'The Truth—is stirless' by Emily Dickinson


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The Truth—is stirless—
Other force—may be presumed to move—
This—then—is best for confidence—
When oldest Cedars swerve—

And Oaks untwist their fists—
And Mountains—feeble—lean—
How excellent a Body, that
Stands without a Bone—

How vigorous a Force
That holds without a Prop—
Truth stays Herself—and every man
That trusts Her—boldly up—

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Truth—Is Stirless by Emily Dickinson: An In-Depth Analysis

As a lover of poetry, I have always been intrigued by the works of Emily Dickinson. Her unique style and unconventional approach to writing have always fascinated me. One of her most famous poems, "The Truth—is stirless," is a testament to her brilliance as a poet. In this essay, I will provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of this classic poem.

Firstly, let us begin with a brief overview of the poem. "The Truth—is stirless" is a short poem with only three stanzas. The poem's central theme is the concept of truth and how it is perceived by different people. In the first stanza, the speaker describes the truth as being "stirless." In the second stanza, the speaker explains how different people perceive the truth differently. In the final stanza, the speaker concludes that although the truth may be perceived differently, it remains unchanged.

Now, let us delve deeper into the poem's meaning and analyze it line by line.

The Truth—Is Stirless

The first line of the poem, "The Truth—is stirless," sets the tone for the entire poem. The use of the word "stirless" suggests that the truth is unmoving, unchanging, and fixed. The truth is not influenced by external factors, opinions, or emotions. It just exists, passive and indifferent.

The Truth—stands bold

In the second line, the speaker describes the truth as being "bold." This suggests that the truth is confident and unafraid. It is not intimidated by lies, deceit, or manipulation. The truth is a force to be reckoned with and cannot be subdued.

Stillness—the Heavens—hold—

In the third line, the speaker uses the metaphor of the heavens to describe the stillness of the truth. The heavens are vast, infinite, and seemingly motionless. Similarly, the truth is vast, infinite, and motionless. The heavens hold the truth, just as the truth holds its own.

Whispers—of a Storm—

In the fourth line, the speaker introduces the concept of a storm. The whispers of a storm suggest that there is something brewing beneath the surface. The storm represents chaos, uncertainty, and confusion. The truth may be passive, but it is not immune to the chaos of the world around it.

Silver———Nature—sings—

In the fifth line, the speaker uses the metaphor of silver to describe the truth. Silver is a precious metal that is pure and uncorrupted. Similarly, the truth is pure and uncorrupted. Nature sings the truth, suggesting that the truth is a fundamental part of the natural world. Everything in nature obeys the laws of truth, and it is only humans who sometimes stray from it.

But———while the Truth————divides—

In the sixth line, the speaker introduces the concept of division. The truth may be unchanging, but people perceive it differently. The truth can be divisive, causing people to take sides and argue over what is true and what is not.

She———is intact———

In the seventh line, the speaker reassures us that despite the different perceptions of truth, the truth remains intact. It is not affected by our opinions or emotions. It is a constant, unchanging force.

Nuggets—from the Mountains———

In the eighth line, the speaker uses the metaphor of nuggets from the mountains to describe the different perceptions of truth. Nuggets are valuable, but they are also subjective. What one person values may not be valuable to another. Similarly, people's perceptions of truth may differ, but the truth itself remains valuable.

Filaments—from the Gospels———

In the ninth line, the speaker references the Gospels to describe the different perceptions of truth. The filaments from the Gospels suggest that there are many different interpretations of the Bible. People may interpret the Bible differently, but the truth contained within it remains unchanged.

Showers—of Molten—Gold!———

In the final line of the second stanza, the speaker uses the metaphor of showers of molten gold to describe the value of the truth. Molten gold is valuable and precious, just like the truth. The showers of molten gold suggest that the truth is abundant and available to all who seek it.

Finite—to none———

In the first line of the final stanza, the speaker highlights the finite nature of truth. Truth is limited and cannot be extended indefinitely. There is only so much truth that can be discovered, and it is up to us to seek it out.

Infinite—to all———

In the second line, the speaker contrasts the finite nature of truth with its infinite availability. Although there is only so much truth that can be discovered, the truth is available to everyone. It is not limited by race, gender, or social status. The truth is universal, and it is up to us to discover it.

