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'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 surprise

As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind—

Edited by Peter Carter

Editor 1 Interpretation

Tell all the Truth but tell it slant by Emily Dickinson

I am thrilled to write a literary criticism and interpretation of one of the most famous poems written by Emily Dickinson, "Tell all the Truth but tell it slant." The poem was first published in 1890, after the death of the poet herself. The poem is a perfect example of Dickinson's unique writing style, which is characterized by her use of slant rhyme, unconventional punctuation, and capitalization.

Interpretation

The poem "Tell all the Truth but tell it slant" is a profound piece that explores the nature of truth and its effects on people. The first line of the poem, "Tell all the Truth but tell it slant," sets the tone for the entire poem. The poem suggests that truth should be approached with caution and delicacy, as it can be too powerful for some people to handle.

In the second stanza, Dickinson provides an example of the dangers of truth-telling. She describes how the "dazzling" truth can blind a person who is not prepared to receive it. The poem suggests that the truth can be overwhelming and even traumatic, especially for someone who is not expecting it. This idea is reinforced in the third stanza, where Dickinson writes:

"The Truth must dazzle gradually Or every man be blind"

Here, Dickinson argues that truth should be presented gradually, so that people can adjust to it and become accustomed to its effects. If the truth is presented all at once, it can have a negative impact and cause people to become disoriented or even blind to the truth.

The fourth stanza of the poem is particularly interesting, as Dickinson shifts her focus from the dangers of truth-telling to the benefits of telling the truth "slant." She writes:

"To tell the Truth but tell it slant— The Truth's superb surprise As Lightning to the Children eased With explanation kind The Truth must dazzle gradually Or every man be blind."

Here, Dickinson suggests that telling the truth "slant" (i.e., indirectly or obliquely) can be a more effective way of conveying the truth than a direct approach. She compares the effect of telling the truth "slant" to "Lightning to the Children eased / With explanation kind." This metaphor suggests that the truth can be too powerful and frightening for people to handle, and that it must be presented in a way that is both kind and gentle.

The final stanza of the poem reinforces this idea, as Dickinson suggests that truth-telling can be a transformative experience. She writes:

"As Lightning to the Children shown With explanation kind Is Truth's superb surprise As Lightning to the Children eased With explanation kind"

Here, Dickinson implies that the truth can be a revelation that transforms people's lives in powerful and unexpected ways. However, she suggests that this transformation can only occur if the truth is presented in a way that is both gentle and gradual.

Literary Criticism

One of the most notable aspects of "Tell all the Truth but tell it slant" is Dickinson's use of slant rhyme. Throughout the poem, she uses words that almost rhyme, such as "slant" and "dazzle," "gradually" and "blind," and "surprise" and "eased." This technique gives the poem a musical quality and emphasizes the idea of presenting the truth in a way that is indirect and oblique.

Another notable aspect of Dickinson's writing style is her use of unconventional punctuation and capitalization. Throughout the poem, she capitalizes words that are not typically capitalized, such as "Truth" and "Lightning." She also uses dashes to create pauses and breaks in the poem, which give the reader time to reflect on the meaning of the words.

The poem is also notable for its use of metaphor and imagery. Dickinson uses the metaphor of lightning to describe the effect of truth-telling, comparing it to "Lightning to the Children eased / With explanation kind." This metaphor emphasizes the idea that truth can be too powerful for some people to handle, and that it must be presented in a way that is both gentle and gradual.

Finally, the poem is notable for its exploration of the nature of truth and its effects on people. Dickinson suggests that truth can be both dangerous and transformative, and that it must be approached with caution and delicacy. She argues that telling the truth "slant" (i.e., indirectly or obliquely) can be a more effective way of conveying the truth than a direct approach, and that it can lead to a more transformative experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Tell all the Truth but tell it slant" is a profound and thought-provoking poem that explores the nature of truth and its effects on people. Through her use of slant rhyme, unconventional punctuation and capitalization, and metaphor and imagery, Emily Dickinson creates a poem that is both musical and profound. The poem suggests that truth should be approached with caution and delicacy, and that telling the truth "slant" can be a more effective way of conveying the truth than a direct approach. Overall, "Tell all the Truth but tell it slant" is a masterpiece of American literature that continues to inspire and challenge readers to this day.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Tell all the Truth but tell it slant is a classic poem written by Emily Dickinson. This poem is a masterpiece that has been analyzed and interpreted by many scholars and literary enthusiasts. In this article, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its meaning, themes, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the line "Tell all the Truth but tell it slant." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and introduces the central theme of the poem. The speaker is advising the reader to tell the truth, but to do so in a way that is indirect and subtle. The speaker believes that the truth is too powerful to be told directly and that it must be approached with caution.

The second line of the poem reads, "Success in Circuit lies." This line suggests that the truth must be approached in a circular manner, rather than a direct one. The speaker believes that the truth is like a circuit that must be navigated carefully in order to be fully understood. This line also suggests that the truth is not a straight line, but rather a complex and winding path.

The third line of the poem reads, "Too bright for our infirm Delight." This line suggests that the truth is too powerful for us to handle. The speaker believes that the truth is like a bright light that can blind us if we look at it directly. The truth is too overwhelming for us to handle, and we must approach it with caution.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "The Truth's superb surprise." This line suggests that the truth is a surprise that is both wonderful and terrifying. The speaker believes that the truth is like a gift that is both beautiful and dangerous. The truth is something that we must approach with caution, but it is also something that can bring us great joy.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "As Lightning to the Children eased." This line suggests that the truth is like lightning that is both frightening and fascinating. The speaker believes that the truth is like a natural phenomenon that is both beautiful and dangerous. The truth is something that we must approach with caution, but it is also something that can bring us great wonder.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "With explanation kind." This line suggests that the truth must be explained in a kind and gentle manner. The speaker believes that the truth is something that must be approached with care and compassion. The truth is something that can be difficult to understand, and it must be explained in a way that is both clear and kind.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "The Truth must dazzle gradually." This line suggests that the truth must be approached slowly and carefully. The speaker believes that the truth is something that must be approached with caution and patience. The truth is something that can be overwhelming, and it must be approached in a way that is both gradual and careful.

The eighth and final line of the poem reads, "Or every man be blind." This line suggests that if the truth is approached too quickly or too directly, it can blind us. The speaker believes that the truth is something that must be approached with caution and care. If we approach the truth too quickly or too directly, we risk being blinded by its power.

In conclusion, Tell all the Truth but tell it slant is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the theme of truth and its power. The speaker believes that the truth is something that must be approached with caution and care. The truth is something that can be overwhelming, and it must be approached in a way that is both gradual and careful. The poem is filled with literary devices such as metaphor, simile, and personification, which add depth and complexity to the poem. Overall, this poem is a testament to Emily Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to explore complex themes in a simple and elegant manner.

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