Understanding the Path of Truth's Gentle Arc
Tell all the truth but tell it slant —
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth's superb surprise
As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind
Emily Dickinson
In this poem by Emily Dickinson, the poet examines the topic of expressing the truth subtly rather than directly. The poet contends that it might be more effective and well-received to communicate the truth in an indirect way, or with a "slant," rather than outright. This strategy is thought to be a means of making the facts more appealing to people's emotions and comprehension.
The poem also touches on the idea of "Success in Circuit," which suggests that the truth can have the desired effect even if it takes a detour rather than a direct one. This can entail expressing the truth in a way that appeals to the mind and imagination of the audience by use of metaphor, analogy, or other literary strategies.
The phrase "Too bright for our infirm Delight" draws attention to the possibility that the unadulterated truth can be too strong or overwhelming for our sensitive sensitivities. When the whole truth conflicts with preconceived notions or pushes one outside of their comfort zone, it may be difficult to accept or comprehend.
In the poem "The Truth's Superb Surprise," the lines "The Truth's superb surprise / As Lightning to the Children eased / With explanation kind" compare telling the truth to explaining lightning to young children. Just as gently explaining the nature and origin of lightning helps infants comprehend and accept it, presenting the truth in a slow and compassionate manner helps adults understand and embrace it.
The poem's final lines, "The Truth must dazzle gradually / Or every man be blind," imply that exposing people to too much information at once can lead to a metaphorical blindness. The inability to understand or accept the truth when it is offered too abruptly is referred to as this blindness. The truth should instead be revealed gradually to give people time to adjust and understand it.
Overall, Emily Dickinson's poem promotes a nuanced and sympathetic approach to truth-telling, realizing that doing so can result in more favorable reception and comprehension.
