'Tell all the Truth but tell it slant' by Emily Dickinson
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Tell all the Truth but tell it slant-
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth's superb surpriseAs Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind-
Editor 1 Interpretation
Tell all the Truth but tell it slant: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Wow, I must say that "Tell all the Truth but tell it slant" is one of the most exciting and thought-provoking poems I have ever read. Emily Dickinson's use of words, imagery, and symbolism is simply mind-blowing. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will attempt to analyze and interpret this classic poem in its entirety.
Overview
"Tell all the Truth but tell it slant" is a four-stanza poem with each stanza consisting of two lines. The poem's central message is clear: truth should be told, but it should be told indirectly, gently, and with some degree of ambiguity.
Analysis
The poem begins with an imperative statement, "Tell all the Truth but tell it slant." The use of the word "slant" is significant because it suggests an indirect approach to telling the truth, one that is not straightforward. The poet is asking the reader to tell the truth, but not in a way that might be too overwhelming or hurtful.
The second line of the first stanza, "Success in Circuit lies," is equally intriguing. Here, Dickinson seems to be suggesting that success in communication lies in using a circuitous route rather than a straight one. This idea of circuitousness is repeated in the subsequent stanzas.
In the second stanza, Dickinson compares telling the truth directly to shining a bright light on someone's eyes. This metaphor is powerful because it suggests that the truth, when told directly, can be blinding and painful. The poet then suggests that the truth should be told "As Lightning to the Children eased." The use of the word "eased" suggests that the truth should be told in a way that is not too harsh or overwhelming. The metaphor of lightning also suggests that the truth can be both illuminating and terrifying, depending on how it is presented.
The third stanza is perhaps the most complex and intriguing. Here, Dickinson uses the metaphor of a bolt of lightning that strikes a landscape and reveals everything in its wake. The metaphor suggests that the truth, when told directly, can be too much to handle. Dickinson then suggests that the truth should be told "slant" because it is "too bright for our infirm Delight." The use of the phrase "infirm Delight" suggests that human beings are fragile and cannot handle the truth in its full intensity.
In the final stanza, the poet suggests that telling the truth indirectly is not deceitful or dishonest, but rather a way of respecting the listener's ability to handle the truth. The metaphor of the truth being revealed "by degrees" suggests that the truth is best revealed gradually, allowing the listener to adjust to it slowly.
Interpretation
"Tell all the Truth but tell it slant" is a poem that speaks to the human condition. It acknowledges the fact that human beings are fragile and cannot always handle the truth in its full intensity. However, it also suggests that the truth should be told, but in a way that is not too harsh or overwhelming.
The poem can be interpreted in different ways. One interpretation is that it is about the relationship between truth and art. Dickinson is suggesting that the truth is best revealed in a poem, a work of art, or a story because it allows the reader to engage with the truth indirectly. In this way, the reader can handle the truth without being overwhelmed by it.
Another interpretation is that the poem is about the importance of empathy and compassion. Dickinson is suggesting that we should always consider the listener's ability to handle the truth. We should be compassionate and empathetic when we communicate the truth, and we should always consider the impact that our words might have on others.
Conclusion
"Tell all the Truth but tell it slant" is a masterpiece of poetry. The poem's use of metaphor, imagery, and symbolism is simply extraordinary. It speaks to the human condition and acknowledges our fragility and vulnerability. It suggests that the truth should be told, but in a way that is not too harsh or overwhelming. It is a poem that will continue to resonate with readers for many years to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson’s poem “Tell all the Truth but tell it slant” is a masterpiece of poetic expression that has captivated readers for generations. The poem is a meditation on the nature of truth and the ways in which it can be communicated through language. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and techniques that Dickinson employs in this poem, and examine the ways in which it continues to resonate with readers today.
The poem begins with the command to “Tell all the Truth but tell it slant.” This opening line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that truth is something that cannot be communicated directly. Instead, Dickinson suggests that truth must be approached obliquely, through metaphor and suggestion. This idea is reinforced in the second line of the poem, which states that “Success in Circuit lies.” Here, Dickinson is suggesting that truth is something that must be approached indirectly, through a circuitous route that allows the reader to arrive at the truth gradually, rather than being confronted with it all at once.
