Is Seize the day as a novella? Why?
Seize the Day is a notable literary work by Saul Bellow. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Seize the Day.
Answer
Is “Seize the Day” a novella? Why? [NU: 2020]
Saul Bellow’s (1915-2005) “Seize the Day” (1956) is a famous story of failure and pain. It is short but powerful. It follows one day in the life of Tommy Wilhelm. It is not a long novel. It is not just a short story. It is a novella. The form, the length, and the focus make it clear.
Single Character Focus: The story mainly follows Tommy Wilhelm. He is a failed actor and salesman in New York. He is separated from his wife, Margaret. He is troubled by money. He depends on Dr. Tamkin and finally cheated. Wilhelm cries to God,
“Oh, God, let me out of my trouble.”
This deep focus on one man makes it a novella. It is not as wide as a novel. It is not too short like a story.
Limited Time and Place: The story happens in one single day. The action is on Broadway, hotels, and the market. We see Wilhelm walking, talking with his father, Dr. Adler, and meeting Tamkin. The setting is narrow. The time is short. This short time frame is the mark of a novella.
Strong Theme and Meaning: The story is short, but the message is big. It shows the suffering of Wilhelm. It shows human weakness, money, and failure. Tamkin says,
“The past is no good. The future is full of anxiety. Only the present is real. Seize the day.”
This gives deep meaning in a small space. It makes the story full of weight, though it is not long.
“Seize the Day” is a novella. It has one main character, Wilhelm. It covers one day in New York. It gives deep meaning in a short form.