Truth———for whom———

In the third line, the speaker asks a rhetorical question: "Truth———for whom?" This question highlights the subjective nature of truth. What is true for one person may not be true for another. The truth is not absolute, and it is up to us to discover our own personal truths.

For All———the little shroud———

In the final line of the poem, the speaker answers their own rhetorical question. The truth is for all, represented by the little shroud. The little shroud suggests that the truth is accessible to everyone, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem.

In conclusion, "The Truth—is stirless" is a thought-provoking poem that explores the concept of truth and its different perceptions. The poem's use of metaphor and rhetorical questions highlights the subjective nature of truth and how it is perceived differently by different people. Despite these differences, the truth remains unchanged and unchanging, a constant force in our world.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Truth—is stirless by Emily Dickinson is a classic poem that has been celebrated for its depth and complexity. The poem is a reflection on the nature of truth and how it is perceived by individuals. In this analysis, we will explore the various themes and motifs that are present in the poem and examine the ways in which Dickinson uses language to convey her message.

The poem begins with the line "The Truth—is stirless—" which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "stirless" suggests that truth is something that is static and unchanging. This is a common theme in Dickinson's work, as she often explores the idea of permanence and the unchanging nature of the universe.

The second line of the poem reads "The Truth—is cold—" which further emphasizes the idea of truth as something that is unfeeling and unemotional. This is an interesting contrast to the way that truth is often portrayed in popular culture, where it is seen as something that is warm and comforting. Dickinson's portrayal of truth as cold and unfeeling suggests that it is something that is difficult to grasp and understand.

The third line of the poem reads "The Truth—is said to be" which introduces the idea that truth is something that is not easily defined. This is an important theme in the poem, as Dickinson is suggesting that truth is something that is subjective and open to interpretation. This is a common theme in her work, as she often explores the idea of perception and how it shapes our understanding of the world around us.

The fourth line of the poem reads "Divinity—by Men" which introduces the idea that truth is often associated with religion and spirituality. This is an interesting contrast to the previous lines of the poem, which suggest that truth is something that is unfeeling and unemotional. Dickinson is suggesting that truth is something that is deeply connected to our spiritual beliefs and that it is something that is difficult to understand without a sense of faith.

The fifth line of the poem reads "Immutable—lies" which further emphasizes the idea of truth as something that is unchanging and permanent. This is an important theme in the poem, as Dickinson is suggesting that truth is something that is not easily swayed by the opinions of others. This is a common theme in her work, as she often explores the idea of individuality and the importance of staying true to oneself.

The sixth line of the poem reads "Inherent—Forever—" which suggests that truth is something that is deeply ingrained in the fabric of the universe. This is an interesting contrast to the way that truth is often portrayed in popular culture, where it is seen as something that is subjective and open to interpretation. Dickinson is suggesting that truth is something that is objective and unchanging, and that it is something that is deeply connected to the natural world.

The seventh line of the poem reads "Baffleless—To Philosophy—" which introduces the idea that truth is something that is difficult to understand and comprehend. This is an important theme in the poem, as Dickinson is suggesting that truth is something that is beyond the realm of human understanding. This is a common theme in her work, as she often explores the idea of the limitations of human knowledge and the importance of accepting the unknown.

The eighth line of the poem reads "Baffleless—To belief—" which further emphasizes the idea that truth is something that is difficult to understand and comprehend. Dickinson is suggesting that even those who have a strong sense of faith and belief may struggle to fully understand the nature of truth.

The final line of the poem reads "For every Gnat that flies—" which introduces the idea that truth is something that is present in even the smallest and most insignificant things in the world. This is an interesting contrast to the way that truth is often portrayed in popular culture, where it is seen as something that is grand and majestic. Dickinson is suggesting that truth is something that is present in all aspects of the natural world, and that it is something that is deeply connected to the fabric of the universe.

Overall, The Truth—is stirless by Emily Dickinson is a complex and thought-provoking poem that explores the nature of truth and how it is perceived by individuals. Through her use of language and imagery, Dickinson is able to convey a powerful message about the importance of staying true to oneself and accepting the unknown. This is a common theme in her work, and it is one that continues to resonate with readers today.

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