Why were Colonel Cathcart and Colonel Korn so determined to undermine each other?

Question

In *Catch-22*, both Colonel Cathcart and Colonel Korn seem bound and determined to undermine each other. I know both of them are desperately trying to get promoted (to the point of doing absolutely absurd things to do so), but why such schadenfreude on their parts when the other experienced some kind of misfortune?

Answer 1

Hi! A useful way to understand Cathcart and Korn’s relationship in Catch-22 is that they’re allies who need each other, but don’t genuinely respect each other.

Cathcart has the higher rank, yet he depends on Korn’s intelligence and advice. That creates tension: Cathcart wants to feel superior, but relying on Korn reminds him that being in charge doesn’t necessarily mean having the best judgment.

Korn, meanwhile, considers Cathcart foolish. But instead of simply trying to get rid of him, Korn recognizes that Cathcart’s position can help him advance his own interests. He can influence decisions while allowing Cathcart to remain the official authority.

That helps explain their schadenfreude—which means taking pleasure in someone else’s misfortune. When one looks foolish, the other gets a moment of satisfaction from feeling smarter or more capable. It’s about ego and control, not just promotion.

Their relationship also supports Heller’s satire of military bureaucracy. These officers become preoccupied with personal status and reputation instead of the responsibilities they’re supposed to share.

So the key point is this: they cooperate because it benefits them, but they undermine each other because neither wants to feel inferior.