What does Williams say about the role of the poet in “The Glass Menagerie”?

Answer

What does Williams say about the role of the poet in “The Glass Menagerie”? [2018] ✪✪✪ 

Tennessee Williams’ (1911–1983) play “The Glass Menagerie” (1944) is a “memory play.” Through the character of Tom Wingfield, he expresses his own ideas about the role of a poet in human life. Williams shows that the poet is both a creator and a sufferer of truth.   

Poet as a Dreamer: Tom is not only a narrator but also a poet. He loves imagination and art. He says in  Scene 1, 

“I’m a poet with a job.” 

This line shows that he feels trapped in his dull work but still dreams of freedom. The poet, like Tom, is sensitive and restless. He searches for beauty and meaning in a cruel, mechanical world.

Poet as a Truth-Seeker: The poet’s duty is to express truth through imagination. Tom says,

“I give you truth in the pleasant disguise of illusion.” 

This means that art transforms painful reality into beauty. For Williams, the poet does not lie. He shows emotional truth through symbols and memories. The play itself is Tom’s poetic vision of his past.       

Poet as an Escapist: Williams also shows that the poet often escapes from harsh reality. Tom goes to the movies every night to forget his problems. But escape cannot bring peace. In the end, he leaves home to live freely, but never forgets his sister Laura. His imagination becomes both his gift and his burden.  

Poet as a Memory-Keeper: The poet keeps alive the memory of lost love. Tom says in Scene 7,

“Blow out your candles, Laura — and so goodbye.”

This shows that memory becomes his poem. The poet turns sorrow into art.

So, in “The Glass Menagerie”, Williams shows the poet as a dreamer, a truth-seeker, and a memory-keeper. Through Tom, he proves that a poet’s soul cannot escape truth or emotion.