'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
A Secret told: A Masterful Poem by Emily Dickinson
Have you ever read a poem that just stays with you for days, weeks, maybe even years? One that seems to contain multitudes within its concise lines? For me, that poem is "A Secret told" by Emily Dickinson. Though it is only six lines long, it is an exquisite example of her poetic genius. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, form, and language of this masterful poem.
Themes
One of the most striking aspects of "A Secret told" is its ambiguity. It is difficult to say with certainty what the poem is about, but this is what makes it so powerful. There are several themes that emerge from the poem, the most prominent of which is secrecy. The title itself suggests that something hidden or private is being revealed, and the first line confirms this: "A Secret told."
But what is the secret? The poem does not say, and this is where the reader must fill in the gaps. It could be a personal secret, something intimate that the speaker has shared with a trusted confidante. Or it could be a more universal secret, such as a truth about human nature or the world we live in.
Another theme that emerges is the idea of trust. The speaker has entrusted someone with a secret, and there is a sense of intimacy and closeness implied by this act. But there is also an element of risk involved in sharing a secret - the possibility of betrayal or loss of trust. This tension between vulnerability and trust is something that many readers can relate to.
Form
Though the poem is only six lines long, it is a perfect example of Dickinson's skillful use of form. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, meaning that each line contains four iambs (a metrical foot consisting of one unstressed syllable followed by one stressed syllable). This gives the poem a steady, rhythmic quality that is pleasing to the ear.
The poem also follows Dickinson's characteristic use of dashes and capitalization. The dashes create pauses and breaks in the lines, emphasizing certain words and phrases. For example, in the third line, the dash after "Whispering" draws attention to that word and adds a sense of secrecy to the poem. The capitalization of "Secret" in the title and the first line also adds weight to the word and signals its importance.
Language
One of the most impressive things about "A Secret told" is how much meaning Dickinson packs into just six lines. Her use of language is precise and evocative, creating a vivid and tangible image in the reader's mind. For example, the phrase "Whispering from behind the door" is both auditory and visual, conjuring up the image of someone leaning in close to share a secret.
The use of the word "trembling" in the fourth line is also significant. It suggests a nervousness or fear on the part of the speaker, highlighting the risk involved in revealing a secret. The word "breathless" in the fifth line adds to this sense of tension and anticipation, as if the speaker is waiting anxiously for the listener's response.
Finally, the last line of the poem is both enigmatic and powerful: "Ne'er say the secret told." The use of the archaic "ne'er" adds a sense of timelessness and universality to the poem, as if it applies to all secrets and all times. The phrase "secret told" is also significant, as it suggests a sense of finality - once a secret is shared, it can never be unshared. By instructing the listener to "ne'er say" the secret, the speaker is emphasizing the importance of trust and confidentiality.
Conclusion
"A Secret told" may only be six lines long, but it is a masterful example of Emily Dickinson's poetic genius. Through its ambiguity, precise language, and skillful use of form, the poem explores themes of secrecy, trust, and vulnerability in a way that is both timeless and universal. It is a poem that stays with the reader long after the last line has been read, inviting us to ponder its mysteries and deeper meanings.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has always been a medium of expression for the human soul. It is a form of art that transcends time and space, and Emily Dickinson's "A Secret told" is a perfect example of this. This poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of human emotions and the power of secrets.
The poem begins with the line "A Secret told", which immediately captures the reader's attention. It is a simple yet powerful statement that sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "secret" is a loaded term that carries with it a sense of mystery and intrigue. It is something that is hidden, something that is not meant to be shared with others. The fact that it is being "told" implies that it is being shared with someone, which adds another layer of complexity to the poem.
The second line of the poem reads, "Ceases to be a Secret then". This line is a commentary on the nature of secrets. Once a secret is shared with someone, it is no longer a secret. It loses its power and its ability to control the person who holds it. This line is a reminder that secrets are not meant to be shared, and that once they are, they lose their significance.
The third line of the poem reads, "Ah, SWEET, but tell me why". This line is a plea for understanding. The speaker is asking why secrets are so sweet. Why do we feel the need to keep them hidden? Why do they hold so much power over us? This line is a reflection of the human condition. We are all drawn to secrets, and we all have secrets that we keep hidden from others.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "Not that the Wonder ceased". This line is a reminder that even though a secret loses its power once it is shared, the wonder and mystery surrounding it still remains. The fact that the secret was once hidden adds to its allure and makes it even more intriguing.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "But that the Wonder shifted". This line is a commentary on the nature of secrets. Once a secret is shared, the focus shifts from the secret itself to the person who shared it. The wonder and mystery surrounding the secret is replaced by the wonder and mystery surrounding the person who shared it. This line is a reminder that secrets are not just about the information that is being shared, but also about the people who hold them.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "Wonder's first surmise". This line is a reference to the initial feeling of wonder that comes with discovering a secret. It is the first impression that the secret makes on the person who discovers it. This line is a reminder that secrets are not just about the information that is being shared, but also about the emotions and feelings that come with discovering them.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "Inever told me your Secret". This line is a reflection of the speaker's own experience with secrets. It is a reminder that even though we are drawn to secrets, we do not always share our own. The fact that the speaker has not been told the secret adds to the mystery and intrigue surrounding it.
The eighth and final line of the poem reads, "You taught me – Told me –". This line is a reflection of the power that secrets hold over us. The fact that the speaker has been taught and told about the secret implies that it has had a significant impact on their life. It is a reminder that secrets are not just about the information that is being shared, but also about the people who hold them.
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's "A Secret told" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of human emotions and the power of secrets. It is a reminder that secrets are not just about the information that is being shared, but also about the people who hold them. The poem is a reflection of the human condition and the complex emotions that we all experience. It is a testament to the power of poetry and its ability to capture the essence of the human soul.
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