The Ambiguity of Dr. Tamkin in Saul Bellow's Seize the Day

IR Web Site

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • 曖昧な「詐欺師」像 : その意味と可能性 : ソール・ベロー『この日をつかめ』再考
  • 曖昧な「詐欺師」像-その意味と可能性--ソール・ペロー「この日をつかめ」再考
  • アイマイ ナ サギシ ゾウ ソノ イミ ト カノウセイ ソール ペロー コノヒ オ ツカメ サイコウ

Search this article

Abstract

As Richard Chase, the critic, once commented Saul Bellow's Seize the Day (1956) is widely considered "the best single piece Bellow has ever written." Surely Tommy Wilhelm, the protagonist, is skillfully described as a kind of "schlemiel" hero, who is repeatedly to be seen among Bellovian heroes. In this novel, however, readers must pay more attention to Dr. Tamkin, the antagonist as well as the protagonist. In many cases, he is regarded as a charlatan or a confidence man, who tricks Wilhelm out of all his money, but the characterization Bellow has given to Tamkin is even more complicated and ambiguous; in other words, he is not merely a con man, but also possesses the qualities of an initiator, or a spiritual leader. Therefore, in order to grasp the work correctly, it is necessary to clarify the ambiguity that lies in the characterization of Dr. Tamkin.

Article

Journal

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top