Emily Dickinson

Understanding the Poet

By Melissa Haug

"Few events in American literary history have

been more curious than the sudden rise of Emily Dickinson into a posthumous fame only more accentuated by the utterly recluse

character of her life and by her aversion to even a literary publicity." [The Atlantic

Monthly, October 1891]

Emily Dickinson is one of America’s most recognized female poets of the nineteenth century. Dickinson’s unique style of writing is what set her apart from most poets of her time. Her

compressed and forceful wording made it possible for her to place more meaning into fewer words; this is seen in Dickinson’s poem, “Much Madness is Divinest Sense.” At first glance, Dickinson’s poem seems misleadingly short and simple with only eight lines and an obvious

theme of madness versus sanity; however, on closer analysis the poem stands open to several interpretations. One explanation is that “Much Madness is Divinest Sense” has an underlying

theme of rebellion.

Much Madness is divinest Sense- To a discerning Eye-

Much Sense-the starkest

Madness- ‘Tis the Majority

In this, as All, prevail- Assent- and you are sane- Demur- you’re straightway

dangerous- And handled with a Chain-

To understand Dickinson’s poem, “Much Madness is Divinest Sense,” we must first put both her

life and her era in context with her writing. Dickinson spent almost all her life in her birthplace, Amherst, Massachusetts. She was born in 1830, the middle child of Edward Dickinson, a

prominent lawyer who was active in civic affairs, and who also had a reputation as a dictatorial husband and a tyrannical father. Dickinson once wrote that when her father spoke, her mother, "Trembled, obeyed, and was silent." Dickinson’s reading material was censored; much of her

knowledge of the outside world came from books that were slipped into the house by her older brother. When she was seventeen, Dickinson was sent to South Hadley Female Academy, latter

called Mount Holyoke College. She did not adjust to the strict religious atmosphere and returned home within the year. After that, Dickinson gradually began to withdraw from social activities

and eventually stopped leaving her home at all, remaining in her father’s house as a recluse until her death in 1886. Nonetheless, it is believed that Dickinson kept in contact through letters with a circle of friends and extended family. It is guessed that “Much Madness is Divinest Sense” was

written in 1862, which is considered to be during her creative peak period from 1858-1862. This was during a time when the nineteenth century woman had many limitations.

“Much Madness is Divinest Sense” demonstrates an anger and battle against the limits imposed

by the authoritarian male upon the nineteenth century intellectual female. Although Dickinson does not actually say that she is rebelling against “the Majority,” the reader gets the impression that she has thought about it. Dickinson begins with the lines, “Much Madness is Divinest

Sense- / To a discerning Eye-.“ These two lines exhibit Dickinson’s rebellion against not only the men who make the rules, but the women who blindly accept them. She is sarcastically

referring to “Madness” as the insanity of the conventions of society which supposedly make the “Divinest Sense” and are delightfully accepted by the proper empty-headed society woman who should have been capable of seeing the problem if she truly had a “discerning Eye-.” This theory

of rebellion is supported by Dickinson’s recluse lifestyle in which she did not associate with the women of her family’s social circle.

In lines 3-5, “Much Sense-the starkest Madness- / ‘Tis the Majority / In this, as All, prevail-/,”

Dickinson sarcastically describes the expected lifestyle of a woman in the nineteenth century as “Much Sense-the starkest Madness-.” She also uses the word “Majority,” a legal term, to tell us who has all the power over women. The power is mockingly held by “All,” actually meaning

only the men and lawmakers. During her lifetime, a woman seldom went to college; instead it was understood that she would remain under her father’s rule until she married; and then she was

dominated by her husband. Her position in life was to take care of her family. Women had few rights; it was presumed that the men would handle everything. Dickinson’s use of upper case letters for both “Majority” and “All” is a subtle reminder that the “majority” and “all” did not

truly rule, instead only the men ruled. Dickinson rebelled against the majority rule by isolating herself from society, and then expressing her opinions to her few friends by sending them her

poems.

Dickinson warns of the consequences of not following what the “Majority,” the males, defined as acceptable. She writes, “Assent- and you are sane-/Demur- you’re straightway dangerous-/And

handled with a Chain-“ Dickinson alerts the reader that by agreeing to the “Majority” rule, or “Assent,” one would be determined “sane,” therefore be safe and acceptable. When the nineteenth century woman acted as required, she was accepted by society. However, a woman

who veers off the path designed for her is “straightway dangerous” and needs to be controlled. Consequently, if you object to the expectations of “All,” you need to be controlled or “handled

with a Chain.” The use of the word “Chain” conjures up images of confinement, therefore we can assume that the consequences can be severe. Again the author uses an upper case letter for the word “Chain” implying a hidden meaning. Perhaps Dickinson was negatively referring to

being “handled” or controlled by marriage, or worse, in an insane asylum.

There are varied interpretations of the motivation for Dickinson’s way of life. Perhaps the poet’s recluse lifestyle was her own choice, preferring seclusion over having a domineering husband

like her father. Then again, possibly Dickinson had an unrequited love or a suitor who could not accept her as she was, so she hid from the world. Almost eighteen hundred poems were created

by this secretive woman, but because her work was not published until after her death we can never truly know her intentions. I like to think that Dickinson’s poem, “Much Madness is Divinest Sense,” has a theme of rebellion, portraying a strong woman who knew what she

wanted and was sarcastically poking fun at her contemporaries.

my favorite of dickinson's poems! post your response here. be bold. be daring. be courageous in your analysis. but most important of them all, have fun! there is a lot for analysis and discussion

here, and leave no stone unturned. every image, word, rhyme, punctuation (or lack thereof) is important and could potentially change your interpretation of the poem. Posted by Mr. Farley at 10:31 AM

45 comments:

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January 30, 2010 2:54 PM Kayla S said...

^^^You two seriously need to chill out^^^ Though Emily Dickinson’s poem, Much Madness is Divinest Sense, displays anger for her dull, conforming society, it does contain a twist of humor. She finds a way to not only

declare that “mad” can be defined in various ways depending on the eye of the beholder, but she uses small details and literary devices that elucidate the “madness” of the actual

poem. For example, the first noticeable lunacy is the slant rhyme in line four, the word “Majority” that clearly must be strained to fit the rhyme scheme. This throws the reader off a bit, and one can almost feel the madness emanating from the poem. The pause

marks and lack of other punctuation are also very noticeable. In a way, this sets her poem apart from the expected versions of common literature. It is a risk, a “dare to be different”

message. Dickinson also uses alliteration to form the harsh, humored sound of the poem. For example, the “s” sound is heard in every line except the last line. The fact that she continues a pattern throughout the entire piece only to drop it in the last line proves

frustrating, and therefore, “mad”. In all, her goal is to show her uniqueness and lack of need to conform to her society, and she has a great time of communicating this through

all of her poems. If the first few capitalized nouns in the poem are lined up, the words “Madness Sense Eye Sense Madness Majority” will emerge. This stream of words easily

sums up the poem. “Madness makes Sense to the discerning Eye but this Sense is Madness to the Majority”. Or, taking it a step further, she could have been

communicating “I (instead of Eye) Sense Madness in the Majority”. These small nuances help to wittily prove that being what society considers ‘insane’ can actually bring one to

clever, and even divine heights.

January 31, 2010 7:05 AM kendall van winkle said...

One of several poems written by Emily Dickinson, "Much Madness Is Divinest Sense",

illustrates Emily Dickinson’s immense disapproval of the madness present in her society using a unique and sarcastic approach. She expresses her strong opposing feelings for society in a way that defines the society as mad. Not only, does Dickinson affirm the

society mad in her poem, but the poem contains elements that make it a bit strange or mad itself; this aspect enhances the overall meanings. In addition, Dickinson expresses

that madness, being a broad term, is seen differently by all eyes. The most distinct aspect of “Much Madness Is Divinest Sense” is the false rhyme included. The second line of the poem ends with the word “Eye” while the fourth line ends with the word “Majority”.

Unlike typical poetry that consists of opposite line rhyming with the ending sound throughout the entire poem, this is unique and odd. The words do not rhyme, and this

causes the reader to want to pronounce “Majority” in a way that it will rhyme with “Eye”. Instead of a rhyming flow, this creates an awkward hesitation; a madness that is present. Overall, Emily Dickinson expresses her feelings of how the society contains madness

seen differently by all. Those who agree with society are thought to be sane, and those who oppose the society are dangerous and wrong. However truly she feels that those who agree are the mad ones; she who opposes is sane. This is where the true meaning of the

madness is lost because all see the madness differently.

January 31, 2010 9:14 AM tim wright said...

