Chapter 1: The Texan

In the first chapter of Catch-22, Yossarian is a soldier in World War II who has faked an illness in order to avoid being sent back to the front lines. He is being treated in an Italian military hospital, where he and other patients are required to censor letters being sent between soldiers and their loved ones. Yossarian enjoys playing games with the letters and is annoyed by a patriotic Texan who has been admitted to the ward. Eventually, almost all of the patients, including Yossarian, leave the hospital and return to active duty due to their irritation with the Texan.