Meaning of Snowden's Name

I thought I'd try another one.

Snowden

Snowden is used as a symbol to all that have been destroyed because of the war. The name "Snowden" can simply be a play on the word "snow". In chapter 41, Heller cleverly uses this simile: "The yawning wound was dripping blood, like snow melting on eaves.", to compare blood to melting snow. This got me to thinking that maybe the name "Snowden" is a symbol of the blood shed from the war. Another way that the name "Snowden" can be interpreted is the fact that it sounds just like the phrase "snowed in". When one is "snowed in", he/she is usually trapped inside a building because of a large amount of snow. Snowden is trapped in the war and is unable to escape it's clutches.

Everyone needs to post a question that you had while reading the novel. Anyone wishing to respond to the questions posted may, but these will not count as one of your posts as it will be used as an activity with your journals in the first couple of days of school.

The Meaning of Orr's Name

Orr may be a play on the word “oar”, because every time Orr flies a mission his plane is always damaged and he seems to be "up a creek without a paddle". Also, he paddles his way to freedom in Sweden, using an oar, after practicing with a full crew. His name might also be a play on on the word 'or', as in stay or leave. Throughout most of the book, Orr is the only character who understands that this is even a choice. He spends most of his time either practicing for the chance to exercise his options (crashing repeatedly in the Mediterranean) or paddling to freedom after he crashes successfully.

Chaplin Tappman

Chaplin Tappman

cowardly
good-hearted

Chaplin Tappman reminds himself frequently throughout the novel that he is an anabaptist and not a catholic. Yet, he is too much of a coward to correct the colonels that keep reffering to him as father. He does not want to upset them so he rather be called something he is not, which to me seems very cowardly. Also, when the chaplin gets called into Colonel Cathcart's office he was prepared to have an indepth discussion about the sixty missions the colonel kept raising. But, instead he quickly mentions the subject to the colonel and once he sees that the colonel begins to get angry he drops the subject, there again proving that he is a coward.

Despite the cowardly ways of Chaplin Tappman he really does have a good heart and wants people to be happy. Even though he is afraid to speak up for himself he wants to make sure no one is upset or angry. He seems to be the only one out of all the men who actually cares about how the other men feel which also makes him the outcast from all the other men. But he is greatful when Yossarian and Dunbar befriend him. He tries the best way he knows how to comfort the men lying in the hospital showing his good-heart toward those men.

Catch 22 #2

Going along with the previous prompt, pick one of the following character names (Yossarian, Orr, Nately, Aarfy, Dori Duz, Hungry Joe, Clevenger, or Lt. Scheisskopf) and explain its significance.

Yes, I realize this question comes directly from your study guide. The point of part of the blog is cut down the amount of time we will need to review when you come back to school.

If you have questions about the reading, send them to me and I will post them on the blog. Your classmates will help you resolve the problems and you will both earn extra credit assuming the questions are worthwhile and more than simple reading comprehension.

Catch 22 #1

Wow! What a long list of characters. Can you tell them all apart? First task: Pick a character from the novel and sum him/her up in two or three colorful, descriptive adjectives. Then explain why you have chosen those words to define the character. Once a character is posted, you may add or make comments to the original person that posted, but do not list that character again. If you comment, be sure you are not repeating what is already stated. You will not get credit for repetition.