The poem "Much Madness Is Divinest Sense" by Emily Dickinson is a clear shot at her society. This poem is very straight forward but also leaves vast amounts of room for interpretation. The capitalizations of certain words tell the basic idea of this poem on its

own. She believes that there is madness in the majority. The structure and writing of this poem breaks through traditional styles of writing poetry. This different style causes the reader to think more than in usual poetry. The lack of punctuation causes its own

madness within the poem. Along with this, she uses a poem long alliteration. Most of the lines have the letter 's' repeated. In the first line, all but one word have at least one 's'. It

makes the line more like a simple tongue twister. In this line, she refers to her own belief, that nature is where it's at. The divinest sense is one that only some have. The onlooker in line two calls this belief mad. The third line refers to her society as a whole. It is utterly

mad. However this madness is the majority of te people. Because this concept involves the majority of the people, it prevails and lives more than her belief. Assent or concede to

this idea, and a person is completely normal. Object and a person is an outcast or insane in the eyes of the majority. An objection leads to a mark made by the people. The chain

prevents Dickinson from spreading her own way to view the world. The world was unaccepting of her so she removed herself from it. In a way, this is her Declaration of

Independence from her society.

January 31, 2010 9:36 AM Ana Mastropiero said...

Emily Dickinson demonstrates her ability to convey intense distaste for nineteenth century society through the poem, Much Madness is Divinest Sense. Upon analyzing this poem, readers come to the realization that “the majority” falsely accepts someone else’s

view of what is sane and right. The true sanity becomes mistaken for madness and pushed aside until someone of influence discovers the reason in the madness. Those who “demur” the majority’s perspective on life are “straightaway dangerous” and labeled as

insane. With two extremes, sanity and madness, mindless “assent” appears the only reasonable path free of obstacles for the common man. However, those who feel strongly

about their beliefs choose to demur and face the consequences. Thousands of miles away from Emily, in nineteenth century Austria, lives Gustav Mahler: a composer who fought the structure of the accepted Romantic style of music and follows his “madness”.

Mahler’s compositions break all musical rules of the time with his over-elaborate orchestration, confusing shifts of mood, and dissonances found in almost every piece of

music. For some time Mahler stood by his creative creations, but such innovative ideas were not yet accepted by the musical world. Emily’s poem explains the rest of Gustav’s story almost exactly; the composer silences his better judgement and abandons his

compositions to become conductor of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. As also explained in Much Madness is Divinest Sense, Mahler’s “madness”, almost half a century after his death, becomes “sanity” as twentieth century musicians use his music as

a stylistic model for their compositions. Dickinson’s poem successfully shines a light on the corruptive nature of society which entirely believes in one way of life. However, her

message, like Gustav Mahler’s music, touches her community years later.

January 31, 2010 9:44 AM sean Hickey said...

In "Much Madness Is Divinest Sense," Emily Dickinson rips apart the foundation of society, basically saying that everything is backwards. And while anger towards society is present in her writing, the irony that Dickinson uses is the effect that really gets her point across. However, not only is the message about madness, the way Dickinson

expresses this message can be seen as mad or different. What Dickinson is trying to reveal about society is that it is based upon madness. It is the

one thing that guides everything and it lies in everyone. She also says that once one agrees and accepts this madness, one becomes normal, or sane. However, if one questions this madness and objects to it, one is considered insane or dangerous and deserving of

punishment. Also, Dickinson's title and main theme is that madness is sense. Sense is the one thing that every being relies on in almost every aspect of life, and when Dickinson

writes that sense is just madness, it is something hard to accept and almost shocking. Dickinson also uses madness in her writing style. She uses abnormal rhyming schemes,

alliterations, and capitalizes words in the middle of lines that aren't usually capitailized. However, this madness can be seen as a rebellion to the madness of the common writing

style and the madness of what is accepted as "normal." These methods also add some other affects to the poem. For example, Dickinson capitalizes the words Madness, Sense,

Eye, Majority, All, and Chain. These words can be seen as the most important and affective words in the poem and help to summarize the message. This poem is all about madness. Whether in the message, saying that society is based on

madness, or in the way that Dickinson uses "mad" or different ways to write this poem.

January 31, 2010 10:08 AM Alexis Holiday said...

Emily Dickenson conveys her hatred of the nineteenth century conformist society she lived in through her poem, Much Madness is Divinest Sense. The meaning Dickenson’s poem is apparent but it leaves room for interpretation by other readers. Dickenson

bestows her irony and humor throughout the text, beginning with the first line where she mentions the word “madness”; madness can mean two things: insanity and anger. Then to complicate the situation, she adds the last two lines that contradict the beginning. This

causes a “madness,” just like how she describes her society in the poem. In the poem she explains that all who believe are sane, are actually “mad” because they follow the

majority of the people; and, those who think for themselves are dangerous to the society because they have different ideas. In the second line, she uses the word “discerning” which can be understood differently to different readers; it can mean wise, shrewd or

sensitive depending on the reader’s understanding of “madness.” This causes the poem to be interpreted as sarcastic, playful or even judgmental about the society she lived in; although it still revolves around one core idea, an extreme disliking of her society. The

use of punctuation, or lack of, and the abrupt breaks in lines helps elucidate her idea of a “mad“ society. Every time the lines break and begin, gives the poem an extra sense of

“madness” that was throughout the society. This creates frustration in the reader because the lines do have a fluency; the same frustration she felt living in the conforming society. She clarifies that through the eyes of the majority, those who do not conform are deemed

unworthy and insane; and, people are stuck to decide whether they want to comply or be shunned by the society they live in. Although the irony of Dickenson’s words and the

lack of punctuation changes and gives the readers a different grasp of the meaning of the poem, she still keeps the same underlying essence that individuality is necessary for an acceptable society.

January 31, 2010 12:22 PM Emily Reardon said...

Emily Dickinson’s poem “Much Madness Is Divinest Sense” illustrates her view of the despotic and banal world that she shunned. This poem elucidates Emily Dickinson’s

struggle with her society and the views her society revered -- single-mindedness and conformity. Dickinson alludes to this struggle with her society by offering two

conflicting views in her poem. For example, Dickinson writes, “Much Madness is divinest Sense…Much Sense – the starkest Madness” (Dickinson 1). Here she writes her

perspective, stating that “madness” is the unwillingness to conform and in her opinion, is the most treasured of all senses, while blind disobedience is the most obvious form of

literal madness. Dickinson finds it preposterous that an individual can be so tractable; submission to society, in her eyes, is the highest form of literal madness. In the last few

lines of Emily Dickinson’s poem, she touches upon her society’s view of the people, which differs greatly from her own. She states, “Assent – and you are sane – Demur – you’re straightway dangerous – And handled with a Chain” (Dickinson 6). These lines

carry the message Dickinson’s society strongly valued; to agree with others and maintain the status quo is normal and prided, but an individual who opposes the majority and the

like-minded opinions of the majority is a dangerous individual and is looked down upon. Dickinson describes these two conflicting views to not only illustrate her own opinions and those of her society about what is and is not acceptable in regards to obedience and

submissiveness to society, but also to illustrate the mixed thoughts in her own mind. At first glance, the reader is misguided and confused by Emily Dickinson’s poem as it takes

a reader in two directions. Initially, the poem is telling the reader to not conform to society. However, as the reader continues, he or she is being told that to agree to the thoughts and opinions of society is what is acceptable. Dickinson herself was being torn

the same two ways as her outside world was telling her to conform, while her own mind was telling her to object to the societal views that were suffocating her. Dickinson’s lack

of a definite ending, however, only a dash, illustrates that while society tries to hammer these thoughts into the minds of the people, there is still uncertainty with how many will actually comply. Dickinson, though, does not submit herself to her society; she rises

above the madness and obedience despite the pressures and opposing views of others that instruct her to obey and assent.

January 31, 2010 12:40 PM

emily stafford said...

Every society has its expectations of the people. One is expected to conform to fit whatever mold society has laid out for them. Unfortunately for society, not everyone is guaranteed to follow the set path labeled as "normal." Emily Dickinson was clearly one

of these free minds, angered by the need of society to enforce "normal." She expressed her irritation with the demands of society in her poem, "Much Madness is Divinest

Sense." The poem basically states that in society, it is typical for one to complicate their life to the point of insanity. However, every committed member of society follows the same pattern of complications, making the insanity sane. To an outsider, the unnecessary

entanglements taking root in everyday life are mostly nuisances, but to the conformed members of society, the lack of amenability to the mold makes no sense. Because those

leading simple lives do not fit the mold, they are automatically a threat to the standards set aside dictating “normal.” They are labeled as insane, and their ideas and standards for themselves are instantaneously disregarded. Dickinson calls upon her fellow outsiders in

her society to break this mold, and to redefine “normal.”

January 31, 2010 2:07 PM emily stafford said...

Also, Kayla S. stated in her blog that in the first four lines of the poem, the capitalized words were “Madness, Sense, Eye, Sense, Madness, Majority.” She said that it means

that “Madness makes Sense to a discerning Eye, but this Sense is Madness to the Majority,” which is how I initially interpreted the poem. I read Kayla’s blog, and then,

out of curiosity, looked at the next half of the poem, where the unnecessarily capitalized words were “All, Assent, Demur, Chain.” Assent means to give in, and Demur means to object. So the last half can be seen as “All Assent to the madness, but should Demur the

Chain.” Though we are tempted to give in to the conformity, we must take a stand for individuality.

