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6. What is the theme (the central idea) of this poem? Can you state it in a single sentence? Elaborate on your idea.

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6. What is the theme (the central idea) of this poem? Can you state it in a single sentence? Elaborate on your idea.

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The poem articulates the feeling of society shunning difference. The poem begins with a foreign perspective—insane people, in reality, are sane. This initial line confuses readers, in which Dickinson follows with "To a discerning Eye—"(2). Dickinson explains this confusion by stating that only a certain audience can sympathize with her proposal of sane insanity. She then builds on how ignorant society may be, arguing that people follow the majority because they are frightened by the potential backlash the divergent receive. Dickinson metaphorically compares this backlash as being "handled with a Chain" (10). She is highlighting the risks and consequences that come with voicing alien ideas and beliefs, displaying the foolishness of common society.

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5. Are there any symbols? What do they mean? Are they universal symbols or do they arise from the context of this poem?

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5. Are there any symbols? What do they mean? Are they universal symbols or do they arise from the context of this poem?

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The two most notable symbols that arise from the context of the poem are the discerning eye and the chain. Dickinson opens by advocating on behalf of the so-called "insane"s of the world. She writes "to a discerning eye" (2), representing their point of view to a discerning eye. This comparison explains that the majority of society cannot comprehend these people since they are indifferent and cannot see through that same perspective. The poem ends in another strong metaphor, expressing the repercussions people have experienced being the select few of insane people. Dickinson compares this treatment to being "handled with a chain" (10). This allows the reader to fathom the experience of having the courage to voice their most outlandish thoughts.

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1. What is the poem’s tone? Which words reveal this tone? Is the poem ironic?

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1. What is the poem’s tone? Which words reveal this tone? Is the poem ironic?

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The poem's tone starts as more angry and annoyed with how Dickinson implies that madness is used to label difference of thinking in society. This is revealed when she states how only people with a "discerning Eye" can see things sensibly. Dickinson shows how opposing the majority would be shamed upon and give difficulty to your life, changing the tone to be fearful because of the way Dickinson is. This can be seen in the phrases, "’Tis the Majority In this, as all, prevail -Assent - and you are sane -Demur - you’re straightway dangerous -And handled with a Chain-", which shows the consequences of not conforming with the majority. Dickinson was fearful that true madness would come to her from society's perspective and treatment of people. This poem is ironic or paradoxical because of how madness is compared to divine sense in a metaphor in the poem. Madness is seen as something that goes hand and hand with insanity or psychological issues which is believed to be not logical sensibility. "divinest Sense" is referring to thinking that is more advanced and does not conform with the rest of society's.

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 2.What heavily connotative words are used? What words have unusual or special meanings? Are any words or phrases repeated? If so, why? Which words do you need to look up?

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 2.What heavily connotative words are used? What words have unusual or special meanings? Are any words or phrases repeated? If so, why? Which words do you need to look up?

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The words "madness", "discerning Eye", and "handled with a chain" are used to enhance and give the poem more meaning. Madness refers to what society sees as mad which is heavily shammed upon. The word "discerning Eye" refers to people who are able to have the perspective and view that what is portrayed as madness is really "divinest Sense" or a more independent way of thinking. The word "madness" is repeated once in the poem because it is the main topic, being how she wanted to show what other's saw as mad was rational thinking. I needed to look up the words discerning, assent, and demur. The word discerning, meaning sharp or shrewd in understanding, was used to describe the "Eye" of people who can see how what people see as madness, is a sensible thought process to have. The word starkest, meaning to be severe or bare in appearance or outline, was used to describe madness. This was used to compare how what people see with much sense was considered to be a severe madness. The words assent, meaning to agree with, and demur, to object, were used to show the difference treatment that you would receive from either following the majority or having your own way of thinking.

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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—and you're straightway dangerous—
And handled with a Chain—