Theme of Isolation in the Novel “Seize The Day.”

Answer

Comment on the theme of isolation in the novel “Seize The Day.”  

The theme of isolation is central to Saul Bellow’s (1915-2005) novel “Seize the Day,” published in a post-war world in 1956. The novel portrays Tommy Wilhelm as a man struggling with deep feelings of loneliness and separation, both from society and from the people closest to him. Tommy’s isolation is not just physical but also emotional and psychological.

The theme of isolation in the novel “Seize The Day”: Through the character of Tommy Wilhelm, the novel explores how modern life, with its financial pressures and materialism, can lead to a profound sense of isolation.

Isolation Within Family: From the very beginning of the novel, Wilhelm’s isolation is clear. He is a 44-year-old man estranged from his wife and children, living in the Hotel Gloriana. It is a place mostly occupied by elderly retirees. He does not belong in this environment and feels out of place among the older residents.

His father, Dr. Adler, also lives in the same hotel. Even though they are living in the same hotel, Wilhelm is emotionally distant from him. Dr. Adler represents the successful, self-reliant figure who refuses to help Wilhelm either financially or emotionally. 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 his son as a failure who must deal with his own problems. This rejection from his father increases Wilhelm’s sense of isolation.

Separation from Wife and Children: Wilhelm’s separation from his wife and children further adds to his loneliness. Although he loves his children, he is unable to live with them. Tommy’s wife refuses to grant him a divorce because she wants to get financial benefits from him. The narrator says,

The peculiar burden of … existence lay upon him … That must be what a man was for.

Tommy Wilhelm considers the obligations of his roles as man, father, son, and husband. He feels the purpose of his existence seems to be to carry the burden of his family, and it is crushing him.

Isolation in New York City: The city of New York, where the novel is set, also plays a significant role in depicting Wilhelm’s isolation. The bustling, crowded environment is full of people, yet Wilhelm feels “alone in a crowd.” The urban landscape is a symbol of modern isolation, where people are surrounded by others but remain disconnected. The narrator says,

It was the punishment of hell itself not to understand or to be understood.

Tommy Wilhelm finds it impossible to communicate with people in the city, even his own father.

Psychological Isolation: Another aspect of Wilhelm’s isolation is his internal conflict. Much of the novel is spent inside his mind. It shows the constant back-and-forth of his thoughts. Wilhelm’s inner turmoil and self-doubt keep him trapped in his own world, making it difficult for him to connect with others. He battles with his guilt, regret, and fear, which isolate him further from those around him.

Wilhelm and Dr. Tamkin: Even in his interactions with Dr. Tamkin, who acts as a surrogate father figure, Wilhelm is unsure whether he can trust him. The uncertainty and ambiguity surrounding Tamkin’s character make Wilhelm feel even more alone. Tamkin encourages him to invest in the stock markets. Tamkin says,

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

It becomes Tamkin’s manipulative mantra as he destroys Wilhelm’s last savings, leaving him alone.

In conclusion, “Seize the Day” vividly portrays the theme of isolation through the character of Tommy Wilhelm. His disconnection from family, society, and even himself reflects the loneliness and alienation that many people experience in the modern world.