January 31, 2010 2:08 PM

Matt Raybon said...

The unique writing style of Emily Dickinson enables her to include an innumerable amount of messages and ideas, into a short concise piece of literature. In her poem

“Much Madness is Divinest Sense” she, through her lack of punctuation, unconventional and sporadic capitalization, and strong expression of her views, depicts her extreme disapproval of the social norms. Dickinson, residing in America during a period of time

where women were expected to not take part in anything other than household chores, possessed ideas on the world, which were way beyond her time. As a result of this she

saw through façade of reason which society claimed to be intelligent and recognized the true insanity, which held the world in its grips. The subtlest way of rebellion, yet possibly the most moving, is Dickinson’s lack of punctuation and original grammar. It is almost a

way of saying, the rules and regulations laid out by society restrict creativity and learning, and by failing to recognize these rules in her writing she can create a more moving poem than by following them. Aside from her unique style she expresses her

ideas clearly as well. The title and first line of her poem, “Much Madness is divinest Sense” causes the reader to ponder, and come to the conclusion that what society sees as

“madness” is in reality sense to an enlightened individual who sees beyond the surface and analyzes the depth of reason. . The poem continues to say, “Much Sense is the starkest Madness” stating that to most people, specifically individuals who are not

enlightened in any sense and cling to avaricious desires, view what is actually intelligent and reasonable and insanity. Than in relation the first two statements Dickinson states

that agreement and conformity are accepted in this mindless society and in a negative light rebellion, but in an enlightened light, healthy questioning is shunned. She paints a vivid picture by saying, “Demur—you’re straightway dangerous—And handled with a

Chain” and expresses the repeating occurrence in history where a societies leaders become blinded by power and when the intelligent beings recognize this and speak out,

they are restricted with “chains” and not permitted to express their ideas which would help the overall welfare of the society. Dickinson was one of those individuals who saw her society as a suffocating environment and knew that if she took part in her society she

would be chained, leading her to retreat to her garden and her own world.

January 31, 2010 2:37 PM Alexandra Collado said...

Emily Dickenson was an influential American poet during the mid 1800s. Her radical writing style produced numerous poems that expressed so many ideas and emotions in

just a short amount of phrases and stanzas. Similar to her writing style her lifestyle was viewed as eccentric, never leaving her grounds and spending much time in her garden. In

one of her poems “much madness is divinest sense” she uses imagery to express her frustration with women’s options and social status during that time. During that times period women were expected to be seen not heard, an idea that Dickenson could not wrap

her head around. As she expresses in the poem the majority’s ideas are the ones that rule. According the majority these ideas that today would be thought of as mad are sane, and

people who have the wit and a “discerning eye” to see the madness are mad according to the majority. By capitalizing the word majority you receive the image of the whole world conforming and accepting the madness. Dickenson is explaining that why be “handled in

chains” because of her different views in the outside world when she can be comfortable and free to do as she wishes in her own house. The outside world makes her

claustrophobic trying to tie her down and keep her in a box. Contradictory to people’s beliefs, if you look at her choices in her eyes you that she wasn’t being cooped up, but traveling around her own world exploring and doing things that beyond her house would

be not be possible for a women. In conclusion the poem “Much madness is divinest sense” Emily Dickenson expresses her ideas that why bother to conform and be chained

to a broken society when you can do things your own way in your own space.

January 31, 2010 4:31 PM Alexandra Collado said...

This post has been removed by the author.

January 31, 2010 4:31 PM cocofaiella said...

Immanuel Kant, an Enlightenment and transcendental thinker, discussed his idea that one’s intuition is actually a sixth sense. Similarly, Emily Dickinson seems to elucidate a comparable idea in her poem “Much Madness Is Divinest Sense”. Kant demonstrated his ideas by representing the body as an apparatus, or a machine, for gathering information.

This body however, is very limited. Only through transcending the senses that are integral to the body, and through using one’s innate intuition, can a full understanding of

reality be attained. Emily Dickinson states, “Much Madness is divinest Sense—To a discerning Eye…"(lines 1 & 2). Madness is a term that can be interpreted differently by many. To some, it may mean foolishness, insanity, or stupidity, but Dickinson seems to

view madness as something akin to a gift, or as a godly power granted to individuals. It would seem that only “enlightened” individuals, however, can realize the value of this

gift. Going against the societal norms through expressing one’s opinions, thereby using one’s intuition, should be considered normal. However, in Emily Dickinson’s society where “unenlightened” individuals often subjugated their intuition, fear of expression

was probable. How can a society flourish when the gift of intuition is not valued and is quite often oppressed and even punished? Dickinson reveals that these “enlightened”

individuals who show no fear when expressing their views in society, were usually considered dangerous, and “handled with a Chain” (line 8). Fear of questioning and of eventually being rebuked is a driving force in an “unenlightened” society. It seems,

conversely, that a society filled with the repression of intuition is actually more dangerous, as constraint is being inflicted on extremely intelligent thinkers. Clearly, it is

only through an “enlightened” individual’s realization that madness is a divine gift, that a true understanding of the world and reality be attained.

January 31, 2010 4:51 PM

Drew Mendelson said...

Emily Dickinson, unshackling her spirit from the confining forces of male proprietorship, conveys a bitter iconoclasm through her poem "Much Madness is divinest Sense". She

cynically questions the social norm of conformity in a perverted society, but beneath the surface demonstrates a helpless plea for forgiveness and rebirth. She diverts her aggressive energies from authority to the silenced in order to create a tone of

victimization. Her tactics in doing so are certainly more subtle than the average writer's would be. Every capitalized word symbolizes terms coined by those in power: the

hectoring males. The idea of classifying those divergent from the “Majority” and the “All” as “Madness” made “Sense” to the ones watching over society with a powerful “Eye”. If you dared defy the span of this omnipotent “Eye”, then it would make “Sense”

to be tamed by a “Chain”. Taking the capitalized letter of every capitalized word (minus the first word of every line and repeat letters), the word “MACES” can be formed. Maces

symbolize not only gruesome weaponry, but also authority and command in numerous governmental and educational institutions. With this, she clearly draws the line between the lowercase as the subjugated, victimized female slaves and the uppercase as the

oppressive male bullies. Rather than fighting back, she subliminally deduces a more effective implication to this matter. Every line in Dickinson’s short but inspiring poem holds deep-seeded wisdom. However, the lines she begin with the same letter and end

with the same rhyme scheme really hold special emphasis, or else she would not have repeated it twice. Lines 1 and 3 begin with the letter “M” and end with an “NS” sounding

rhyme. Lines 2 and 4 begin with the letter “T” and end with a “Y” sounding rhyme. Lines 6 and 8 begin with the letter “A” end with an “ANE” sounding rhyme. Unscramble the letters and Dickinson wants “AN AMNESTY”. Dickinson simply asks that society grant

reprieve to “rebels” and the right to actively voice radical beliefs in peace. Some could even argue that Dickinson was an early civil rights peace activist, a predecessor to the

workings of those such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.. She preaches to the world to drop its maces and fists and to embrace the ideals of mercy and tolerance. She jostles the letters of her central theme and inserts no punctuation in her poem to

allow the reader the capacity for wide interpretation. This way, all is uncertain, and he can draw infinite conclusions without the repressive model of “right and wrong” to

inhibit his clairvoyance. If “All” begin to explore their depths more freely without constraint, perhaps “Madness” could merely exist as a relative term.

January 31, 2010 4:53 PM

michael reilly said...

Emily Dickinson lives in a conformist, theocratic society that she feels teaches and applauds incorrect messages. Dickinson's poem "Much Madness is Divinest Sense"

expresses her disapproval for her community and her anger against those who fear to speak their own mind. She is against those who believe the majority is always right and

shows this by using the word majority to throw off the rhyme scheme. This shows that in her eyes that the opinion of the majority does not always benefit the community, like the

word majority changes the rhymescheme. When Dickinson says, "Much Sense-the starkest madness" it shows her feeling that deep down all humans have an inherent madness. The "sense" man chooses to govern themselves with is really madness at its

most basic state. This is a paradox and agrees with Benedict Spinoza's belief that "all is one, and that one is divine." She also asks the reader to look at the poem through a

"discerning eye." By taking a closer look within a society, she feels one will be able to uncover the insanity hidden in what was looked upon as a stable community. The majority wants to keep this central insanity hidden and because of that those who

"demur-you're straight awat dangerous-and handled with a chain." By naming that which they fear insane and punishing those considered insane, the majority is able to move the

common eye away from the madness within its own community.

January 31, 2010 5:01 PM Isabel Magnus said...

Isabel Magnus....

