Background/Foundational Information: When an individual is born, they are born free. However, in society today, the freedom of man has been taken away by the majority and everywhere, man is in chains. In “Much Madness is Divinest Sense” Emily Dickinson believes that man is no longer free, in that in a situation where the minority fight for their rights, they are considered mad. Dickinson protests what she believes is a system that follows the opinion of the majority regardless of whether it is right. For Dickinson, the truth matters most as opposed to the number of persons against it. This poem by Dickinson is a voice for personal freedom and individuality.
Thesis: Society today tends to infringe on the freedom of minority by locking up in chains those who dare to think otherwise.
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Evidence and Support:
There is a strong feeling of individual suffering whereby individual souls are restricted.
And handled with chains (Dickinson, 8)-the chain is a symbol of imprisonment
Assent—and you are sane (Dickinson, 6)-In a case where an individual disagrees with the majority, they are considered insane.
Demur—you're straightway dangerous (Dickinson, 7) - when an individual disagrees with what is agreed by others, they are considered dangerous as if they are threatening someone with a knife.
There is an inability by the society to accept rebellion.
Much Madness is divinest Sense (Dickinson, 1) - to society, anyone that contradicts the will of the majority is judged and is considered insane.
'Tis the Majority (Dickinson, 4)-the majority determine the rules of conduct in any given group. In order for group goals to prevail, those who object to majority rule are ostracized.
In this, as all, prevail (Dickinson, 5)- In any community setting, it is the will of the majority that prevails. Deviations from standard rules agreed upon by the majority are not tolerated.
There is a social bondage that ties the minority to the narrow-mindedness of the majority
And handled with a Chain (Dickinson, 8)-once a person is considered a threat to the rigid thinking of the majority, society will try and use any means to suppress and force the minority to become part of them.
Demur - you're straightway dangerous (Dickinson, 7) - Those who protest against the majority are looked down upon with wickedness and hatred such that they are not able to live in peace. For any change to be effected lives have to be tortured and sacrificed.
Assent - and you are sane (Dickinson, 6)- Agreeing to the illogical thinking of the majority is the only way according to Dickinson that one can survive and be free from mental torture.
The majorities are the main force of oppression in society and are a force that wins all the time.
'Tis the Majority… In this, as all, prevail (Dickinson, 4-5) - In a society that is ruled by the will of the majority, people labeled as insane might be free for some time in their minds, but they can never escape the prison of beliefs set by the majority.
Much Madness is divinest Sense (Dickinson, 1)- According to Dickinson, madness liberates an individual mentally. It makes a person crazy enough to recognize that their ideas are as boring as those of the majority.
Conclusion: In summary, freedom is a costly affair. This is because, in a society that is ruled by the majority, the will of the minority is suppressed. The minorities are restricted, and there is bondage by the society that ties them to the will of the majority. In this regard, the society fails to accept rebellion, and therefore the majority rule over others.
Reference
Dickinson, E. Much Madness is divinest Sense.
