Captain Joseph Yossarian, a World War II bombardier, is being stationed on the island of Pisona. He is an individualist who seeks to protect his own life by fleeing to the hospital, since catch-22 prevents him from either being grounded for illness or obtaining a leave. He enjoys living the ward; all his meals are served to him, and in turn, he simply needs to feign having pain in his liver and censor letters of …showed first 75 words of 1411 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1411 total…as he likes them. If he does not give in, he will be court-martialed for being involved in black market practices. Yossarian protests against such wrongful accusations, but the officers claim they are justified in jailing an innocent man to keep the war effort going. Left without any other choice, Yossarian runs away to avoid court-martialing as well as Nately's whore, who is trying to kill him to avenge Nately's death.