George Meredith once reasoned, "The true test of comedy is that it will awaken a thoughtful laugh." The importance of encouraging thoughtful laughter in comedy lies in its ability to humorously provoke reflection on some larger idea or theme. In the dark comedy Catch-22, Joseph Heller provides witty writing and action along with meaningful themes, a combination that unleashes this kind of "thoughtful laughter." In particular, the humorous confusion and frustration surrounding Dr. Daneeka's supposed death lends itself greatly to this concept. Although the ridiculousness of the humorous scene may seem trivial compared to the development of the plot, Heller stimulates reflection on both the power of official documents and the dehumanization of soldiers by inhuman officers. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayHeller uses the scene as a means to reveal that during a time of war, written statements on a form have significantly greater importance than the reality of the situation. Indeed, the confusion surrounding Dr. Daneeka's death stems from Sergeant Towser and the War Department's reluctance to accept the reality of what is shown on the flight logs. “With lips still trembling, Towser stood and reluctantly shuffled out to break the bad news to Gus and Wes, discreetly avoiding any conversation with Doc Daneeka himself as he approached the thin, sepulchral figure of the flight surgeon” (Heller 340 ). Towser acknowledges Daneeka's existence, but avoids taking action because Daneeka "has given every indication of proving an even thornier administrative problem for him" (340). In addition to Towser's recorded apology for ignoring Dr. Daneeka, Mrs. Daneeka has difficulty with relationships. An illegible letter from her husband gave the woman hope after she received a War Department telegram that her husband had been killed in action. Ultimately, however, he turns his “painful cries of lament” (341) to rejoicing in his newfound wealth from numerous insurance benefits as he begins to accept the War Department's continued rejection. In a final, emotional letter from Dr. Daneeka, he implores his wife to acknowledge his existence; however, this is immediately contrasted with Colonel Cathcart's overly general response: "Dear Mrs., Mr., Miss, or Mr. and Mrs. Daneeka: Words cannot express the deep personal pain I felt when your husband, son, father or brother was killed, wounded or reported missing" (344). This constant battle between the imperfect, moving letters that clearly come from an emotional Daneeka and the bureaucracy's aloof responses, while ridiculous in nature, serves to illuminate an important theme in the novel: the power that documentation has on humanity. In the broad perspective of the novel, Catch-22 is simply documentation that may or may not exist, but which certainly determines the soldiers' activity. Because of this scene's significance within the text, the audience is able to delve into the humor by questioning or confirming the veracity of Heller's claims about the official documentation, thus awakening thoughtful laughter. This chapter also elicits thoughtful laughter because of Heller's hyperbole about the dehumanization of soldiers. Colonel Cathcart's inhuman character is particularly targeted through his letter to Mrs. Daneeka. One might predict that the commander of a slain man's group would write a more concerned letter rather than such a superficial phrase and..