Major Major's Rise and Fall

The tragicomic story of Major Major, from birth to reclusive squadron commander.

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Birth and naming

The Unfortunate Name The Father's Joke Major Major's father, a farmer, names him Major Major Major as a practical joke. His mother dies when she learns the name. The father is pleased. The Childhood Major Major grows up lonely, resembling Henry Fonda. He is shunned. He becomes a nonconformist by obeying all rules. The Education He studies English history, then American literature. The F.B.I. opens a file on him. He is drafted and made a major by an I.B.M. machine with a sense of humor.

Squadron commander appointment

The Promotion The Announcement Colonel Cathcart appoints Major Major squadron commander after Major Duluth is killed. He tells him it means nothing. Major Major is stunned. The Isolation The men who played basketball with him now shun him. He is treated as an outsider. He tries to eat with them but is forced to sit alone. The Recluse Major Major retreats to his office, seeing no one. He jumps out the window to avoid visitors. He becomes a recluse, forging Washington Irving's name on documents.

Forging Washington Irving

The New Hobby The Discovery Major Major signs Washington Irving's name on official documents. He enjoys it. The documents stop coming back. He feels productive. The C.I.D. Investigation Two C.I.D. men investigate. Major Major lies to them, protecting himself. He switches to John Milton. He becomes more adept at deception. The Solitude Major Major's life is one of isolation. He has no friends. He is a prisoner of his rank and name. His story is a satire of bureaucratic absurdity.

Encounter with Yossarian

The Confrontation The Tackle Yossarian tackles Major Major in the ditch and demands to be grounded. Major Major is forced to talk to him. He tells Yossarian that Doc Daneeka is the only one who can ground him. The Admission Major Major admits he can do nothing. He advises Yossarian to see the chaplain. This is the only time he exerts any influence. The Aftermath Major Major returns to his reclusive life. He eventually disappears, possibly "disappeared" by the system. His fate is ambiguous.

Before the war, Major Major's birth

After Major Duluth's death

After the first C.I.D. man's visit

When Yossarian tackles him in the ditch