The novel takes place during World War Two in an American army camp on the island of Pianosa as well as in Rome|Joseph Heller|Yossarian.|Sanity: Yossarian claims that he is the only sane one in the squadron and everyone else is crazy.Reality: In the novel, each soldier has to face the fact that there is a chance that he may never come down from a mission alive.Guilt: The death of Snowden plagues Yossarian throughout the war.|