Closing Time, Heller focuses upon Inthree major characters: Sammy Singer, Lew Rabinowitz, and John Yossarian, all of whom are alter egos of the author. In fact, in this highly autobiographical novel, Heller has Sammy Singer reminisce about Joey Heller, who lived in the apartment house across the street and shared his aspiration to be a writer.

Sammy represents Heller's gentle and nostalgic self. A Jew short of stature and fearful of getting beaten up, Sammy was raised in Coney Island. He then fought in World War II as a tail gunner; indeed, he was in Yossarian's bomber when Snowden died. After receiving a college education on the GI Bill, Sammy taught in Pennsylvania for two years before becoming an advertising copywriter in the promotion department of Time magazine. Heller depicts Sammy as a man who finds satisfaction in life through his friendship with Lew and his commitment to...