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Seize the Day Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Seize the Day


Tommy is confused in this novel. his changing of his name
cannot change his past or his life.He is still the same because he does nothing in reality.Tommy Wilhelm once wanted to be an actor. He had a pleasing face, and went to California to audition. He was not succesful. He had the wrong angles in front of a camera--he looked like a lumbering bear. Now he pops phenobarbitals, fetching them from his crumbly pocket where they are packed in tinfoil, suppressing the resentment towards his father, who won't help him with money or love--the eminent father so admired for his distinguished medical career. Wilhelm is exasperated by the canny way his father fends off requests for cash. Tommy tries to make it on his own--a psychologist friend seems to make money in the stock market.
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The review of this Book prepared by leo




Tommy Wilhelm once wanted to be an actor. He had a pleasing face, and went to California to audition. He was not succesful. He had the wrong angles in front of a camera--he looked like a lumbering bear. Now he pops phenobarbitals, fetching them from his crumbly pocket where they are packed in tinfoil, suppressing the resentment towards his father, who won't help him with money or love--the eminent father so admired for his distinguished medical career. Wilhelm is exasperated by the canny way his father fends off requests for cash. Tommy tries to make it on his own--a psychologist friend seems to make money in the stock market.
The review of this Book prepared by Damon LaBarbera




A man is slowy crushed by famly and internal pressure. But through his pain there may be hope.
The review of this Book prepared by Bill Hice




The day of reckoning has arrived for Tommy Wilhelm. Living in the same hotel as his successful 80 year old doctor father, Tommy is on the brink of disaster. He is separated from his wife and kids, his wife demands ever increasing amounts of money, he is at odds with his father, he's quit his salesman's job because an in-law of the firm got promoted above him, he is failed in his acting career and has just given his last $700 to a philosophising con man to speculate on lard on margin. Tommy reviews his past mistakes and spiritual malaise and at the end of the day is left weeping alone in a church at a stranger's funeral.
The review of this Book prepared by John Marcel



Chapter Analysis of Seize the Day

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Plot & Themes

Tone of book?    -   thoughtful Time/era of story    -   1930's-1950's Poverty, surviving    -   Yes Kind of living:    -   general poverty story Family, struggle with    -   Yes Struggle with:    -   Father (or standin) Internal struggle/realization?    -   Yes Is this an adult or child's book?    -   Adult or Young Adult Book Drinking/Drugs problems?    -   drugs

Main Character

Gender    -   Male Profession/status:    -   unemployed Age:    -   40's-50's Ethnicity/Nationality    -   White (American) Unusual characteristics:    -   Super sensitive soggy jelly muffin

Setting

How much descriptions of surroundings?    -   4 () United States    -   Yes The US:    -   Northeast City?    -   Yes City:    -   New York Misc setting    -   resort/hotel

Writing Style

Amount of dialog    -   roughly even amounts of descript and dialog

Books with storylines, themes & endings like Seize the Day

Saul Bellow Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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