In structure, most novels use a straight-line approach: the plot unfolds from beginning to end. Even stories that start in the middle often return to a point in the past, and then tell events from that time up to the present. Both Catch-22 and Charming Billy, however, differ. They do not use time or order. The only way one can tell day from day, year from year, is by recalling certain landmark events in the plot. Yossarian and Billy are the main characters in each of the two books who regulate the time with their feelings about death. Past, present and future encounters with death guide each character's thoughts, emotions and decisions daily, in turn, regulating interactions with other characters. The two protagonists differ, however, as Yossarian invariably endeavors to avoid death, while Billy has one foot in the grave practically his whole life. Both McDermott and Heller's use of non-sequential structure provides for unique organization, as the imminent presence of death serves as the controlling force of time.
             Catch-22, set in the closing months of World War II in an American bomber squadron off Italy, depicts the theme of a tenacious desire of Yossarian to escape his own pending death. By manipulating the war setting and language itself, Heller depicts a dark and twisted society. Everything about the squadron represents death, but no one seems to notice except Yossarian. " 'They're trying to kill me,' Yossarian told him calmly. 'No one's trying to kill you ,' Clevinger cried. 'Then why are they shooting at me?' Yossarian asked. 'They're shooting at everyone,' Clevinger answered. 'They're trying to kill everyone'" (page 25). From the start of the novel, Yossarian is terrified of death. At first these references are comical; everyone wants to kill Yossarian? However, he is dead serious and runs into the hospital to escape flying m...