Justify the Title of the Novel “Seize the Day.”

Answer

Justify the title of the novel “Seize the Day.”  

The title is significant for any literary work since it relates to the themes. The title of Saul Bellow’s (1915-2005) celebrated novel “Seize the Day,” published in a post-war world in 1956, holds significant meaning. It comes from the Latin phrase “Carpe Diem,” which means making the most of the present moment.

In this novel, the title is ironic because, instead of success, the protagonist, Tommy Wilhelm, struggles through a single day full of anxiety, failures, and inner conflict.

Tommy Wilhelm’s Struggles and Irony: Throughout the novel, Tommy Wilhelm’s life is chaos. He has lost his job, is separated from his wife, and is burdened by financial problems. He lives in a hotel with retired people. It highlights how out of place he feels in the world. Wilhelm constantly battles his internal fears and pressures. His father, Dr. Adler, refuses to offer him support. Tommy realizes:

The money makes the difference.

Speaking to his father, Dr. Adler, Tommy Wilhelm identifies money as the divisive force between himself and his father. Dr. Adler sees him as a failure who must deal with his own problems. In this context, the title “Seize the Day” becomes ironic, as Wilhelm is far from seizing control of his life.

The Urgency and Pressure: However, the title also reflects the urgency and pressure Wilhelm feels. The novel covers just one day, but within that day, Wilhelm experiences a lifetime’s worth of emotions, realizations, and struggles. He is desperate to find some stability and relief, whether by getting money through Dr. Tamkin’s risky investments or by seeking sympathy from his father. A 44-year-old man estranged from his wife and children, Wilhelm knows he is running out of time and options. So, he feels the need to “seize the day,” even though his efforts seem futile. The narrator says:

Oh, this was a day of reckoning … on

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