Previous
Genre
Definition of Hyperbole
Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker exaggerates for the sake of emphasis. Hyperbolic statements are usually quite obvious exaggerations intended to emphasize a point... read full definition
Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker exaggerates for the sake of emphasis. Hyperbolic statements are usually quite obvious exaggerations... read full definition
Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker exaggerates for the sake of emphasis. Hyperbolic statements... read full definition
Chapter 39: The Eternal City
Explanation and Analysis—Amend, Hate, Revile:
Yossarian, AWOL in Rome in Chapter 39, has come to entirely hate Catch-22 and sees it as the root of evil, despite the fact that it does not exist. Still, he wants to do everything he can to destroy it:
[He was] cursing Catch-22 vehemently as he descended the stairs, even though he knew there was no such thing. Catch-22 did not exist, he was positive of that, but it made no difference. What did matter was that everyone thought it existed, and that was much worse, for there was no object or text to ridicule or refute, to accuse, criticize, amend, hate, revile, spit at, rip to shreds, trample upon or burn up.
The last sentence of this paragraph builds up into a rolling hyperbole, describing all the ways that Yossarian wishes to take down Catch-22. This use of hyperbole emphasizes the depth of Yossarian's anger and frustration and adds dramatic energy as the narrative propels itself toward its conclusion.
The purpose of this hyperbole in this instance (as is usually the case for that literary device) is to make the reader consider whether the untrue exaggeration could possibly be true and what the consequences of that scenario would be. For instance, when someone says that her head hurts so bad it feels as though it is splitting open, the listener considers what it would actually be like to have one's head split open and then has something of an idea of the pain the person is feeling.
So here readers see that Yossarian really has a violent, destructive mind, whether that is caused by his time in the war or by something innate. The ideas of hatred, violence, and destruction come quickly to the front of his mind here. And yet he truly hates the fallacious ways in which the war is justified, and this use of hyperbole emphasizes this fact, showing the reader the ends he would go to, if Catch-22 were only a physical thing. This serves to elaborate and clarify Yossarian's character. But Catch-22 does, certainly, have physical manifestations, including the officers who are its main proponents. This passage warns the reader and puts them on guard for the extent of Yossarian's possible retribution against Catch-22.
