The tragedy of genius

Tennessee Williams started life with two strikes against him: he was born into a dysfunctional, alcoholic and sometimes violent home, and he was a homosexual at a time in America when this was a cause for real shame. Through his native gifts for language, his expansive soul and persistent work, he not only created beautiful works of art that amaze, amuse and enlighten the human condition but also suffered the kind of cruel fate that seems reserved for those among us with extraordinary gifts. According to his biographer, Williams really never found the love he deeply needed—we all need—and died alone, a heartbroken alcoholic and addict.

His gifts lifted him from the conditions of his birth and childhood to international fame and fortune but this was not enough to save him from eventual suicide despite the many, and loving, attempts to...