JE53 Slanted Truth

Tell all the Truth but tell it slant---
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth's superb surprise
As Lightening to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind---

            In Emily Dickinson’s poem, “Tell all the truth but tell it slant”, To me, to tell all the truth but tell it slant is to avoid some significant details that might offend other people or provide evidence. To tell the truth partially is similar to lying. The only difference is that telling the truth slant does not involve in making up any story while lying does. Telling the truth slant is to omit some crucial details of the whole story. Emily Dickinson was describing about the human nature of trying to tell the truth but want to hide their crimes at the same time.

            In the poem, it mentioned about children being frightened by lightening. To tell the truth, we must explain to the children of such phenomena. However, sometimes we need to consider our circumstances to tell the truth. If the truth could deeply hurt other people, then we might want to hide it. Conversely, if the truth is harmful for the group or society, then we might want to disclose the details and try to solve the problem. Or else all these “dazzles” will gradually lead us to blindness. Emily Dickinson told us that sometimes we need to consider the situation to tell the truth.