Catch-22, Part 1: Colonel Cathcart Quiz

Answer: "Black Eyes!" and "Feathers in My Cap!"

In measuring progress in his personal war goal to become a general, Colonel Cathcart uses this organizational method. However, examples of the Colonel's self-absorbed agenda may be found throughout Heller's masterpiece.

Answer: an ornate cigarette holder

Colonel Cathcart was universally conflicted about all his attempts to impress his superiors, including using his cigarette holder. He vacillated between wanting to throw the holder away if he thought it wasn't helping his image, to brandishing it as a masculine and sophisticated addition...one certain to be a feather in his cap!

Answer: Yossarian (for several reasons)

In a fearful review of his progress to generalship, Colonel Cathcart discovers that the name Yossarian keeps popping up whenever he recalls some trouble in the squadron. Yossarian was the lead bombardier who took his flight around twice over the target at Ferrara, and another plane and crew were lost. Yossarian also stood in line naked to receive a medal from General Dreedle. Yossarian was also trying to get Doc Daneeka to ground him from flying further missions!

Answer: A farm in the hills above the squadron.

Initially our good Colonel is enthused about their farm in the hills, using it as an opportunity to court various Generals he is trying to impress by holding orgies there. But as the generals are unimpressed, he grows weary and bored with his farm, deciding it may be yet another "Black Eye" for him.

Answer: By raising the number of missions required to be flown before a crew could be rotated back to the states from 55 to 60.

One thing can be certain about Colonel Cathcart: he celebrates all his successes by increasing the number of missions that his men must fly before they can go home. He is convinced that having his group fly more missions than any other in the whole wing, is the biggest "Feather In His Cap" that he has.

Answer: Because the last time the Chaplain was in the Officers Club, the General's son-in-law Colonel Moodus got busted in the nose during a fight. Genral Dreedle can't stand his son-in-law.

Colonel Cathcart had tried two strategies with General Dreedle; both backfired. At first, the colonel had the Chaplain kicked out of the officers club. But then, the general changed his mind and wanted the chaplain back again. Unfortunately, all the colonel's schemes are doomed to fail because he bases his plans solely on how others see him.

Answer: Major Major

Lt. Colonel Korn, the bemused and sarcastic power behind the throne, talked Col. Cathcart out of both ideas knowing that Wing Headquarters would never allow a "Captain" Major or a "Colonel" Major.

Answer: He helped Milo rationalize his way into withdrawing his request.

Interesting to note that our good colonel was quite willing that Milo be in danger or even killed if he could figure a way to get control of M & M Enterprises away from Milo in the process and reap the rewards himself! But after listening to a detailed accounting of just some of Milo's operational responsibilities in running M & M Enterprises, the colonel gives up and orders Milo not to fly.

Answer: False

Our colonel is destined to failure in his pathetic, yet hilarious attempts to become a general.

Answer: True

Dobbs, a friend of Yossarian's, finally has had enough, and tries to enlist Yossarian as a co-conspirator in planning to murder the colonel when he returns from his farm in the hills. Although Yossarian doesn't participate in the plot, and Dobbs soon gives up on the idea, it gives the reader a very candid notion of just how stressed men in combat can get, especially when they are led by self-serving idiots like our Col. Cathcart.

I hope you enjoyed this my first quiz. Please message if you have suggestions or corrections!