Since the novel Catch-22 takes place in an army encampment during World War II, women are not mentioned very often in Yossarian's story. Yet Joseph Heller does not let their minimal presence reduce their affects on the characters and the plot itself, for women play a key role in the lives of Yossarian and his friends. Throughout the novel, women such as General Dreedle's assistant, Nately's whore, and Luciana, give insight on the men who interact with them.

Due to his desire to live life to the fullest before he dies and not miss out on anything, Yossarian falls madly in love with just about every woman he sees. In this way, these women play an important role in his life, and affect him emotionally. For instance, when he sees General Dreedle's assistant, Yossarian suddenly "moaned in deep despair suddenly at the thought that he might never see...