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 which … he would … look at the truth.

Tommy Wilhelm feels the pressure and understands the urgency and significance of the day’s trading. The novel’s title perfectly captures Wilhelm’s urgency to be successful and adds a layer of tension to the novel.

Dr. Tamkin’s Message and Manipulation: Another way the title “Seize the Day” fits the novel is through Wilhelm’s relationship with Dr. Tamkin. Tamkin, a fraud, tries to guide Wilhelm to live in the present and not to be concerned with the past or future. Tamkin represents the idea of seizing the day, as he advises Wilhelm to focus on the opportunities before him rather than worrying about what might go wrong. Dr. Tamkin says:

The past is no good to us. The future is full of anxiety. Only the present is real—the here-and-now. Seize the day.

Tamkin’s advice is a manipulative mantra because it leads Tommy Wilhelm to invest in the share market without considering the risks.

Wilhelm’s Emotional Release: In the novel’s final scene, Wilhelm reaches a point of emotional release. At a stranger’s funeral, he cries openly, letting out all his pent-up (repressed) emotions and fears. This moment of catharsis can be seen as Wilhelm’s way of finally seizing the day—not by achieving success or solving his problems, but by confronting his deepest emotions and facing the reality of his life. The narrator says:

He … sank deeper than sorrow … toward the consummation of his heart’s ultimate need.

Although his day does not end with a triumphant victory, it is a turning point for him. The tears he sheds symbolize a breakthrough, where he momentarily accepts his pain and isolation. In a sense, this act of embracing his emotions is Wilhelm’s way of seizing the day.

In conclusion, the title “Seize the Day” is both ironic and fitting for the novel. While Wilhelm’s life is filled with failure and struggle, the novel highlights his attempt to grasp the day’s opportunities, being manipulated, and realizing the realities of life.