Emily Dickinson's Poem 'Tell All The Truth But Tell It Slant'

In Emily Dickinson’s poem “Tell All the Truth but Tell it Slant,” the poet proclaims that individuals should tell the truth, but tell it a little bit at a time otherwise the person receiving the information will be overwhelmed. She opens the poem stating to tell the truth but not the whole truth, and that “success in circuit lies,” (line 2) which the reader can infer that she is saying that success is earned through repetitive lies. The speaker also states that receiving the whole truth can be too much for that individual to bare, so “the truth must dazzle gradually,” (line 7) which means that it should be told in a way that the individual can understand. The poet then finishes the poem stating “or every man be blind,” (line 8) which means that if the truth is told directly and all at once it could cause us to avoid confronting it. By analyzing the major simile in the poem the reader can come to comprehend main theme discussed throughout the entire piece.
In the 4th, 5th, and 6th line of this poem the poet portrays a major simile stating “the truth’s superb surprise, as lightening to the children eased with explanation kind.” In the first part of the simile saying “the truths superb

surprise,” (line 4) the reader can infer she is saying that discovering the truth can be too much for one individual’s comprehension. She then states “as lighting to the children eased, with explanation kind” (line 5-6) which is giving the reader an example of what the poet is trying to illustrate. A child that is frightened by lightening will cause the parents to attempt to ease the child’s mind; however no matter what the child will continue to be frightened. Just like when we receive the truth is must be eased and done kindly otherwise we won’t be able to accept it.
By analyzing this poem a reader can begin to infer what this poet has to say about how other poems convey meaning.

The main point of an individual reading a poem is to be able to identify whatever that particular poems subject is. A reader can infer that Emily Dickinson is saying that a poet knows the truth, but decides to hold it back to ensure that they do not surprise the reader. When she discusses “success in circuit lies,” (line 2) she is simply stating the poets may continue circling around the truth in order to guide the reader to it. A poet will attempt to guide their reader to the truth by using literary devices such as allusions, metaphors, similes, and imagery. It is clearer now that poets will attempt to tell the truth to the reader yet do it in an indirect

way.