Through the provocative vocabulary and complex word choice of the poem Much Madness Is Divinest Sense, Emily Dickinson expresses her deep appreciation of the

people who choose to maintain their ideas and morals despite what society holds as the norm. In a way, much of what Dickinson conveys is similar to the ideals of Emmanuel Kant, the father of Enlightenment. Dickinson’s appreciation is shown through the first

phrase and title of the poem, “Much Madness is Divinest Sense”. Paraphrased, that sentence could translate to insanity is the godliest of qualities, of senses. Being godly, a

pretty special thing, could possibly exhibit her awe and fascination with the few people who stand apart from societies’ traditions. Another word Dickinson utilizes is the word “madness”. There are no allusions to the fact that madness in this context signifies the

emotion of anger, which therefore leaves insanity as the other option. Later on in the poem, madness is referred to by use of the word “demur”, to protest. The poem muses on

the fact that within a society, “assent”, or permission, not protestation, is wanted. Those who protest are “dangerous”. Why are they dangerous? It is these few people who dare to break away from their “self-incurred tutelage”, a phrase Kant uses. By breaking from

their tutelage, they are not only gaining knowledge, but choosing to wield it. The leaders of a society who are trying to manufacture consent do not appreciate people who question

the way things are run. Emily Dickinson, through her placement and choice of words, displays her discontent for society and the wonderment she bestows on those few individuals who stand on their own.

January 31, 2010 5:08 PM Iris said...

Emily Dickson's poem, Much Madness is Divinest Sense, captures the reader by the misleading rhymes, capitalization and sudden pauses. Her style of writing is very

emotional, she tries to put the reader in the mind state she was in while writing but still making it hard to understand her exact perception. Much Madness is Divenest sense, was

written in an angry tone, that showed that she was not happy with her society and the way everything was titled. “Much Madness the divinest sense- To a discerning Eye-” meaning her eyes and what made sense to her was madness to everybody else. Within her society,

everyone believed the same, and had the same perception, especially of what women were suppose to be that alone was the madness. That madness that she saw was not

understandable to others, meaning the “Majority”. Therefore making her the out cast: being pushed out of her society and forced to isolate herself from the rest of the world. Emily was the one to "Demur" meaning to object and disagree with her society, that

made her a threat and "dangerous" to everybody else.The poems' lesson was to stand out and be different. Ridicule is a small price to pay to maintain your integrity.

January 31, 2010 5:56 PM

Rebecca Helstern said...

In Emily Dickinson’s Much Madness Is Divinest Sense, she portrays a strong message in eight short lines. Throughout the poem, Dickinson describes the madness of the society

she lives in. Her poem states that for the wise people, madness is the best state of mind because what the majority sees as sense is really obvious madness. If one agrees with the majority, or accepts the madness of society, they are seen as sane, and are accepted into

society. If one disagrees, or objects to the majority, they are seen as dangerous. As a result of this, they are tied down and their ideas are suppressed. Overall, Dickinson believes that society’s morals and values are incorrect. One could go so far as to say that

she thinks society has it backwards. The people who are thought to be insane are really the only ones escaping the madness in which everyone lives; the people who are in the

majority and just blindly follow the rules are the ones who succeed. This makes no sense to Emily Dickinson. She portrays her disbelief of the way society works in Much Madness Is Divinest Sense. I think Dickinson uses random capitalization and imperfect

rhyming to reiterate this madness she describes.

January 31, 2010 6:05 PM Theresa Soya said...

Much Madness is Divinest Sense, one of the many profound works of poet Emily Dickinson, releases her skeptic viewpoint of her society in just eight short lines. Without hesitation, she begins her attack with her very first two words, "much madness."

Repetition stems throughout lines 1-3, from the alliteration of "much" and "madness" to the sound-alike repetition of "madNESS," "divinEST," "SEnse," and "DIScerning." This similarity represents the conformity of those in the society around her. Line 4, ending

with an off-rhyme of "majority" represents how Dickinson refuses to conform to her society, as the majority of the population does. A lonely woman who confined herself to

the comfort of her home and garden for her entire life, Dickinson felt that she was one of the few who understood the reality of her society: that what was considered normal and

sane to everyone was in fact, madness. The view of the “discerning eyes,” or those who were considered wise in their society, said that those who follow along with conformity

shall prevail and be successful. "Assent," or agree to conform, and one is normal and sane. "Demur," or contradict, and one is a danger to civilization. The final line, "and

handled with a chain" is perfect for an ending, because it shows how the liberals were to be restricted and held down for their ideas for all their lives, until their own end. Compared with the few marks of punctuation in the poem, the line ends in a period, to

show the finality of the chain and the end society looked to bring to the non-conformists. However, this line also represents a call to action - to throw away the risk of these

restrictions, and encourage oneself to venture towards their own ideas and away from those of society.

January 31, 2010 6:08 PM jared katzman said...

Society has created the tradition of teaching the new generations the way to become a good citizen is by conforming, and a criminal by questioning the immoral structures of society. In the short poem, “Much Madness Is Divinest Sense,” Emily Dickenson

explains the importance of following a criminal life of questioning, while insulting the way society deals with the paradox of defining good and bad. Within the first line of the

poem, Emily’s opinion becomes clear. She defines madness not as a physiological defect, but as the act of questioning. Along with calling this madness a sense, she holds questioning on a pedestal higher than the five other senses, explaining questioning is of

greater importance than seeing and feeling. As the poem continues, lines two and three describe how an astute mind has increased senses; thus, increasing the mind’s “madness” as well. Nonetheless, even if the world contains a minority of truly educated humans,

there is no spill of truth into the predominant pond of conforming majority. Power hungry officials ignore the plea from their ethical conscious and continue the tradition of

chaining the insane, and awarding the conforming sane citizens. Through an eight-line poem, Emily Dickenson is able to relate to ideas from Immanuel Kant, give a critical view on how society works, and through a simple reverse of the definition of sane and

insane, a solution to the cultural problem of ignoring thinking can be retrieved.

January 31, 2010 6:10 PM amanda sachs said...

In a time where women are thought of as second class citizens and their worth was measured in household chores, Emily Dickinson could not conform. Her life was lived, not in accordance to society, however, in opposition to the expected. The poem "Much

Madness is Divinest Sense", though only a few lines, emits the strong opinion of society of which Dickinson felt so adamant about. Dickinson's poem is infused with messages and feelings, the use of capitlization, rhyme, and punctuation are all vital in the poem's

purpose. "much Madness is divinest Sense- To a discerning Eye", those who have a "discerning eye" are those who can understand the issues of the society of that time. They

realize that madness and chaos would in fact be better than the strict and organized ways influenced by religion's power. However, the next two lines depicts that "Much Sense" or

conforming,is actually the truest form of madness; and even though people do not want to conform and be part of the majority, one must. This analogy is further supported by the

rhyme scheme in the few lines, although the reader wants to say majority with a strong i sound to make it rhyme with Eye, which would be the natural thing to do, they end up

saying majority with the more conventional e sound. This convential way of saying majority represents the conventional way of living; by conforming to society's expectations. The poem continues to say that by living life in a conform manner, like the

majority of people, one will succeed, and will be looked upon as normal or "sane". On the other hand if you go against the majority or "demur", automatically society will fear

you and be label you as a threat. Being a threat to the nonchallenging ways of living and thinking, the safety of society's control over all. A threat to society needs to be taken care of, hence "handled with a Chain". With no punctuation, this poem delivers a constant

theme. Emily Dickinson lived her whole life in her estate, only venturing out to her garden. The way she lived her life and her writings were all in rebellion against the

"majority".

January 31, 2010 6:12 PM Amanda Carberry said...

In Emily Dickinson’s poem “Much Madness Is Divinest Sense”, Emily responds to how

her society views her personally. What she claims is that the majority of a society gets to determine what or whom is sane or insane. Once someone objects to the society, they are determined insane and, “handled with a Chain,” or in other words, looked down upon,

and considered a danger to the society. Even though the majority is not always correct in their beliefs and reasoning, as long as an individual continues to stand out from the society as someone who disagrees with it, or someone who just thinks differently, they

will be viewed as dangerous. Until they conform to the society’s majority, the belief of being dangerous will continue. Behind Emily’s poem lies a complaint about how the

society does not give people and more specifically Emily, a chance to be understood and appreciated for thinking differently. What Emily pleads is that the society does not look down upon people who have different opinions and views, and that it is a good thing for

people to think differently and for themselves. A society that believes in the philosophy of “assent-and you are sane-,” or thinking that the only way to succeed is to conform to

the beliefs of the majority of their society is naïve.

January 31, 2010 6:14 PM Beth Keenan said...

