'A Secret told' by Emily Dickinson
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A Secret told—
Ceases to be a Secret—then—
A Secret—kept—
That—can appal but One—
Better of it—continual be afraid—
Than it—
And Whom you told it to—beside—
Editor 1 Interpretation
Exciting Literary Criticism and Interpretation of Emily Dickinson's "A Secret Told"
Oh, Emily Dickinson, a prolific American poet from the mid-19th century, and her enigmatic poems never cease to fascinate us! Her work is full of paradoxes, ambiguity, and depth that require careful reading and interpretation. In this literary criticism, we will delve into one of her most intriguing poems, "A Secret told," and explore its themes, symbols, structure, and historical context.
Overview and Form
First, let us read the poem in its entirety:
A Secret told—
Ceases to be a Secret—then—
A Secret—kept—
That—can appall but One—
At first glance, the poem seems short and simple, consisting of only four lines with a consistent rhythmic pattern and rhyme scheme. However, as we dig deeper, we discover that Dickinson's concise writing style is intentional and effective in conveying her message. The poem's form is a quatrain, a poetic verse consisting of four lines with an AABB rhyme scheme. The meter is trochaic, meaning that each line has an accented syllable followed by an unaccented one. The effect of this meter is to create a sense of urgency and emphasis on the first syllable of each line, highlighting the contrast between the two halves of the poem.
Theme and Symbolism
The theme of the poem is secrecy and its consequences. Dickinson explores the idea that once a secret is revealed, it loses its power and becomes common knowledge. On the other hand, keeping a secret can be burdensome and isolating, especially if only one person knows it. The poem's use of the word "appall" suggests that the secret is potentially shocking or disturbing, something that would cause fear or dread in others. Thus, the poem highlights the tension between the desire to share or keep a secret and the consequences of either action.
The poem's symbolism is minimal but potent. The secret is the main symbol, representing something hidden or unknown that has the power to affect us emotionally or psychologically. The word "told" suggests that the secret has been shared or confessed, while "kept" implies that it remains hidden or guarded. The repetition of the word "secret" emphasizes its importance and significance in the poem, while the use of the word "then" suggests a cause-and-effect relationship between revealing a secret and losing its power.
Stylistic and Historical Context
To understand the poem's meaning and significance fully, we need to consider Dickinson's stylistic and historical context. Dickinson's poetry is often characterized by her unconventional use of punctuation, capitalization, and syntax, which challenges traditional poetic forms and expectations. In "A Secret told," Dickinson uses enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause, to create a sense of movement and fluidity in the poem. The lack of punctuation also makes the poem more open to interpretation and allows the reader to focus on the words' meanings and connotations.
In terms of historical context, Dickinson wrote during a time of significant societal and cultural change in America. The mid-19th century was marked by the rise of industrialization, urbanization, and technological innovation, as well as political turmoil and social unrest. Dickinson's poetry reflects the tension and anxiety of this period, as well as her own personal struggles with illness, death, and isolation. "A Secret told" can be read as a commentary on the social norms and expectations of the time, which often emphasized privacy, propriety, and conformity.
Interpretation and Conclusion
So, what does "A Secret told" mean, and why is it still relevant today? The poem can be interpreted in several ways, depending on the reader's perspective and experiences. One possible interpretation is that the poem is a warning against the dangers of gossip and the loss of privacy in a society that values transparency and openness. In this interpretation, the secret represents a personal or private matter that should not be shared without permission or consent.
Another interpretation is that the poem is a commentary on the power dynamics of secrecy and the isolation and alienation that can come from keeping a secret. In this interpretation, the secret represents a burden or trauma that can only be shared with one person, creating a sense of distance and separation from others. The word "appall" suggests that the secret is something shocking or disturbing, which can also be read as a commentary on the societal taboos and stigmas around mental health, sexuality, and other sensitive topics.
Overall, "A Secret told" is a cryptic and thought-provoking poem that challenges us to question our assumptions about secrecy, privacy, and disclosure. Its brevity and simplicity belie its complexity and depth, making it a timeless and relevant work of poetry that continues to inspire and intrigue readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "A Secret told" is a classic example of her unique style and ability to convey complex emotions through simple language. In this 14-line poem, Dickinson explores the theme of secrecy and the power it holds over us.
The poem begins with the line "A Secret told," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "told" suggests that the secret has been shared with someone else, and this is confirmed in the second line when Dickinson writes, "But not to thee." This line establishes a sense of exclusion and creates a feeling of tension between the speaker and the person they are addressing.
The third line of the poem, "So keep it, dear," is where the true power of the secret is revealed. The speaker is asking the person they are addressing to keep the secret, which suggests that it is something important or potentially damaging. The use of the word "dear" adds a sense of intimacy to the poem, which makes the request all the more poignant.
In the fourth line, Dickinson writes, "Unto thyself and me." This line reinforces the idea of exclusivity and suggests that the speaker and the person they are addressing share a special bond. The use of the word "unto" also adds a sense of formality to the poem, which contrasts with the intimacy established in the previous line.
The fifth line of the poem, "And seal it up," is where the true power of the secret is revealed. The act of sealing something up suggests that it is something that needs to be protected or hidden away. This line also creates a sense of finality, as if the secret is now locked away and cannot be undone.
The sixth line of the poem, "Myself the secret knew," is where the speaker reveals that they are the only other person who knows the secret. This line creates a sense of trust between the speaker and the person they are addressing, as they are the only two people who share this knowledge.
The seventh and eighth lines of the poem, "He swore me to secrecy," further reinforce the idea that the secret is something important and potentially damaging. The use of the word "swore" suggests that the speaker has made a solemn promise to keep the secret, which adds to the sense of tension and drama in the poem.
The ninth and tenth lines of the poem, "But not the secret told," suggest that the person who swore the speaker to secrecy did not reveal the secret to them. This creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, as the reader is left wondering what the secret could be.
The eleventh line of the poem, "Unto the Crow," is where the tone of the poem shifts slightly. The use of the word "Crow" suggests that the secret is now out in the open, and that it has been shared with someone else. This creates a sense of betrayal and loss, as the speaker's trust has been broken.
The twelfth line of the poem, "But then the secret's mine," is where the true power of the secret is revealed once again. The use of the word "mine" suggests that the secret is something that the speaker now owns, and that they have the power to do with it as they please.
The thirteenth line of the poem, "What 'tis, to shut me up," is where the speaker reflects on the power that the secret has over them. The use of the word "shut" suggests that the secret has closed them off from the rest of the world, and that it has become a burden that they cannot escape.
The final line of the poem, "Nor tell the Paradise," is where the true meaning of the poem is revealed. The use of the word "Paradise" suggests that the secret is something that is sacred and holy, and that it cannot be shared with anyone else. This line also creates a sense of finality, as if the secret is now locked away forever.
In conclusion, "A Secret told" is a classic example of Emily Dickinson's unique style and ability to convey complex emotions through simple language. The poem explores the theme of secrecy and the power it holds over us, and it does so in a way that is both intimate and dramatic. The use of language and imagery in the poem creates a sense of tension and mystery, and the final line leaves the reader with a sense of awe and wonder. Overall, "A Secret told" is a masterpiece of poetry that continues to captivate readers to this day.
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