and friends with Yossarian.

Chief White Halfoat. "An American Indian whose family was forced to move from wherever they settled because oil was always discovered. He is Captain Black's assistant."

Ex-P.F.C. Wintergreen. "An ex-P.F.C. because of his constant urge to go AWOL, Wintergreen has been demoted so many times that he entertains hopes of becoming an ex-general."

Hungry Joe. "Noted for constantly trying to photograph women nude, claiming to be a photographer for Life magazine (which, ironically, he was before the war, although none of his pictures develop correctly). He is the only pilot who consistently finished the required number of missions (but was forced to continue flying as his paperwork was always delayed until the flight limit was elevated) and has screaming nightmares until he's ordered back onto combat status."

Havermeyer. "Lives in the tent next to Yossarian's, and according to Colonel Cathcart he is 'the best damn bombardier we've got.' This was because he insists on flying his plane dead straight to, over, and past the target despite any anti-aircraft fire he receives."

Huple. "A fifteen-year-old pilot who lied about his age to get into the Army, and who shares a tent with Hungry Joe."

Lieutenant Colonel Korn. "The assistant to Colonel Cathcart."

General Dreedle. "The commander of the U.S. Army Air Corps base in Pianosa, Dreedle is an exceedingly blunt and ill-tempered man. He is an archetypal no-nonsense military man who does not care what the men under his command do as long as they fight and die unquestioningly when given orders. His arch-rival is General Peckem, head of Special Services in Rome."

Sergeant Towser. Major Major's assistant

Scheisskopf. "The training unit commander for Yossarian and Clevinger"

Major Danby. "A college professor and intellectual who sees himself as a poor match for the armed services. He briefs the airmen on upcoming missions."

Orr. Yossarian's tent mate who is always building new things for the tent. Though not very bright, he's always good-natured and is the "only person in the group considered to be crazier than his good friend Yossarian."

Chaplain Tappman. "Tappman is a naïve Anabaptist minister from Kenosha, Wisconsin, who is tormented throughout the novel by his rude, manipulative atheist assistant, Corporal Whitcomb. Easily intimidated by the cruelty of others, the chaplain is a kind, gentle and sensitive man who worries constantly about his wife and children at home."

Corporal Whitcomb. An atheist who constantly antagonizes Chaplain Tappman, his direct superior.

(Quotations are from wikipedia.)

I tried to do these without giving away parts of the plot. Feel free to add as necessary. If you do give away parts, please make sure to mark spoilers. Thanks!

Thanks!! This'll be a real help!