4
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Friday, April 26, 1968
Dangers from within worry Joseph Heller
American culture is in a state of disintegration, Joseph Heller, author of "Catch-22," said at a SUA Personality Forum in the Kansas Union Forum Room.
"America is not a single culture," Heller said, "but an assortment of subcultures with a great capacity to hate and fear each other."
Heller said his novel, "Catch-22," a satirical war novel, was not really a war novel. "Its subject was the condition America was existing in during the 1950's, and I was trying to show the danger of that time — McCarthyism, for example."
Many of the characters in the book were stereotypes of civilians of the 1950's, the author said. They faced danger, not so much from Germany in World War II, as from ineptitude and aggressive ambition within.
"I am more concerned now with the danger facing people from within their own culture rather than from foreign powers." Heller said.
The author said the subject of his novel, the danger to the American people from within, can readily be applied today.
Explaining the power structure in the novel, Heller said power emanated from above and filtered down, but pointed out that people who hold power aren't necessarily qualified.
"I'm afraid that too often power descends by accident," he said, and then pointed out that Lyndon Johnson took office after John Kennedy's assassination by reason of the rules of political succession.
Heller said America is just now realizing that the rest of the world is not uncivilized, adding that he himself was surprised to
learn that there was industry in North Vietnam.
"It's interesting," he said, "that North Vietnam manufactures cement which it sells to Hong Kong, which the United States in turn buys to build air strips—because it's cheaper than shipping cement from the United States."
People are becoming better educated, Heller said, and they no longer believe the national myths and lies which they have been told since childhood.
For example, America has been pictured as a peace-loving nation, he said, yet WWII no other country has vocalized the disposition to go to war more than this country.
There is a danger in this country of becoming morally inert, Heller said, and not being concerned with the problems of other people "when they don't directly affect us."
POPART LIGHTER and BEACH TOWEL
Authentic and attractive conversation pieces. The decorator touch for the IN den, bar, game room, apartment or pool side.
Beach Towel: 60 x 33 inches,
Fluffy white, imprinted with red and
blue Budweiser, Schlitz, or
Busch lable design. Each... $3.98
Pair $7.49
Lighter: Heavily plated and mounted in actual Bud, Schlitz, or Busch beer can.
Removes from can for easy
long-light refilling. Each...$3.98
Set of 3...$10.98
Prices include Tax and mailina—Dealer inquiries invited
BUD WILSON CO., INC.
Box 8247
Box 8247
Wichita, Kansas 67208 Here's S.
(check/money order) for my:
[ ] Beer-can Lighter(s)
Specify brand(s)
[ ] Beach Towel(s)
[ ] Beach Tower(s)
Specify label design(s)
NAME ___
ADDRESS ___
CITY___
STATE ___ ZIP___