“Much Madness Is Divinest Sense”, a poem written by Emily Dickinson clearly demonstrates the theme that people who refuse to conform to society’s set ideas are punished. Dickinson claims that her society’s set ideas are madness, but are viewed as normal and acceptable. She states that what is viewed as madness is truly reason, and

what is viewed as reason is truthfully madness. If a person is inconsistent with the current views of society, Dickinson claims that they will be punished. In her life, Emily

Dickinson clearly diverged from the lifestyle that was seen as customary in the mid 1800s; Dickinson rarely left her home and spent most of her time composing poetry or

spending time in the garden. This inconsistency with society’s currents views is reflected in the poem. She also declares that madness cannot be determined by a society, what

defines sanity differs for each individual. Ideas which contrast with accepted views are often seen as a danger, which is why the holder of the idea is often penalized, or the idea

is set aside. If a person does “assent- and [they] are sane-”, however if they “demur- [they’re] straightaway dangerous-”, meaning that if a person conforms they are viewed as acceptable, but if they branch out from society with independent ideas, they are viewed as

a danger and “handled with Chain”.

January 31, 2010 6:19 PM Kyle Reinhardt said...

This post has been removed by the author. January 31, 2010 6:24 PM

kerry lang said...

In a society where the majority consents to maintain “normalcy” an enlightened individual “sees” the true madness that occurs in the society. Authority figures, to benefit themselves and to cultivate power, convince the people that society as a whole will

“prevail” if questioning does not transpire. “A discerning eye,” (Dickenson 2) similar to Transcendental ideas, exemplifies the knowledge gained from the universe that goes

beyond the physical world. This intellectual “eye” acknowledges that in a society supposedly run by the people, there are two options, neither of which truly benefits the individual. Incontestably one can assent to the madness. Authority figures esteem this

majority to be sane and model citizens. The road less traveled however, is to demur or to voice an opposition. Threatened by individuals who voice opinions, authority figures mold the society to view voicing opinions as “straightway dangerous” (Dickenson 7).

Like Kant, Emily Dickenson believes those who consent fear punishment and embarrassment. Thus the poem portrays that in order for a society to rid itself from

madness, each individual must be enlightened or “open his eyes.”

January 31, 2010 6:25 PM abbyburton said...

"Much Madness is Divinest Sense", one of Emily Dickinson's many insightful and thought-provoking poems, displays the writer's immense distaste and disapproval of the society that she, for her entire life, separated herself from. Dickinson also demonstrates the importance of questioning and even going against society and its rules. The title and

the first line of this poem immediately introduce the famous writer's beliefs that what society sees as madness is in fact the ability to question, think freely, and rebel, and that

this "madness" is a sense, far more important and divine than any of the other human senses. Dickinson sees the members of society who refuse to conform as the sanest members, and the conformists as the ones who display true and actual madness. The

"majority" in society look at those unafraid to question with a discerning and judgmental eye. And, as the majority of society conforms, agrees, and drifts through life quietly

without question, this literally insane part of society prevails and overpowers those who instead choose to make something of life with their ability to question, their "divinest

sense". The prevailing members of society, the majority, the conformists; they are considered to be sane and good members of society, while those who question are

"immediately dangerous, and handled with a chain" (Dickinson 7-8). These last two lines of Dickinson's poem make an excellent point. The members of society who refuse to

conform, and in doing that make a real difference, are often treated harshly, and sometimes even jailed. Look at, for example, Martin Luther King Jr or Nelson Mandella. These men were unafraid to speak out against what vast majority of society thought was

right, and for much time, these men were looked at as dangerous threats to the normal way of life. Mandella spent much of his life in jail, literally "handled with a chain"

(Dickinson 8). Emily Dickinson would look at these brave men with a great deal of admiration, thankful that someone finally stood up against society by using the ability to question and rebel, the divinest sense. So, all in all, Emily Dickinson, with her poetry,

used her divinest sense, just like the other influential members of society, by speaking out against society and refusing to conform.

January 31, 2010 6:30 PM

terrrilll said...

Emily Dickenson uses word choice to illustrate the paradoxical mores that her society exhibited in her poem “Much Madness is Divinest Sense”. She leaves multiple meanings

throughout her poem that are interpreted differently be each reader. In the first line, Emily uses a contradicting statement to begin “Much madness is divinest sense,” her choice of words holds two possible meanings. Madness could mean insanity or rage, yet

both definitions seem unfit to be described as divine, something godly or enjoyable. In the second line, the poem bends to the reader’s interpretation of madness when she uses “discerning.” Discerning can mean careful, wise, or sensitive. The discerning eye, who or

what it symbolizes, varies depending on what meaning it is known as. Third, Emily mirrors the first line in the third line, using a pause to emphasize the word sense. It is the

readers view on sense, whether it be sanity, reason, or understanding that determines the overall meaning of the poem. In this third line, she questions what is common sense, calling it the starkest madness. Between lines four and five, Emily states how majority

seems to set the definition for the words “sense” and “madness.” This does not mean that the definition should hold the same to every citizen, or that it is correct by any means. In

the next two lines, six and seven, Emily’s strong word choice broadens the conflict that the reader must face. “Assent,” to tolerate and put up with implies that one must just settle, never to be completely happy. “Demure, ” to object strongly is conveyed as

“dangerous” to the society, making the stakes even higher for opposing. the last line, Emily states by use of the word “Chain” that the consequences of opposing are severe.

Society leads people to “assent” and conform instead of taking the much more difficult route. Therefore enforcing society’s definition of madness and sanity as the more common meaning. With all the variations of meanings in her words chosen, Emily

Dickenson leads the reader to question the values of their society. Similarly to how every reader takes something different from the poem, every citizen takes something different

from their society. She urges the reader to analyze other possibilities than to take the most common route. The poem, with its multiple meanings for the words is meant to be interpreted differently by every reader; Emily leaves these decisions up to the reader.

January 31, 2010 6:33 PM Amelia Buchanan said...

In the poem “Much Madness is Divinest Sense,” Emily Dickinson describes the world as one that encourages conforming ways, so much so that any idea that strays from the norm of the masses is viewed as insanity. As a result, free thinkers are forced to mold their

ideas to mainstream thinking. Those who do not conform to this structure are brushed aside and viewed as “straightaway dangerous” (Dickinson) to society as a whole. To the “discerning eye” (Dickinson) there is sense in what appears to most to be madness. A

small group has been gifted with a “divinest Sense” (Dickinson) that allows them to perceive the world around them differently. This is much like the poems lack of

punctuation that sets it apart from other poems of its time and creates a feeling of individuality. In a world that is uniform throughout, this individuality may be mistaken for madness; however it could be these individuals who have the most sense. This

minority must “assent” (Dickinson) to the ways of the masses in order to be viewed as sane. Thus, they leave behind their individuality and conform to the world around them,

becoming outwardly like “the Majority” (Dickinson). The citizens that are viewed as sane are the ones who abide to every code in the world, depriving themselves of real sanity. The conflict is whether one should assent to society’s idea of sanity or run the risk of

being “handled with a Chain” (Dickinson).

January 31, 2010 6:43 PM Kyle Reinhardt said...

Emily Dickinson has a blunt way of sending a message through poetry. She wrote hundreds of undiscovered poems during her lifetime and only a few were published while she was alive. Would she have written differently if her purpose was to publish these

poems to the world? Yes the poems lack punctuation and certain words do not flow in the lines, but that is what makes the poem so ambiguous and able to be recognized with different meanings. In "Much Madness is Divinest Sense" the so-called Madness is

clarified in the first line as being the way she views the society and not conforming to it. To an onlooker, the "discerning Eye," the truth of the society is simple to the "majority,"

which is the people. The majority concurs with the incorrect society and they are seen as normal while Dickinson is seen as dangerous. Even though the truth is simple, no-one will demur or object. They will not because if they choose to object, then they will be

"handled with a Chain" as she was and viewed as an outcast. Dickinson is trying to communicate the fact that everyone, except a select few, are backwards with their views,

and in fact she is correct, but she allows for different interpretations of this.

January 31, 2010 6:48 PM Stephanie Carroll said...

Emily Dickinson, in her concise poem "Much Madness is Divinest Sense," illustrates her intense disapproval of her nineteenth century society. Through sarcasm and a hint of

humor, she describes a society that has gone "mad." Those who conform and accept ideas of others without questioning are the essence of true madness in her mind however, in

their society are seen as sane. Emily, herself, is a mad woman in this sane society. These "mad" people are thought to be dangerous and ominous to those who are sane. Emily

views her "madness" as divine; her "madness" is her sixth sense. This idea of a sixth sense is parallel to Immanuel Kant's intuition being a sixth sense. Both Kant and

Dickinson disapproved of their society full of absentminded acceptance by the majority. To emphasize her point, Emily also uses awkward rhymes to convey madness. "To a discerning Eye-," (Dickinson 2)is meant to rhyme with "'Tis the Majority" (Dickinson 4)

but instead it drops off. The capitalization and punctuation makes little sense to readers also aiding them in their venture to true madness. Following one's madness is like

following one's instinct;listening and using instinct is anything but mad, it is a part of human nature. In this way, Emily's society goes against human nature which is truley mad.

January 31, 2010 6:52 PM

Joel Diamond said...

