racter, Tommy Wilhelm, feels this pressure deeply. When he was young, Wilhelm wanted to achieve the American Dream. He left college and went to Hollywood to become a movie actor. But this dream never came true. Instead, he lost both money and opportunities. Later in life, he feels regret, sadness, and helplessness. His failure shows how chasing the American Dream can often bring disappointment instead of happiness.

Competitive Nature of Society: The novel also shows how competitive American society is. People are always fighting with each other to be more successful, whether in business, the stock market, or even in daily life. Wilhelm’s father, Dr. Adler, represents this side of society. Dr. Adler is a retired doctor. He believes success comes only through self-discipline and effort. He looks down on Wilhelm as a failure. He does not help his son. He tells him to solve his own problems. Wilhelm sadly learns that—

“The money makes the difference.”

This shows how American society often respects only those who succeed and ignores or criticizes those who fail.

Loneliness and Alienation: Another important theme in the novel is the loneliness and emptiness of city life. New York City is full of people, noise, and activity. But Wilhelm feels completely alone there. He lives in Hotel Gloriana, surrounded by old people who have retired. But he does not feel connected to anyone. The narrator says:

“It was the punishment of hell itself not to understand or to be understood.”

This means Wilhelm cannot express himself. Others do not try to understand him either. Even with his own father, he cannot have a real conversation. In this way, Bellow shows that in a big city, people care only about themselves and their ambitions. The result is emotional emptiness and alienation.

Materialism and Appearance: Materialism is another big part of American society. People are judged by how much money they have, how they dress, and what they own. Even small characters like Rubin, the hotel worker, and Mr. Perls spend their time discussing clothes, appearances, and material things. The narrator says:

“Everyone was supposed to have money ... They’d be ashamed not to have it.”

This shows how deeply society is ruled by materialism. In such a world, people are ashamed if they do not look wealthy.

Unstable and Uncertain: The novel also shows how unstable and uncertain modern American life can be, especially in matters of money. Wilhelm trusts a tricky and unreliable man like Dr. Tamkin. He puts his last bit of savings into the stock market. But the stock market is uncertain, and Wilhelm loses everything. This uncertainty shows modern American life in general. Just like the market, people’s lives can change very suddenly. Fortune and stability can disappear at any moment.

In conclusion, “Seize the Day” paints a critical picture of American life and society. Saul Bellow shows that materialism, loneliness, and competition dominate people’s lives. Money and success are valued above love, kindness, and human connection. People who fail to achieve the American Dream are left isolated and hopeless.