I will be responding/commenting specifically on Emily Dickinson's
1263 [1129]
Tell all the truth but tell it slant
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth's superb surprise
As lighting to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind
This poem caught my attention the most out of everything we were asked to read for class. I found the subject in general, truth, to be very interesting. Some things I noticed or struck me as "different" were the words throughout the poem that are capitalized, the rhyming lines, and Dickinson's use of imagery.
The words that are capitalized (Success, Circuit, Delight, Truth, and Children) almost seem like subjects within the poem, because of the emphasis put on them. Which makes me wonder if Dickinson wants us to relate these subjects to truth, or if they are just used as examples of moments that involve truth. (?)
Mostly, I find I can relate to this poem within the context of education. There are so many instances when students are confronted with truth. One example I could think of was plagiarism. While proof-reading a paper for a friend once, I discovered her paper was almost entirely copied from a book in which we had both read. I was then faced with the decision of whether or not to confront her or even possibly the teacher. I identify with the line "tell all the truth but tell it slant." How do we decide what is our truth to tell?
Mostly, I find I can relate to this poem within the context of education. There are so many instances when students are confronted with truth. One example I could think of was plagiarism. While proof-reading a paper for a friend once, I discovered her paper was almost entirely copied from a book in which we had both read. I was then faced with the decision of whether or not to confront her or even possibly the teacher. I identify with the line "tell all the truth but tell it slant." How do we decide what is our truth to tell?
