Nately's whore was hiding just outside the door. The knife came down, missing him by inches, and he took off.Even though Yossarian is not directly responsible for Nately's death, Nately's woman blames him, and to an extent Yossarian blames himself. This is probably why he feels it is his responsibility to take care of the kid sister. The importance of this last paragraph didn't hit me until about an hour ago, but I finally understand its significance. When Yossarian makes the deal with Colonel Korn and Colonel Cathcart, Nately's whore succeeds at stabbing him. The serious injury suggests that the act of agreeing with them is a metaphorical death for Yossarian. He manages to escape from her at the end when he decides to run away. This acts as proof that he is doing the right thing by not complying with military authority. As if one needed more assurance that selling out to the man is not cool. Way to fight the power, Y.
Until Next Time,
Alysse
Very good analysis in that Nately's whore succeeds in stabbing Yossarian when he agrees to the deal with Colonel Cathcart and Colonel Korn. This indeed was the death of him if he would have gone through with the deal because he gave up his pride. When he decided to run away from the military he did end up escaping Nately's whore and he escaped the death of his inner-self as well.
ReplyDeleteI like it, Alysse. I couldn't really figure out the end either, except that he was finally free. I thought maybe it meant that the whore was going to continue to chase Yossarian where ever he went; but I think you're right- by escaping the army he will escape the danger of her.
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