|
Poet: Emily Dickinson (Emily Dickinson Art)
Poem: 1129.
Tell all the Truth but tell it slant --
Volume: Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson
Year: Published/Written in 1955
Poem of the Day:
Dec 17 2002
Comment 33 of 33, added on October 20th, 2009 at 4:45 PM.
hmm... im thinking whoever thinks this poem is about god is kinda dumb. just because she is a religous woman doesnt mean its gotta be about god. come on people not everything in life is about religion
Dustin
Comment 32 of 33, added on May 25th, 2009 at 11:35 AM.
In a simpler explanation, Dickinson is all about the use of words, and her ability to pick a simple word, and choose another resembling the same meaning. Her poetry can be interpreted easily, but her wording is what makes is so difficult. The first line "Tell all the Truth but tell it slant"- her punctuation and capitalization is still unknown, we do not necessarily know the reasoning for all of her punctuation, but we should believe that the topic of the poem is about truth, when telling the truth, it is always easier to fluff if a little, if it is harmful to someone, instead of telling it "straight" on- Dickinson says to "tell it slant", perhaps meaning that the truth is easier to handle if not all told at once. "Success in Circuit lies"- it is easier to slowly tell the truth and take extra time or "laps" in a circuit to tell the truth, slow and steady wins the race, and by slowing circling around the truth, it will be easier to overcome. "Too bright for our inform Delight"- the truth can be too much to handle, or "too bright", depending on the harshness or happiness that comes from it, our "inform Delight" (ego) can only handle so much. "The Truth's superb surprise"- some may be suprised if told at once, and this leads into the next line "As Lightening to the Children eased"- as children, it is harder to understand teh reality of life, and the truth behind circumstances. Children tend to have a harder time understanding the truth, and it is more shocking (relating to lightning) for children when they uncover the truth behind something. But "With explanation kind"- explanation for children can help ease children into understand why something is the way it is, and that the truth is not always an easy thing to handle. "The Truth must dazzle gradually"- it is easier for the truth to be gradually told, if it dazzles all at once, it can be too much to handle- a gradual introduction to the truth will help people to understand the meaning behind it. "Or every man be blind"- if it the truth is told straight on, with no "slant"- the "dazzling" meaning behind it may blind or crush someone, accepting the truth completely can harm people and cause alot of pain if bluntly revealed.
Hope this helps!
Elizabeth from United States
Comment 31 of 33, added on May 25th, 2009 at 11:13 AM.
In a simpler explanation, Dickinson is all about the use of words, and her ability to pick a simple word, and choose another resembling the same meaning. Her poetry can be interpreted easily, but her wording is what makes is so difficult. The first line "Tell all the Truth but tell it slant"- her punctuation and capitalization is still unknown, we do not necessarily know the reasoning for all of her punctuation, but we should believe that the topic of the poem is about truth, when telling the truth, it is always easier to fluff if a little, if it is harmful to someone, instead of telling it "straight" on- Dickinson says to "tell it slant", perhaps meaning that the truth is easier to handle if not all told at once. "Success in Circuit lies"- it is easier to slowly tell the truth and take extra time or "laps" in a circuit to tell the truth, slow and steady wins the race, and by slowing circling around the truth, it will be easier to overcome. "Too bright for our inform Delight"- the truth can be too much to handle, or "too bright", depending on the harshness or happiness that comes from it, our "inform Delight" (ego) can only handle so much. "The Truth's superb surprise"- some may be suprised if told at once, and this leads into the next line "As Lightening to the Children eased"- as children, it is harder to understand teh reality of life, and the truth behind circumstances. Children tend to have a harder time understanding the truth, and it is more shocking (relating to lightning) for children when they uncover the truth behind something. But "With explanation kind"- explanation for children can help ease children into understand why something is the way it is, and that the truth is not always an easy thing to handle. "The Truth must dazzle gradually"- it is easier for the truth to be gradually told, if it dazzles all at once, it can be too much to handle- a gradual introduction to the truth will help people to understand the meaning behind it. "Or every man be blind"- if it the truth is told straight on, with no "slant"- the "dazzling" meaning behind it may blind or crush someone, accepting the truth completely can harm people and cause alot of pain if bluntly revealed.
Hope this helps!
Elizabeth Gollin from United States
Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Tell all the Truth but tell it slant --, has received 33 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Emily Dickinson with others on the American Poems poetry forum!
|
Comments
hmm... im thinking whoever thinks this poem is about god is kinda dumb. just because she is a religous woman doesnt mean its gotta be about god. come on people not everything in life is about religion
Dustin