Who wrote the line 'Tell all the truth, but tell it slant'?

Who wrote the line 'Tell all the truth, but tell it slant'?

• A. Emily Dickinson
• B. John Keats
• C. Elizabeth Bishop
• D. Mary Oliver

Answer: (A)

Truth in poetry often works best when it isn’t stated bluntly. This line captures that idea by urging you to tell the truth, but to do so “slant”—through metaphor, suggestion, and indirect presentation rather than plain, direct speech. That approach is a hallmark of Emily Dickinson, whose poetry is known for its compact, crisp lines and unconventional punctuation that bend traditional rhythm to heighten meaning. The line belongs to a Dickinson poem that argues truth can overwhelm us if told straight, so it’s better to approach it with nuance and ambiguity. The other poets listed are celebrated for very different voices and styles, but this particular line is uniquely tied to Dickinson’s distinctive way of seeing and expressing truth.

Truth in poetry often works best when it isn’t stated bluntly. This line captures that idea by urging you to tell the truth, but to do so “slant”—through metaphor, suggestion, and indirect presentation rather than plain, direct speech. That approach is a hallmark of Emily Dickinson, whose poetry is known for its compact, crisp lines and unconventional punctuation that bend traditional rhythm to heighten meaning. The line belongs to a Dickinson poem that argues truth can overwhelm us if told straight, so it’s better to approach it with nuance and ambiguity. The other poets listed are celebrated for very different voices and styles, but this particular line is uniquely tied to Dickinson’s distinctive way of seeing and expressing truth.