Download Poetic Explication: Understanding the Slant of Truth in Emily Dickinson's Poem and more Schemes and Mind Maps Poetry in PDF only on Docsity! Tell all the truth but tell it slant – In essence, to explicate is to carefully explain via analysis. Poetic explication is the careful “unpacking” of each line. As you “unpack” the line, the process aims to convey interpretation. You’re looking for the meaning. There may be multiple meanings—in strong poetry, this is often the case. In conjunction to meaning, you also want to note mechanical features. Notice the beginning of the sentence is a command or imperative … for instance: You-‐need-‐to-‐do-‐this. Re: the poem: you must tell all the truth … Common in poetry, a juxtaposition swiftly follows: BUT tell it slant … “But” is a coordinating conjunction denoting opposition or a contrary position. While the narrator begins with a clear and simple enough command, he/she counters with … “BUT tell is slant.” What does “slant” mean? In basic semiotics, “slant” would tend to be a negative. “Slant” is in direct opposition to “straight” or clear; yet, isn’t that what the truth typically connotes? At first glance, this is a puzzling line as modern readers would tend to associate “circuit” with electrical circuit. However, the word itself (a noun) roughly means the act of taking a roundabout pathway—sort of like tracing the outside edge. According to the narrator, it is in “circuit” where one can achieve ‘telling the truth slant.’ Note also the inverted syntax—a grammarian would huff and declare: “the sentence would best read as ‘success lies in circuit.’” This is where Dickinson’s poetry excels: her syntax choice mirrors the meaning. Consider the multiple meanings of “lies,” especially in a poem about the “truth.” The “truth” is “too bright.” Note that “bright” tends to connote something positive; if something is “too bright,” what would that mean? Note the use of the collective personal pronoun: “our.” The narrator began with a command; the “our” indicates inclusion. “Infirm”—negative word—is associated with illness, weakness, fragility. Yet, this is tied to “delight.” “Delight,” meanwhile, connotes positivity—something wonderful and/or pleasurable. Here it is juxtaposed with “infirm.” What could the narrator be suggesting? “Explanation” is a hefty word—in meaning and textually on the page. Luckily, the narrator tells us all of the above—all this heaviness or confusion, truth, slanted truth, etc.—should be delivered with kindness. Again, we see the juxtaposition of two words at odds with each other— “explanation” (heavy, irksome) to “kind” (simple, sweet). Above all, our narrator threads in the more positive connotations about a tough or heavy subject. Finally, we have what appears to be an entirely positive line … almost … we also have stunning imagery where abstract “truth” will “dazzle.” The inference one may make is that the truth is inherently something good. Yet, it’s enormous, huge, hefty, complicated, frightening; all at the same time, it is also grand, enormous (yes, I repeated it), wonderfully bright … hence, our adverb: “gradually.” “Gradually” serves as the modifier—the how one should approach the capital T—Truth. The narrator ends with two outcomes / paths: “dazzle gradually” OR Everyone is “blind” A word (or several) on blindness—where to start? Literature LOVES blindness; think of the symbolic meanings to apply to such a state. You will see “blindness” several times throughout the semester. One should also consider that “truth” is compared to brightness and then lightening—i.e. “truth” is symbolized as a bright flashing light … and, if it isn’t flashing, it’s too bright to handle.
