What are the reasons for Tommy Wilhelm’s failure in modern competition in Seize the Day

What are the reasons for Wilhelm’s failure in modern competition?

“Seize the Day” is a novella by Saul Bellow (1915-2005), published in 1956. It revolves around the character Tommy Wilhelm, an unsuccessful and struggling middle-aged man. He faces a series of setbacks and failures throughout the story. Here are some key points discussing the reasons for Wilhelm’s failure in modern competition.

Lack of Clear Goals: One of Wilhelm’s fundamental issues is his lack of clear goals and direction in life. He seems to drift from one endeavor (attempt) to another without a well-defined purpose. He dabbles in (scratches the surface of) acting, sales, and even stock trading without committing to any of them. This lack of focus prevents him from making meaningful progress.

Financial and Emotional Instability: Wilhelm’s financial struggles are apparent from the beginning. He is separated from his wife and estranged from his father. He still needs to provide financial support to his estranged wife. Tommy says to his wife,

You must realize you’re killing me… thou shalt not kill!

His financial struggles significantly impact his self-esteem and overall well-being. His inability to manage money puts him at a disadvantage in a competitive world where financial stability is crucial.

Moreover, Wilhelm is emotionally fragile and easily overwhelmed by stress and anxiety. It makes it difficult for him to handle the pressures of modern competition.

Dependency on Others: Throughout the story, Wilhelm’s financial troubles lead him to rely on others for support, including his father Dr. Adler and Tamkin. Dr. Adler doesn’t help his son financially or emotionally. Wilhelm says in Chapter 1,

Tamkin… tries to give me a hand, whereas Dad doesn’t want to be disturbed.

Tommy Wilhelm desperately needs his father’s help and sympathy, but his father refuses to give either. On the other hand, Tamkin manipulates Wilhelm and robs him of his last savings. Wilhelm’s dependency on others contributes to his failure in modern society, where self-reliance is often key to success.

Lack of Marketable Skills: Wilhelm lacks marketable skills that would make him a valuable asset in the competitive job market. Due to his inability to develop skills, he loses his job. He also had an unsuccessful career in acting.

Naivety and Gullibility: Wilhelm’s naivety (lack of wisdom) is evident in his interactions with Tamkin, a manipulative character. Tamkin takes advantage of Wilhelm’s vulnerability. Wilhelm’s willingness to believe Tamkin’s financial advice and get-rich-quick schemes make him an utter failure. Tamkim says,

Only the present is real — the here-and-now. Seize the day.

Dr. Tamkin manipulates Tommy by urging him to act, to take the opportunity in front of him.

Ineffective Communication: Wilhelm struggles to communicate effectively with the people around him, including his father and estranged wife. This lack of communication hampers his ability to form meaningful connections and resolve conflicts. It fails and isolates him further in a competitive society.

Inability to Adapt: The modern world is characterized by rapid change and evolving circumstances. Wilhelm’s inability to adapt to new situations hinders his ability to navigate the complexities of contemporary competition.

Inner Conflicts and Self-Doubt: Wilhelm battles with inner conflicts and self-doubt throughout the novella. These psychological struggles spoil his self-confidence, contributing to his failures in modern competition.

In conclusion, Wilhelm’s failures can be attributed to a combination of personal traits, external circumstances, and his inability to navigate the challenges posed by modern society effectively. The novella serves as a poignant exploration of the human condition and the difficulties individuals face when they are ill-prepared in a rapidly changing world.