Emily Dickinson uses her poem "Much Madness is Divinest Sense" to make a clear statement about the society she lives in. The idea that Dickinson illustrates in the poem is

that what most consider to be "Madness", she considers to be sense. What she considers to be the "starkest Madness", is what her society considers to be sense. Interestingly

enough, she uses "divinest" as an adjective for sense in the opening line. That interesting word choice shows that she believes that her idea of sense is what is truly godly. The use of "divinest" contrasts to the word "starkest", and through that contrast she is able to

show a clear division between the majority and her minority. In line two, she effectively personifies the word "Eye" by capitalizing it. This capitalization affects the reader's understanding of the poem because with the four words of line two "To a discerning

Eye", Dickinson is able to illustrate the minority of individuals who her concept can apply to. The last three lines of the poem-lines 6 through 8-provide a clearer and more

straightforward explanation of her idea. She uses these three lines to show what the majority of society considers to be sense. "Assent-and you are sane-". "Assent", meaning agree or concur, is what the majority of people in society do. People like Emily

Dickinson, however, "demur", meaning to make objection. "Demur-you're straightway dangerous-And handled with a Chain-. The last line of the poem shows how Dickinson

feels the majority treat the minority. Perhaps Dickinson's feeling of individualism or even unnaceptance is why she felt most at peace in her home and gardens, and why she only expressed her individuality through poem.

January 31, 2010 6:59 PM Chloe said...

In Emily Dickinson's poem "Much Madness is Divinest Sense", Dickinson explores the actions of her society. Most of the actions in her society, such how the women are

treated, is seen fine in the eye of the citizes but if looked at more closely, and not just glanced at, people may see how twisted many things in their soceiy are. This is one of the

reasons that eye is capitalized in the poem, to show that all of these actions of madness, although seen as rightful and just in Dickinson's society, are only quickly glanced at by

the onlooker. The poem also puts an emphasis on these actions acting like chains, holding the citizens of her society down, and not allowing them to deem from the norm. This is a

main reason as to why chains is capitalized in the poem, to put a strong emphasis on that idea. Finally, this poem puts a large empasis that a majority of Dickinson's society is not

questioning these downright twised actions. Dickinson also puts an emphasis on that fact by capitalizing majority in her poem. If more people saw these actions in Dickinson's eyes and how she saw these actions when she looked at them more deeply, there may

have been a future for her society at this time. But sadly, Dickinson could not push anyone else to believe what she did, because unless they truly understood what was

wrong with their society, they would not be able to have the power to stand up to these societal actions like one who discovered the harm of these actions themselves.

January 31, 2010 7:09 PM Charlie Fox said...

Emily Dickinson, a popular American poet in the late 1800s, lived the final ten years of her life in isolation from society. In her poem, “Much Madness Is Divinest Sense,” Dickinson expresses a realization that likely led to her behavior. Though she is not

considered a Transcendentalist writer, the author’s observations reflect major influence from writers such as Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. In the opening of

the poem, Dickinson claims, “Much Madness is Divinest Sense —To a discerning Eye” (Dickinson). She is referring to society’s definition of madness, which under close scrutiny, is really sane and good. This “madness” is merely questioning and free-

thinking. Meanwhile, “Much Sense [is] the starkest madness [and] ‘Tis the Majority“(Dickinson). Here, Dickinson is referring to society’s view of sense, which actually is madness, but this time as literal and obvious insanity. She concludes that the

majority of her society has a reverse view of sense and madness and thus she is compelled to reject it. Henry David Thoreau illustrates how such a prominent falsehood

could develop in his essay, “Civil Disobedience,” noting that a majority is almost always in power; however, the ideals of the majority may often be incorrect. “After all, the practical reason why, when the power is once in the hands of the people, a majority are

permitted, and for a long period continue, to rule, is not because they are most likely to be in the right, nor because this seems fairest to the minority, but because they are physically

the strongest” (Thoreau). Towards the end of the poem, Dickinson further clarifies the twisted view of her society. She conveys the false belief that by conforming, living under the tutelage of others, and never questioning the established order, one can live as a

respected individual; and, by thinking freely and individually interpreting the world, one is considered a threat. “Assent— and you are sane —Demur — you're straightway

dangerous —And handled with a Chain—” (Dickinson). In “Self-Reliance,” Ralph Waldo Emerson states, “Whoso would be a man, must be a nonconformist” (Emerson). Emily Dickinson would agree with Emerson, understanding that a real, sane man lives

independent of outside persuasion and influence. Unfortunately, the reverse view of the author’s society excludes this basic principle. As a result of her society’s warped view,

represented in the poem, “Much Madness Is Divinest Sense,” Emily Dickinson refuses to participate in external affairs, which stem from a lack of thinking and individuality.

January 31, 2010 7:12 PM KaylaCervone said...

In the Emily Dickinson’s cunning piece, “Much Madness is Divinest Sense,” she approaches the behaviors of her society in a humorous and ironic tone. Dickinson uses her poem to describe the rejection a person can feel in his/her own society, simply by

having a different perspective. If the vast majority all share a similar view, the few minorities who differ become alienated, isolated and considered “insane”. “MUCH madness is divinest sense/To a discerning eye; Much sense the starkest madness./’Tis the

majority” (1-4). Because people do not always respect the different views of others, this is very common even and especially in our modern society. Emily Dickinson also

mentions in the poem that once the different views are eradicated and those previous minorities surrender their consent to the mass population, only then will they be considered to be “sane”. “Assent, and you are sane; Demur,—you ’re straightway

dangerous, And handled with a chain.” (Dickinson 6-8). Conforming into society is the only option for one to be considered normal, however, in reality; people who are different

in society should not be out-cast for seeing things by their own angles. In fact, by not seeing things differently should be understood as insanity. In Ray Bradbury’s, “Fahrenheit 451,” the few people who differed from the regular society were isolated and

even punished for thinking or acting in ways that weren’t considered normal. It is the mixtures of different views and ideas that makes a society thrive, not manufactured

consent. There is no line that can be distinctively drawn between sanity and insanity as Emily Dickinson has displayed because everyone interprets the world differently and in their own way, so ideas will always be strange in another person's eyes.

January 31, 2010 7:28 PM

Andie Geiger said...

Emily Dickinson's poem, "Much Madness is Divinest Sense" presents a feminism approach towards her male-dominated society. In her poem, Dickinson displays her

obvious anger towards her society through the term "Madness". In lines 1-4, "Much Madness is divinest Sense--To a discerning Eye--Much Sense--the starkest Madness--

'Tis the Majority" (Dickinson) depicts female oppression. Dickinson feels that this oppression, becomes obvious madness to someone like a feminist, but makes sense to the majority of society, which were men. Dickinson's term, "a discerning Eye" could also be

a feminist's rise against oppression, and beginning to discover the issues in the male-dominated society. Also in this society that Dickinson lived in, men created most of the

laws and ways to live which were normal and made sense to them. In lines 6 and 7 of her poem, "Assent--and you are sane--Demur--you're straightway dangerous" (Dickinson) she illustrates two ways of how people of her society act to these ways. If you agree with

the ways to live, you are considered normal and sane, which was the majority of the society. The men were the majority of the society, and defined what was considered sane.

The other way was if you disagreed with the ways to live, you were considered dangerous, and these dangerous people could be defined as feminists who wanted a voice in their society. In lines 4 and 7 of her poem, she ends with two words that do not go

along with the rhyme scheme, majority and dangerous. Ironically, the two dangerous and

majority, were termed by the feminists, as they believed that the majority was dangerous. Just like the two words, feminism views did not go along with the rest of the male

dominated society.

January 31, 2010 7:29 PM Elise Schoening said...

Emily Dickenson held intensely negative views on society, resulting in little contact with the outside world and many literary pieces explaining her disapproval of society. In her poem, “Much Madness is Divinest Sense,” Emily Dickenson voices her opinions through

harsh criticism. She uses capitalization, imagery, and specific word choices to help convey her message to readers. She states that society is similar to a shepherd and his sheep: in order to prevail and be considered normal and sane, one must follow and agree

with the rest of society. Those who question and rebel are seen as threats and are therefore judged and separated from society at large. The capitalization of words and the

descriptive and unusual word pairings strengthen the poem. The “starkest Madness” stands for the beliefs held by the dissenting minority, who, according to Dickenson, sees clearly and is sane, while the majority is blind and mad. When Dickenson writes of the

“discerning Eye” she is referring to someone who goes against the norm. “Straightway dangerous” symbolizes those who question society and are conceived at once as a threat.

The capitalization of “Majority” and “All” allows the reader to know that Dickenson writes of society as a whole. The “Chain” with which rebels are handled does not refer to an actual chain. It symbolizes the punishment given to non-conformists. Throughout the

poem, Emily Dickenson criticizes conformist tendencies and urges readers to go against the norm and challenge society and break free from the societal chains that repress many.

January 31, 2010 7:42 PM

charley olman said...

