『때를 잡아라』(Seize the Day) 속에 나타난 자아추구

Seize the Day : Sufferings and Acceptance of Reality

Wilhelm experiences many sufferings, whether the cause comes from his character's flaws or the unaccommodation of social environment and system. However, the sufferings enable him to accept his circumstances and even to realize brotherhood in the end. In the process of Wilhelm's undergoing all sorts of hardships, reality instructors, who often appear as major characters in Saul Bellow's works, play an important role in realizing his situation and, furthermore, his reality. Reality instructors in Seize the Day are Dr. Adler(Wilhelm's father), Dr. Tamkin(a quack psychiatrist), Margaret(his wife) including New York(the biggest city), etc. While Wilhelm tries to escape from the reality of life desperately, he suddenly realizes brotherhood and humanity one day too easily. In fact, it seems to be a little doubtful turning in the reverse direction. But his acceptance of reality makes us feel humanity feebly through his self-awareness, although he didn't go by way of social accommodation. Wilhelm, crying from deeper feeling before the dead man who has never seen, has a kind of catharsis, spiritual ecstasy through the imagery of drowning in the water. He also sheds tears with his remorse and compassion, regarding the death of stranger as the symbol of his own death and of every man's death. And finally it can be said that he returned to life as a new man, recovering humanity though it is faint.