Seize the Day

Novel | Saul Bellow
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What are the reasons for Tommy Wilhelm's failure in modern competition in Seize the Day

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What are the reasons for Wilhelm’s failure in the modern competition? [NU: 2017] ★★★

Saul Bellow’s (1915-2005) “Seize the Day” (1956) is about one painful day in New York City. The hero Wilhelm Adler, once an actor, is now a failed salesman. He struggles with money, family, and his own mind. His father, Dr. Adler, rejects him. Dr. Tamkin misguides him. In Broadway streets and market rooms, Wilhelm fails in modern competition.

Wilhelm’s Wrong Dreams and Weak Choices: Wilhelm leaves college and tries to act in Hollywood. He uses the name Tommy Wilhelm but fails. Later, he becomes a salesman of children’s furniture, but also loses this job. He always chooses wrongly. Dr. Adler tells him he is careless. Wilhelm admits his mistakes. He says, 

“You can spend the entire second half of your life recovering from the mistakes of the first half.” 

His wrong dreams and weak willpower bring failure.

Wilhelm

’s Dependence on Others: Wilhelm depends too much on people like Dr. Tamkin. In Broadway’s market, Tamkin takes Wilhelm’s money and says, 

“Money-making is aggression. People come to the market to kill.” 

Wilhelm believes this and invests. He waits nervously in the market room. But Tamkin disappears, leaving him helpless. Wilhelm also depends on his father, but Dr. Adler says coldly that he cannot always pay for him. This dependence makes Wilhelm weak in modern competition.

Wilhelm’s Inner Weakness and Confusion: Wilhelm is restless in the New York streets. He thinks too much and cries for help. He prays, 

“Oh God… let me out of my trouble.” 

He cannot control his emotions. Wilhelm cannot escape his suffering. He feels guilty, lost, and confused. This inner weakness destroys his chance in competition.

Wilhelm fails because of wrong choices, dependence, and inner weakness. In New York’s market and streets, he shows the struggle of a modern man. His tragedy in “Seize the Day” is the tragedy of human failure.

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Saul Bellow
Literary Writer
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