Emily Dickinson Paradox

A Poetic Paradox
(A Discussion on what Behaviour Merits the Label of Insane According to Emily Dickinson’s Poem “Much Madness is Divinest Sense-”) Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned poets in America, and in the world as a whole. However, this would come as little comfort to her, as her fame was achieved long after her death. During life, she was confined to her home, thought of by all who knew her as mentally ill. However, after her passing, her quarters were found to hold an astonishing number of small pieces of paper, each with a small amount of nearly illegible writing. First thought to be lists of some sort for the pattern of lines, upon further inspection they were found to be thousands of witty, though extremely meaningful
and thought-provoking, poems. One of the most famous of those found was “Much Madness is Divinest Sense-”. In this essay, it shall be discussed the truth of Dickinson's words in “Much Madness is Divinest Sense-” and various examples of said truth in human history. It would be pertinent to converse about the meaning of said poem before the analyzation of its amount of truth commences.
The first line is the title: “Much Madness is divinest Sense-.” On first glance, this statement seems quite the paradox. Intense insanity is godly sanity? How ever, the very next line puts into effect a whole new meaning: “To a discerning eye-.” This states that, to those who look closely, insanity is truly the best kind of sanity. The next line is an opposite of the first: “Much Sense - the starkest Madness-.” It claims that those seen as having the most sanity are truly those that are the most insane. These ideas seems quite odd; however, the next two lines throw everything into light. “‘Tis the Majority/ In this, as all, prevail.” Now we understand the true message- the majority decides who is sane and who is insane. However, simply because they are they majority does not make one correct, hence saying that sense, as thought of by the majority, is the true madness; blindly following the herd like dumb driven cattle, never daring to be a hero in the strife. “Assent - and you are sane -/Demur - you’re straightway dangerous -/ And handled with a Chain -.” Now it becomes thought-provoking as Dickinson states that if you agree with what the whole thinks without question, you are sane, but if you have any sort of individuality, you are labeled insane, and not only insane, but dangerous to their well-being, be it physical or
mental.. Personally, I must agree with Dickinson's description of the mindframe of society.
Too often in life have I witnessed these words to be true, and not simply with other parties, but with my own person. I am often called crazy for my unorthodox interests, incessant activeness, and odd passing comments. Yet I know myself to be perfectly sane and that many share the same opinions as mine, but simply refuse to speak of them aloud. I am labeled insane because I speak my thoughts, for in society, no one really wants to hear anything different, because different can lead to change, and it is human nature to fear
change. Many perhaps find this concept to be irrelevant or altogether incorrect; however, the truth of these simple observations have been present in our minds since we were adolescents. One of the first major figures we learn about in history is Christ, who brought radical new ideas to the world, saying that god was not wrathful and murderous to those who opposed him, but that he was caring, forgiving, and understanding. For preaching these ideals, he was branded insane, and dangerous, and he was crucified. Another example can be found with Galileo, who proclaimed that the Earth went around the sun, and therefore was not the center of the universe. The church had him arrested for uttering such blasphemy, so different from what the bible stated...and yet he had the evidence to back up his claim. The most intriguing example of all, however, must be Emily Dickinson herself. She was called insane, locked in her room for years...and clearly, she is one of the brightest minds in history. Perhaps Dickinson was thinking of her own experiences when she jotted down this poem; perhaps she was simply fed up with society oppressing individuality and change. Sadly, she will never know the great effect she had on history with her little scribbles. Her works rival those of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Thoreau, and bypass the Shakespearean Sonnets by far in terms of relevancy, if you don’t mind me saying. Clearly, the truth to her words in this poem is evident, and should be taught to all, so they can better learn to be a hero in the strife.