"I like the look of Agony" by Emily Dickinson

Too many times in history when the country, continent, or world is undergoing great difficulty or conflict, there is always that person (or group of people) who attempt to “sugarcoat” the situation. For different reasons people attempt to downplay the seriousness of momentous occasions. I like this Emily Dickinson poem, “I like the look of Agony”, because I feel as if she is speaking out against those phony facades and saying how precious the truth looks to those of us who desire it. “Because I know it’s true” (2). Dickinson did not write this poem for sadistic or gloomy pleasure derived from depression rather in advocating purpose of promoting the truth and realness. Dickinson does not concentrate on how delighted she is by the look of agony, but she is focusing on the look of agony itself and the emotions shown in the face. “Men do not sham Convulsion, nor stimulate a throe…” (3-4). No one walks around with the look of agony for no reason. There is always a reason behind this look of anguish and the best way for the issues behind these emotions it to express them, so a person could assist in relieving these cares and stresses. In relation to the Civil War, if the generals and leaders were lying or keeping the truth from the civilians, the civilians were walking around with a false sense of self and security, however even though disturbing news will cause their faces to become distorted and their attitudes changed, it is most beneficial in the long run. “The Beads upon the forehead by homely anguish strung” (7-8). This is quite a vivid picture of the beads of sweat that collect themselves upon the forehead of those in distressed. These beads of sweat look quite disgusting and can make a person nervous, however Dickinson loves the look of this because the this is an indication of the truth speaking, no matter how disturbing the news. All of the ducks are in a row now. Dickinson chooses to use such violent and frantic words to describe this look of anguish, because admittingly it is not a pretty site, but as they say, the truth isn’t pretty. Dickinson isn’t glorifying depression, but merely calling for honesty in the midst of hard times. If Dickinson was writing this poem in relation to the dishonesty and information held back from the public, she is declaring that she would rather be sweating in a panic, while informed of every major occurrence, rather than blissfully ignorant.