The Great Figure Resources

Websites

The Poetry Foundation

Find some of Williams's most famous poems and read a lengthy biography, including info on his feud with T.S. Eliot.

On "The Great Figure"

The Modern American Poetry website includes a page on Williams's poem, with juicy biographical info and critical analysis.

Video

"The Great Figure"
A fascinating video that captures the movement and excitement of the poem using old-time siren sounds and footage of fire trucks.

Audio

PennSound
This website features an amazing collection of audio readings by Williams. Sadly, it does not include "The Great Figure," but there's plenty else to hold your interest.

Images

"I Saw the Figure 5 in Gold"

Charles Demuth's famous painting, based on Williams's poem.

"Figure 5"

The American artist Jasper Johns painted this update of Demuth's work.

Self-Portrait

Williams painted this self-portrait in 1914.

Photo

And here's what Williams really looked like.

Books

The Autobiography of William Carlos Williams by William Carlos Williams

The poet tells the story of his fascinating life as a doctor and writer. He also describes the day he wrote "The Great Figure."

Collected Poems Vol. 1 by William Carlos Williams

The first volume of Williams's collected poems includes his early modernist and Imagist works, including "The Great Figure" and "The Red Wheelbarrow."

A River of Words by Jen Bryant

A children's picture book about the life of William Carlos Williams. It even was named a Caldecott Honor book.