As one of the world's most interesting and misinterpreted poets Emily Dickinson carefully constructed each one of her poems to attack society. Using every word, unusual punctuation, and even rhyme she gives the reader a uneasy and unforgettable feeling that

has made her works so important to poetry, and to individuals who are not so in favor of the world they may live in as well. The poem "Much Madness Is Divinest Sense" is most

captivating due to its extraordinary lack of clarity and depth of meaning. In the first two lines of the poem the reader comes across the feeling that Emily Dickinson is saying that the individuals, in her society of the time, who are obsessed with God and religion, are in

fact the crazy people. She is saying that a mindful person who is able to step back and out of the social norm for a second and look at the world they are living in; at the people they

are surrounded by, and what kind of society they have created, that mindful individual will realize what madness that really is. The next two lines illustrate Emerson's idea on becoming a "Man Thinker" instead of merely a follower. This idea is illustrated mostly

by the use of the word "starkest" to describe madness. Starkest; meaning blunt or extremely to the point, describes how obvious it is that the true idiocy is following the

majority. Also, the rhyme that is brutally cut down in its progression from "Eye" to "Majority" expresses the awkward, terrible task of going along with the majority, which

in this case represents Miss Dickinson's culture and society. The idea of civil disobedience from Thoreau starts to come to mind as the reader moves through the poem.

Towards the 5th line, at this important turning point in the poem, Dickinson admits that going along with society and being a part of the main stream culture and a part of a whole

group is in the end, more rewarding, when moving on in life. She does this in a sort of 'sighing' fashion, as if to admit defeat after sounding so strong and controversial in the first four lines of the poem. She uses commas, and the pause at the end of "prevail", to

cause the reader to slow down and read each word as if they are being spoken slowly with broken morale. The last three lines are just stating facts after a long and grueling

argument, telling the reader of the obvious dangers when one rebels against a society. Her use of the word "chains" is an example of this point. These three lines represent Dickinson's debilitating, and long lasting, battle against her world. They are straight

forward and leave little to interpret perhaps because she is finally out of energy to defend her views. She merely spells them out for the reader in plain prose, with no questions

asked. Even with this last ditch effort to get her point across she pays respect to the power of the societal majority, conforming to the world she feels apart from, allowing them the only real rhyme in the whole poem, which is demonstrated by the words "sane" and

"chain".

January 31, 2010 7:58 PM Colleen Toomey said...

Emily Dickinson’s poem, “Much Madness is Divinest Sense”, clearly illustrates her distaste towards the society she lives in. She feels as if what society does not accept, or finds to be mad, is the complete opposite of what she believes to be so. In the first two lines of her poem she states, “Much Madness is divinest Sense -- / To a discerning Eye --

” (Dickinson 1-2). She is stating that only one who has a discerning, or keen, eye would be able to spot that madness is not bad, but good. Society’s idea of what is mad is

actually quite the opposite than what is truthfully crazy. She continues to explain, “Much Sense -- the starkest Madness -- / 'Tis the Majority” (Dickinson 3-4). Here she is saying that the true madness is actually what the majority of people are. The most seemingly

sane people are actually the ones who are mad. Those with the most “sense” by society’s standards have the least according the Dickinson. Those who agree and assent are

perceived as sane in her society, while the ones who question are dubbed dangerous and insane. Dickinson’s poem has a definite tone of disapproval as she finds those who blindly conform to be dangerous and mad. She ends the poem with the line, “And

handled with a Chain --” (Dickinson 8). To her, those who chose to question society are treated unfairly and ostracized from the rest of society. They are chained up by society’s

madness rather than their own.

January 31, 2010 8:04 PM shannon said...

Emily Dickinson's opposition to the conformity of society is cleverly displayed in her poem, "Much Madness is Divinest Sense". Throughout this short but voluminous piece, Dickinson conveys that the majority of society bases their views and opinions around

complying to the common ideas rather than originality. When Dickinson says, "Much Madness is divinest Sense," the reader can infer that "madness" refers to the intellectual

ability of those who are enlightened, and those in society who rebel against ordinary standards. In the second line of her poem, she capitalizes "Eye" because perhaps she is

referring to the society that she considers herself a part of; one that sees beyond normalcy and views the world in a more transcendental way. Dickinson continues on saying that the most obvious and blunt madness is the majority, also emphasizing on "Majority".

This also could be a reference to the alternative society that she has such a distaste for. There is also a forced rhyme within these lines, and some say that perhaps Emily

Dickinson purposely did not rhyme her poem to perfection, in order to convey madness in the actual construction of her piece. When she says, "In this, as All, prevail--", the reader concludes humor is being utilized, as she is saying that if society conforms, then

society prevails- something that Dickinson clearly does not believe in. The next two lines express that if you conform, you are sane. However if you rebel or "demur", then you're

"straightaway dangerous" (Dickinson). "Chain" is capitalized in the last line because it represents what society does to those who do not conform and choose to stand up for their ideals and beliefs in a world where that is not acceptable.

January 31, 2010 8:59 PM

Kelly McAdam said...

In "Much Madness is Divinest Sense", Emily Dickinson treats madness as the better path than sanity. Through this poem, Emily Dickinson implies that the sense of madness is

superior to all the rest by expressing her annoyance with society. Dickinson is frustrated with the society she lives in because too many people conform to it because they are afraid; afraid to question and afraid to not only form their own opinions, but also to

express them. Living in a world with meager questioning of authorities, Emily Dickinson discovers that madness, a normally deplorable state, is really a healthy escape. Emily

states, “Much Sense-the starkest Madness” (Dickinson line 3). Through this line, she explains that the sense above all the rest is plainly madness. Dickinson portrays madness not as something one should feel ashamed of, but rather as a transcending of the senses

and a new state of mind. Transcending the reality of the senses, releases one from the conformity and ignorance of society. She does not see madness as the typical insane state

and tries to put forth the idea that it is a good thing. Emily Dickinson says that if one follows the rules by not questioning and by conforming to society, they are not mad. However, she says that “Demur-you’re straightway dangerous” (Dickinson line 7).

Through the eyes of society, if one questions it, they are considered a threat. One becomes a threat when they think for themselves because the world is filled with fear. A

society is formed to provide guidance. However, the people become so accustomed to being told what to do that they become attached to their way of living and feel afraid when they find that what they believe may not be true through someone questioning it.

The only way to transcend reality and the senses, is to get rid of all attachments. If one is not attached to their way of living and being told what to do, they can then question and

change it to transform the world they want to live in. Emily Dickinson bluntly calls it madness, but it is simply the fascinating path society is too afraid to take.

January 31, 2010 9:04 PM Ari said...

For a society to continue in a state of inequality, it is vital that the general population accept this inequality as “normal.” In her poem “Much Madness is Divinest Sense,” Emily Dickinson displays her contempt for an American society that nurtured inequality

throughout the 19th century, and illustrates the conformist attitude that resulted in the continuation of inequality in its many forms. In the first half of the poem, Dickinson explains the backwards views of society. She describes what the majority of society

would call sensible as “the starkest Madness,” and describes what this society would call madness as “divinest Sense.” If one truly examines the American society of the time

period, this backward state, described by Emily Dickinson, is clearly evident. This country that claimed to be a haven for freedom, liberty, and equality, justified and heavily relied upon enslavement of Africans and their descendants. Even after the Civil War

freed these people from bondage, they were not given equal rights until the second half of the 20th century. In addition, women of this time period were second class citizens and

not afforded the same rights as their male counterparts; it was not until the 1920s when women finally gained the right to vote and have any influence over government. Unfortunately, this insane hypocrisy was accepted due to the conformist attitude of the

time which Dickinson describes in the second half of her poem. Those who conform to the madness of society are considered sane while those who rebel are dangerous. This

conforming attitude is the pinnacle of the insanity. After all, the country was founded by men who would not conform to the society of their time. The positive aspects of their legacy, such as their unwillingness to conform to that which was unjust, were ignored by

Dickinson’s society, while the negative aspects, such as slavery and unfair treatment of women, were kept.

January 31, 2010 9:06 PM

isabelle morris said...

Emily Dickinson, A brilliant poet, can send such strong messages in so few words. In her poem Much Madness Is Divinest Sense, Dickinson shows immense power in eight short

lines. Dickinson demands the reader’s attention in her dramatic first line, for the reason that many people in society are fascinated by drama. Dickinson continues to confuse the reader, because her lines and choice of words are ambiguous. In Much Madness is

Divinest Sense Ms. Dickinson exhibits an anger and battle against the limits imposed by the dictatorial male upon a typically intellectual female. Although Dickinson does not

actually say that she is rebelling against “the majority,” the reader gets the intuition that she is considering it. Dickinson begins with the lines, “Much Madness is Divinest Sense/ To a discerning Eye” (Dickinson 1 and 2) These two lines exhibit Dickinson’s rebellion

against not only the men who make the rules, but the women who are weak enough to accept them. In her opinion, watching all of this happen is just as bad, if not worse as

taking the actions upon themselves. Later on in the poem, Dickinson warns her readers when she says “Assent- and you are sane/Demur- you’re straightway dangerous.” (Dickinson 6 and 7) She is trying to articulate that if one allows the “majority” to

continue this that it will become a normal way of society. Dickinson had an extreme way with words and her messages will never be forgotten.

