Final answer:
Diction in Tennessee Williams's 'The Glass Menagerie' is exemplified by the playwright's use of poetic realism to depict the fragility of the characters' lives, mirroring their emotional struggles and desires.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question regarding diction in The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams touches on the playwright's use of language to create a particular effect and to develop characters within the play. The term diction refers to the choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing, which are meticulously selected to convey certain emotions, themes, or character traits. In The Glass Menagerie, Williams utilizes poetic realism to imbue emotional weight and a sense of struggle into his characters, who are often seen as misfits or outcasts.
For example, the fragile and illusionary nature of the character Laura is mirrored in the delicate and otherworldly nature of her glass menagerie, emblematic of her own inner world and escape from reality. The diction chosen by Williams—the use of words like delicate, fragile, and transparent—not only reflects the physical attributes of the glass figurines but also the precariousness of Laura's own existence.
Another character, Tom, uses poetic and often reflective language to express his inner turmoil and desire for escape from the confinements of his life. Tom's diction provides insight into his conflicted emotions and the weight of responsibility he feels for his family, especially for his sister Laura.