The theme of indirect communication is further developed in the third and fourth lines of the poem, which state that “Too bright for our infirm Delight / The Truth’s superb surprise.” Here, Dickinson is suggesting that the truth is something that is too overwhelming for us to handle directly. Instead, we must approach it indirectly, through metaphor and suggestion, in order to be able to grasp its full meaning.
The theme of metaphor and suggestion is further developed in the fifth and sixth lines of the poem, which state that “As Lightning to the Children eased / With explanation kind.” Here, Dickinson is suggesting that the truth is something that is too powerful for us to handle directly. Instead, we must approach it indirectly, through metaphor and suggestion, in order to be able to grasp its full meaning.
The theme of metaphor and suggestion is further developed in the seventh and eighth lines of the poem, which state that “The Truth must dazzle gradually / Or every man be blind.” Here, Dickinson is suggesting that the truth is something that must be approached gradually, in order to be able to grasp its full meaning. If we were to be confronted with the truth all at once, we would be overwhelmed by its power and unable to comprehend its full significance.
The theme of metaphor and suggestion is further developed in the ninth and tenth lines of the poem, which state that “For love of Her — Sweet — countrymen / Judge tenderly — of Me.” Here, Dickinson is suggesting that the truth is something that must be approached with love and tenderness, in order to be able to grasp its full meaning. If we were to approach the truth with harshness and judgment, we would be unable to see its full beauty and significance.
The theme of metaphor and suggestion is further developed in the eleventh and twelfth lines of the poem, which state that “The Narrow fellow in the Grass / Occasionally rides.” Here, Dickinson is using a metaphor to suggest that the truth is something that is elusive and difficult to grasp. The “Narrow fellow” is a reference to a snake, which is a symbol of deception and cunning. By suggesting that the truth is like a snake, Dickinson is suggesting that it is something that is difficult to pin down and understand.
The theme of metaphor and suggestion is further developed in the thirteenth and fourteenth lines of the poem, which state that “You may have met Him — did you not / His notice sudden is.” Here, Dickinson is suggesting that the truth is something that can be encountered unexpectedly, and that it is something that can be difficult to recognize when it does appear. By using the pronoun “Him” to refer to the truth, Dickinson is suggesting that it is something that has a personal quality, and that it is something that can be encountered in a variety of different contexts.
The theme of metaphor and suggestion is further developed in the fifteenth and sixteenth lines of the poem, which state that “The Grass divides as with a Comb / A spotted Shaft is seen.” Here, Dickinson is using a metaphor to suggest that the truth is something that can be revealed gradually, through a process of discovery and exploration. The “spotted Shaft” is a reference to a snake’s tongue, which is a symbol of deception and cunning. By suggesting that the truth is like a snake’s tongue, Dickinson is suggesting that it is something that can be revealed gradually, through a process of discovery and exploration.
The theme of metaphor and suggestion is further developed in the seventeenth and eighteenth lines of the poem, which state that “Of Frosts — the Centuries of Snow / The Mystery — retires.” Here, Dickinson is using a metaphor to suggest that the truth is something that is hidden and mysterious, and that it is something that can only be revealed through a process of exploration and discovery. The “Frosts” and “Centuries of Snow” are references to the passage of time, and they suggest that the truth is something that is hidden and difficult to uncover.
The theme of metaphor and suggestion is further developed in the nineteenth and twentieth lines of the poem, which state that “And when they all were seated / A Service — like a Drum.” Here, Dickinson is using a metaphor to suggest that the truth is something that can be revealed through a process of exploration and discovery. The “Service” is a reference to a religious ceremony, and it suggests that the truth is something that can be revealed through a process of spiritual exploration and discovery.
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson’s poem “Tell all the Truth but tell it slant” is a masterpiece of poetic expression that explores the themes of truth, metaphor, and suggestion. Through her use of metaphor and suggestion, Dickinson suggests that truth is something that cannot be communicated directly, but must be approached indirectly, through a circuitous route that allows the reader to arrive at the truth gradually. By exploring these themes, Dickinson has created a poem that continues to resonate with readers today, and that remains a powerful meditation on the nature of truth and the ways in which it can be communicated through language.
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