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Tell the Truth but tell it slant
The use of literary devices functions to convey or create the overall meaning of a poem. Moreover, the poetic literary elements are tools that explain, illuminate on the primary ideologies of the poem, or intensifies the mood or emotions. The spirit or feelings of the poem can be quickly intensified by using these language devices that mimic or repeat the literal meanings. Mostly, when these devices are used in moderation, they impact how the poem effectively reflects on the authors’ beliefs. In regard to this, in the poem, Tell all the Truth but tell it slant, Dickinson uses these elements to express her ideologies. Dickinson illuminates on the aspect of truth through the use of the literary devices she uses. According to this poem, you have to “tell all the truth” but to hold it back, to “tell it slant” so as not to dazzle the sensitive reader. These poetic devices present Dickinson’s agnosticism as she illustrates the truth to the reader without just saying it point-blank.
In this poem, there is a lot of use metaphors. As Dickinson uses this element, it highlights the aspect of telling the truth. The poem associates truth with light. Illustrating that this truth carries the potential of enlightenment. The poem addresses the aspect of truth as it says light is often “too bright” and seems as powerful appalling “lightning.” The comparison of these two elements describes how truth should be handled because sometimes it is too powerful. Moreover, lightning is indeed an image of the effect of truth, as is always astounding and overwhelming. The use of metaphors in the poem effectively illustrates the real nature of truth.
Another primary literary element that presents the message of the nature of truth is comparison. Comparison builds around the major theme of the poem excellently. The truth is associated with a robust blinding light that proposes the unbearable nature of truth. Dickson further illustrates that to “see” the light, it has to be exposed. The poem states that the light becomes “too bright for our infirm delight, endorsing a relationship between truth and light. Truth is implied to be dazzling in its revelation, the same as light. Also, the use of comparison describes hoe the revelation of truth should be gradual and “slant,” rather than the blatant revelation of truth, which could prove detrimental. Dickinson describes the astounding quality of truth as she states, “The truths superb surprise” is too overwhelming for people to handle.
Also, the use of partial rhymes that suggests the revelation of partial truth. The rhyme scheme used in the poem alternates. Dickinson makes use of both full and partial rhymes; however, the use of partial rhyme is more dominant. The use of slant rhyme, for instance, between “slant” and “delight” associates the two words in bringing out the meaning of the poem. The unusual rhyme is impossible to overlook as it elaborates on the theories of this poem. Also, the use of slant rhyme implies Dickinson’s belief in telling partial truths. The slant rhyme intimately connects the ideologies of truth as unpleasant and should be revealed in gradual revelations. Dickinson elaborates her concept of truth, and as overwhelming and powerful, therefore, it should be told in slant.
The literary techniques illustrated throughout the poem illuminate the context of truth. The poem describes the shocking quality of truth, according to Dickinson. She uses these elements to give the reader more insight and a sense of reality toward the nature of truth in reality. Dickinson highlights her interest in truth as the theme of truth is dominant in the poem. With the different literary elements, the poem “Tell the truth but tell it slant” clearly elaborates the context of truth to its readers, giving them advice on how to handle the truth.