Definition of Yossarian

Also covered in this article are the characters Snowden and Yo-Yo's Roomies.

Yossarian is a fictional character in Joseph Heller's novel Catch-22 and its sequel Closing Time. Yossarian is the protagonist of both stories. In Catch-22, Yossarian is a 28-year-old Captain in the 256th squadron of the Army Air Forces where he serves as a B-25 bombardier stationed on the small island of Pianosa off the Italian mainland during World War II. Yossarian's exploits are based on the experiences of the author: Heller was also a bombardier in the Air Corps, stationed on an island off the coast of Italy during World War II. He is fond of Italian women.