The Apollonian And The Dionysian Spirits In Seize The Day

The thesis analyzes Saul Bellow's Seize the Day by using the theory of the Apollonian spirit and the Dionysian spirit.The Apollonian spirit represents love and goodness and the Dionysian spirit represents breaking taboo and releasing desire.These traits can deeply interpret the main characters.The novelette describes the social prosperity on the appearance,which is corresponding to the Apollonian beautiful illusion.The novelette describes the money worship in capitalist reality,which is corresponding to the Dionysian indulgence and release.The thesis aims to reveal Bellow's concern for humanity and reflection of capitalist social ills.The Apollonian spirit and the Dionysian spirit are Friedrich Nietzsche's dichotomy concepts.The Apollonian spirit symbolizes the order,reason,restraint and wisdom;whereas the Dionysian spirit symbolizes the instinctive impulse,indulgence,and infatuating intoxication.Under the shine of Apollo,the world is pure,transparent,and beautiful;whereas the essence of Dionysus is passion.People immerse in the pleasure of destruction in passion.This thesis consists of five chapters.Chapter One is concerned with the introduction to Saul Bellow,and Seize the Day,the literature review,and the innovative point of the thesis.Chapter Two is about the philosophy theory.The Apollonian spirit and the Dionysian spirit,and the relationship between them.Chapter Three and chapter four are the main parts of the thesis.Chapter Three analyzes the traits of Wilhelm,Dr.Adler and Dr.Tamkin from the perspective of the Apollonian spirit and the Dionysian spirit.Wilhelm retains good human nature of kindness and love in alienated society,which show the Apollonian spirit.Dr.Adler has strong desires.He is an egoist breaking the bondage of responsibility,which shows the Dionysian spirit.Dr.Tamkin is a complex character.He is Wilhelm's spiritual mentor and psychological doctor,which shows the Apollonian spirit.He releases lust and is not restricted by moral,which shows the Dionysian spirit.Chapter Four analyzes the money worship and social alienation under the affluent capitalist society from the perspective of the Apollonian spirit and the Dionysian spirit.The chapter reveals the capitalist social ills under the veil of prosperous appearance.Chapter Five is the conclusion.The thesis thinks that people need to overcome the lust and temptation to have good humanity.The thesis reveals the social materialisticism and alienation under the appearance of the developed capitalism society.There still has realistic significance to expose the human nature and society by Saul Bellow.