Joseph Heller wrote his satirical novel, Catch-22, geared towards the mentality of veterans of American conflicts, as it quickly became a cult novel for veterans of the Korean and Vietnam wars. They are the ones who can put the satire used in this book into perspective. The veterans of these wars, and all people like them, are those who were actually there and had seen and experienced the Catch-22 in action. Satirical humor is usually only comical to those who understand the context. This means that only certain people would be able to relativize certain types of satire. In Joseph Heller's Catch-22, the types of satire focused on the absurdity of war and all similar political institutions. As Heller himself said, "Catch-22 was more political than psychological." Referring to the political and psychological stance taken by the book. Satire is a pretty powerful element in literature. It can take a serious book, and just by twisting a few words, it can seem like "funny horror" to some people. The composition of the satire in this book is purely incongruous and consists mainly of black or dark humor. Dark or dark humor and incongruity were mainly contained in the names of the characters and in the absurd situations that happened to them. Here are some examples of satire in character names; Lieutenant/General Schiesskopf, Piltchard and Wren, General Dreedle and Colonel Korn. These would be considered satire for the very reason that they all have a double meaning. For example, in the name Lieutenant/General Schiesskopf, Schiesskopf is German and the German translation almost means S**thead. It's comical because it ultimately...... middle of paper......r is usually only comical to those who understand the context. This means that only certain people would be able to relativize certain types of satire. In Joseph Heller's Catch-22, the types of satire focused on the absurdity of war and all similar political institutions. As Heller himself said, "Catch-22 was more political than psychological." Referring to the political and psychological stance taken by the book. Satire is a pretty powerful element in literature. It can take a serious book, and just by twisting a few words, it can seem like "funny horror" to some people. The composition of the satire in this book is purely incongruous and consists mainly of black or dark humor. Dark or dark humor and incongruity were mainly contained in the names of the characters and in the absurd situations that happened to them..