February 5, 2010 2:03 PM

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Much Madness Is Divinest Sense

Emily Dickinson 1890

Author Biography

Poem Text

Poem Summary

Themes

Style

Historical Context

Critical Overview

Criticism

Sources

Further Reading

The date that “Much Madness Is Divinest Sense” was written has been guessed as 1862, but

nobody knows for sure because the poem was not published until almost thirty years later, in 1890, after Dickinson’s death. Her poetry was first introduced to the public through the efforts of

friends and relatives who discovered her poems, corrected her punctuation, designated titles, and modified some of Dickinson’s meanings so as not to offend her audience. It was more than forty years before her original poems were handed over to the United States Library of Congress,

where they were thoroughly examined and Dickinson’s original versions were restored. The only editing that was done for the later publications was to assign location numbers to each full piece

as well as to every poem fragment. “Much Madness” was given the number 435.

“Much Madness Is Divinest Sense” was published in Dickinson’s first collection, which was simply called Poems(1890). This poem stands wide open to a variety of interpretations. It can be

said to represent her sense of humor, or rebellion, as well as her sense of frustration as an intelligent female living in a world that was dominated by dictatorial males. The poem can also

reflect her anger, for although she was described as quiet spoken and demure, Dickinson did not hold back her strongest sentiments when it came to writing them. Read in another view, the

poem could be taken to express Dickinson’s fear of literal madness.

The poem is deceptively brief and at first glance appears simple. However, within its eight lines is hidden a universal theme that runs so deep that more than a hundred years later its significance

is still fresh, its impact is still sharp, and its expressed emotion is still controversial. This poem is so contemporary that Robert Hass, former United States poet laureate (1995–1997), chose to read “Much Madness Is Divinest Sense” to President and Mrs. Clinton at a celebratory meeting

in the White House in 1998.

Author Biography

Emily Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, on December 10, 1830, the second daughter of Edward and Emily (Norcross) Dickinson. Her family was well established in the

community, her grandfather having been one of the founders of Amherst College and her father having served in both state and federal Congresses. For most of her life, however, Dickinson

shunned public life, preferring to detach herself from society and focus, instead, on her writing.

As a child, Dickinson was educated at home, mostly under the guidance of her father, who heavily censored her subject matter in fear that some books might lead her away from his religious beliefs, which he demanded that his daughter accept without argument. Her father must

have been torn between recognizing her intellectual curiosity and wanting to control her thoughts, for he bought her books, then hid them after showing them to her, telling her he was

concerned that the books might shake her thoughts.

Although Dickinson went on to attend both the Amherst Academy and Hadley Female Seminary (present-day Mount Holyoke College), she did not receive a degree. Her accomplishments in school, however, were famous; her intelligence, her imagination, and her ability to write dazzled

many of her teachers. Shortly upon completing her first year of college in 1848, she returned to her family home and remained there until her death, venturing out for only occasional trips.

Although Dickinson seldom left the confines of her father’s home and infrequently responded to

visitors, she did chance to meet two men, in particular, who would greatly influence her. First there was the Reverend Charles Wadsworth, whom many Dickinson biographers believe inspired

her intellectually. Some critics have speculated that Wadsworth was the focal point of many of Dickinson’s poems.

The other man who influenced her was Thomas Wentworth Higginson, a literary editor and essayist who had written an article in the April 1862 Atlantic Monthly that offered advice for

young poets. After reading Higginson’s essay, Dickinson began sending poems to him, asking him to evaluate her writing. Higginson was gentle in his suggestions, and he advised her not to

publish. Ironically, Higginson would, after Dickinson’s death, become instrumental in publishing her first collection.

As she grew older, Dickinson withdrew even further from society and devoted the rest of her life to improving her art. She wrote prolifically. In 1862 alone, it is believed that she wrote a total of

366 poems. Her later poems reflect an examination of the personal self, especially in terms of her emotions, and of the greater concept of self, her soul. Her more mature writing also explores the

universal themes of death, knowledge, and immortality.

Dickinson saw less then ten poems published in her lifetime. Her first collection, Poems, was published in 1890. “Much Madness Is Divinest Sense” appeared in this collection. The following year, a second collection, Poems, Second Series was published. Both collections were reprinted

several times due to popular demand. The first publications of both collections were also heavily edited, so the poems would appear more conventional and pleasing to a general audience.

On May 15, 1886, Dickinson died of Bright’s disease. She was buried in Amherst.

Poem Text Much Madness is divinest Sense—

To a discerning Eye—

Much Sense—the starkest Madness—

‘Tis the Majority

In this, as All, prevail— 5

Assent—and you are sane—

Demur—you’re straightway dangerous—

And handled with a Chain—

Poem Summary

Line 1

Dickinson’s poem, “Much Madness Is Divinest Sense,” opens with a statement that immediately demands the reader’s attention. Dickinson employs her ironic, or contradictory, wit to the full

text of this poem, beginning with the paradox in the first line. Questions that may arise with the first two words in this line might concern what she means by “madness.” Is Dickinson referring

to insanity or anger? To complicate matters, Dickinson throws the reader off by adding the surprising two words at the end of this line, juxtaposing the first impressions with a contradictory second one. The reader might wonder if Dickinson is serious or if she is poking fun at someone

or something. Is she enjoying her madness? Is she using madness to rise above a situation in which she feels uncomfortable or trapped? How can madness make sense? And why “divinest

Sense?” Does she mean divine in the sense of being godly, or is she referring to something that is merely delightful?

Note the alliteration in this line. There is the double m in “much madness,” and the s at the end of

the words “madness,” “is,” and “divinest.” Also, the word, “Sense,” has s at both the beginning and the end. So this initial line is not only catchy for its contradictory or rebellious twist in meaning, but the use of alliteration makes the line fun to read with the tongue slipping over all

the s sounds.

Line 2

The word “discerning” in the second line can be understood in a variety of ways. Discerning can mean discriminating in the sense of being cautious; or it can mean astute, or wise. It can also mean sensitive or even shrewd. Depending on the reader’s experience with, or attitude toward,

madness, the poem can turn on the word “discerning.” The reader can interpret this poem as sarcastic, judgmental, or playful. Like all good literature, Dickinson’s poem offers space in which the reader can move around, bringing his or her emotions to the work and enjoying it not

only through the author’s view of life but on a personal level as well.

Line 3

In the third line, Dickinson almost completely turns the first line on its head, placing what was first last and vice versa. Again the line uses alliteration, with s appearing five times. And again there is ambiguity here, this time present in the word “starkest.” Does the poet mean bleak,

harsh, or desolate? Or is she making reference to a sense of completeness? She can also be suggesting the adjective, plain.

By twisting the phrases around between lines one and three, Dickinson may simply be emphasizing her opening statement. She may also be saying that it does not take a lot of madness

to make sense because even the starkest madness is understandable. However, she is stating that too much sense is the harshest madness of all.

With this line, there arises another question. What does she mean by “Sense?” Is this common

sense? Is she implying sanity or rationality? These questions about the meaning of “Sense,” to which she is referring, actually make up the core of the whole poem. It is upon a definition of “Sense” that the poem is written, is it not? Does not the poet want the reader to think about who

defines that which is referred to as sense?

Lines 4–5

It is lines four and five that offer a possible answer to these questions, in part, at least. “‘Tis the majority” who defines sanity and sense. This does not mean that their definition is correct. Dickinson is only implying that since the majority has the rule, “as All,” their definition is that

which “prevails.” This might lead the reader’s thoughts to the question: What if madness was in the majority? Then, the next question might be, What is madness?

Line 6

The word “Assent” implies abiding by or, in more oppressive terms, acquiescing. If the reader is familiar with details in Dickinson’s life, such as her domineering father and the small-town pressures of Christian conversion that Dickinson experienced in Amherst during her time, this

word takes on stronger emotions. Dickinson was torn between her natural shyness, her sensitivity, and her innate sense of rebellion. Understanding these variant forces in her life helps the reader to appreciate the weight of the contradictions and emotional battles that she

confronted. To give in to the dominant forces was to be declared sane, safe, and proper. If she assented, more than likely, she was also left alone, something that she craved.

This conflict is a universal one. It defines the relationship between parents and children; families

and villages; tribes and states. To go along with the majority is to find peace, at least in some situations, but it is not always a comfortable peace. It is sometimes a peace that comes at a high

price, the price of one’s own private sanity.

Line 7

The use of the word “Demur” is fascinating. The word means to object, or protest. However,

spelled with an additional e, “demure,” the word takes on …

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