So the poet, who wants to be something that he cannot be, and is a failure in plain life, makes up fictitious versions of his predicament that are interesting even to other persons because nobody is a perfect automobile salesman.

The quote by Allen Tate explores the complex nature of the poet’s identity and their place in the world. It suggests that the poet desires to be something beyond ordinary existence, something they fundamentally cannot become. This longing creates a tension between the poet’s real-life limitations and their imaginative ambitions. In this sense, the poet is seen as a figure of failure in “plain life”, unable to succeed in conventional terms or roles.

To cope with this, the poet creates fictitious versions of their predicament—stories or personas that transform their struggles into something meaningful and engaging. These imagined narratives serve as a way to make their personal failures relatable and even compelling to others. Tate highlights that this process is not unique to poets alone; the universality lies in the fact that no one is perfect at everyday roles, like being an automobile salesman, symbolizing the common human experience of imperfection.

The quote also implies that the poet’s work is valuable precisely because it addresses this imperfection in a creative way. By crafting these fictitious selves or scenarios, the poet invites readers to reflect on their own flaws and aspirations. It’s a reminder that art and poetry often emerge from a place of personal dissatisfaction and longing, which resonates with a broader audience because everyone struggles with their own limitations.

In summary, Tate’s words reveal a deep understanding of the poet’s inner conflict: the desire to transcend ordinary failure through imaginative creation. The quote underscores how poetry becomes a means to transform personal shortcomings into stories that have universal appeal, connecting the poet’s inner world with the experiences of others.