Final answer:
Catch-22, written by Joseph Heller in 1961, is known for its satirical criticism of war and political institutions, highlighting absurdities and echoing the sentiments of disillusionment found in 20th-century literature.
Step-by-step explanation:
Catch-22, a novel written in 1961 by Joseph Heller, exaggerates the problems of institutions in war and politics. Heller's novel is a satirical portrayal that challenges bureaucratic operation and reasoning, showing absurdity and disorientation in a setting shaped by World War II. In this respect, Heller's work echoes the disillusionment captured in Ernest Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms (1929), as well as the frustration with institutions during times of conflict showcased by various 20th-century authors.
The broader context includes authors such as George Orwell with 1984, which criticized modern society through a dystopian lens, and Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man, delineating struggles against a different form of totalitarianism. These works, alongside Heller's Catch-22, are part of a literary response to the disorienting changes and discontents from 1945 onward, as humanities grapple with postmodernism, politics, and social identity in the face of globalization, technological advances, and the prevalence of media.
Heller's criticism and satirical take invite comparisons to the historical studies of Bravin, Cowen, Gerges, and others who analyze 21st-century issues related to justice, economic stagnation, and international politics. Such comparisons underpin the novel's enduring relevance to discussions of societal structure and individual agency in the face of overwhelming institutional power.