When one is infatuated, faults are endearing that in others would be heinous

When one is infatuated, faults are endearing that in others would be heinous

In Joseph Heller's novel "Catch-22," the theme of infatuation and its ability to blind individuals to the faults of others is a prevalent one. The protagonist, Captain John Yossarian, finds himself infatuated with a young nurse named Luciana, despite her obvious flaws and shortcomings. In the context of the novel, Yossarian's infatuation with Luciana serves as a metaphor for the way in which people can overlook the faults of those they are infatuated with, even when those faults would be considered heinous in others.

Yossarian's infatuation with Luciana is a prime example of how infatuation can cloud one's judgment and perception of reality. Despite Luciana's selfishness, materialism, and lack of empathy, Yossarian is unable to see her faults for what they truly are. Instead, he sees them as endearing quirks that make her all the more attractive to him. This blindness to Luciana's faults ultimately leads Yossarian to make poor decisions and compromises his own values in order to maintain his infatuation with her.

Heller uses Yossarian's infatuation with Luciana to explore the idea that love and infatuation can often lead people to overlook the flaws and faults of others. In the context of "Catch-22," this theme is further emphasized by the absurdity and chaos of war, which serves as a backdrop for Yossarian's infatuation with Luciana. The novel suggests that in times of crisis and uncertainty, people are more likely to cling to the comfort and familiarity of infatuation, even if it means turning a blind eye to the faults of those they are infatuated with.

Overall, Heller's exploration of infatuation in "Catch-22" serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing love and infatuation to blind us to the faults of others. By highlighting the ways in which infatuation can distort our perception of reality and lead us to make poor decisions, Heller reminds us of the importance of seeing people for who they truly are, faults and all.