Catch-22 Chapter Summary & Analysis - Chapter 25 "The Chaplain" Summary

Chapter 25 "The Chaplain" Summary

The chaplain, homesick for his wife and three children, is suffering an existential crisis of faith. While presiding over Snowden's funeral, the chaplain spies Yossarian's nude form sitting in a tree, which he takes for a vision. The chaplain recalls a strong sense of deja vu when he first met Yossarian, sensing that their prior meeting is somehow spiritually significant. The chaplain attempts unsuccessfully to speak to Major Major concerning the recent increase in flights.

En route back to his tent, the chaplain runs into a bedraggled, half-starved Captain Flume, who has been living in the forest to evade Chief White Halfoat's threat to slit his throat as he sleeps. Captain Flume is disappointed to learn that Chief White Halfoat has yet to make good on his promise to die of pneumonia. Back at his quarters, the chaplain discovers that his assistant, Whitcomb, has been promoted to sergeant by Colonel...
(read more)