War is following his book, says author
The U.S. Army "is plagiarizing my whole damn book" in fighting the Vietnam war, the author of "Catch 22" said Wednesday night in Hoch Auditorium.
Joseph Heller, the author of the bestselling satirical novel on World War II, said the current military action in Vietnam is following his book almost to the letter.
Heller said he has heard his novel described as a funny war book, but though he intended "Catch 22" to be funny, he also intended that his comedy have a purpose.
"I tried to put comedy into the book as a means to an end," he said. "I wanted the reader to stop laughing all of a sudden and ask himself what he was laughing at."
Heller said "Catch 22." which in essence pointed out the inanity of war, did not really represent his feelings on World War II. "I rather enjoyed combat myself," he said, "as did just about everyone else who was overseas at the same time I was."
The purpose of the novel was to more or less warn people of the danger of an approaching
war. "It's not really a war novel, but a peace novel," he said.
Heller reminded the audience that the attitude of America at the time he wrote "Catch 22" deeply influenced his writing. He said this particular time in American history was a time of fear. This was the era when Joe McCarthy was running around calling everybody Communists, Heller said.
"I admire today's university student because he has been able to protest, organize and resist," Heller said. "This couldn't have been done back in the 1950's."
A student asked Heller if he thought there would always be a Sweden, referring to the Sweden in Heller's novel. In "Catch 22." Sweden was the country to go to if you were a serviceman who was sick of the war.
Heller replied that he didn't even know if there would always be an earth, let alone a Sweden—or a Canada. He did note, however, that places to go "to get away" were getting scarcer for those who were at odds with their government.
But Heller did not always stick to the serious side of things.
Noting the 250-person audience which left Hoch Auditorium virtually unoccupied, Heller said that Bobby Kennedy would probably draw a bigger audience—but that he, Heller, would make a better President. "I've got more vitality," he said.
Heller, in talking about "Catch 22," said it was definitely not a propaganda novel. "I'm much too slow a writer to try to influence people," he said.
When all questions had been answered, Heller sighed and told his audience, "Now I can put on my McCarthy button."
kansan
A student newspaper serving KU
78th Year, No.120
Thursday, April 25, 1968
LAWRENCE, KANSAS
Students cast Choice '68 ballots; results to be announced on May 4
By Robert Burdick Kansan Staff Reporter
Approximately 4,000 students cast their ballots Wednesday at the Choice '68 tables in Strong Hall, Murphy Hall, the Kansas Union and 10 University residence halls.
Voting was steady throughout the day at the various polls and was especially heavy in the residence halls, where over 1,500 votes were cast from 5 to 7 p.m.
The ballots were packaged Wednesday night and sent to the
WEATHER
Univac center in Chicago where they will be tabulated. The nation-wide results of Choice '68 will be announced May 4 by Time magazine, which sponsored the poll.
The U.S. Weather Bureau predicts shifting northwest winds 5 to 15 miles per hour late tonight with the low 40 to 45 degrees. Friday partly cloudy weather with little change in temperature is expected. Precipitation probabilities are 50 per cent tonight and 10 per cent Friday.
KU's results will be sent here shortly after the national results are made known.
"I was very pleased with the turnout but I expected even more to vote than did," Jack Rowe, Kansas City, Mo., junior and chairman of the ASC committee which coordinated Choice '68 at KU, said.
The heaviest turnout of the three campus polls was at Strong where a steady stream of students voted all morning and the first part of the afternoon, according to Deborah Groves, Hiawatha junior and head of the Strong voting table.
Miss Groves said that many people passing the booths had no idea what Choice '68 was but were eager to vote once the ballot was explained to them.
Students discussed issues of the poll at the Union table before and after voting, but there were never
Photo by Bruce Patterson
any arguments, Barbara Lee, Naperville, Ill., special student who worked all day at the Union poll, said.
About 4,000 students voted here Wednesday in the Choice' 68 poll sponsored by Time magazine. Heaviest turnout was at this table in the Strong Hall Rotunda.
GOOD VOTER TURNOUT
Students voting gave various reasons for what they hoped to accomplish through Choice '68. Some complained of limited choices on the poll's referendum issues and others were upset because they were not allowed to write-in for a second or third choice candidate.
"This is an easy way to make my viewpoint known. It would impress people if all students assumed a certain viewpoint in regards to the war in Vietnam," said Stephen Schroff, Shawnee Mission senior.
"I think this vote is a good idea because it will indirectly influence voters in the election. It's a good way of reaching the public with student opinion," Robert Bataille, Denville, N.J., graduate student, said.
Other students were less enthusiastic about the poll.
"I'm skeptical as to the value of the poll. I'm not certain it will influence the voting pattern or the politicians in America." David Janzen, London graduate student, said.
"I don't think the poll will accomplish anything. It is unlikely because most of the people voting will be unable to vote in November," Stephen Dunnett, Niagara Falls, Canada, graduate student, said.
Only one conflict between campus groups campaigning for various candidates and the Choice '68 program was reported.
Rowe explained that his Choice '68 committee was not allowed to put a banner on the outside of Strong and he did not think it would be fair to let other groups campaign there.
Kansans For Alternatives put up a banner for Eugene McCarthy outside of Strong which was taken down by a member of the Choice '68 committee.
NO PARKING PROBLEMS
Photo by Bruce Patterson
Jack Brink, Westport, Conn., freshman, gets his kicks and his transportation at the same time. Not only can he get to class faster, he has the satisfaction of flouting campus policemen and their little blue ticket books.
Senator Hatfield will speak at KU May 2
Sen. Mark O. Hatfield, R-Ore., will speak at KU May 2, Clif Conrad, Bismarck, N.D., junior and student body president, said Wednesday.
Variety show theme set
"Piccadilly Square" is the theme for the Project Concern variety show, which will be May 11 in Hoch Auditorium.
"We are trying to show in our own little way that people are lonely at first, but find other people and become happy," Drew Anderson, Plainville junior and director of the show. said.
Anderson said the five chorale sections of the show will be tied together by the poetry of Rod McKuen.
"The poetry will set the mood," he said. "We picked the music to fit the mood."
Anderson said the music for
The proceeds from the show will go to Project Concern.
the show will be mostly "music of today." The musical selections include "The Theme from the Valley of the Dolls," "I've Got You Under My Skin," "The Look of Love," "Love is Blue" and "The Theme from a Man and a Woman."
"The show will be simple but entertaining," Anderson said. "I think it has a lot to say."
Project Concern is the KU branch of Collegiates for Concern, which is an organization to raise money for a pediatrics clinic in Vietnam.
Hatfield's speech is set for 3:30 p.m., tentatively in Hoch Auditorium, Conrad said.
Hatfield's visit is sponsored jointly by the All-Student Council and the Student Union Activities featured speakers committee.
Bill Read, Coffeyville freshman, said Hatfield's visit has been planned for some time.
The senator's topic will be announced later today.
Hatfield is a former governor of Oregon who was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1966. Politically considered a dove, he sometimes has been considered a possible vice-presidential candidate.
Following his speech, Hatfield will attend a dinner at 5:15 p.m. in the Kansas Union. Attendance at the dinner will be by invitation only. Conrad said.