Blog 4:Much Madness is divinest Sense

The most notable rhetorical device used by Emily Dickinson in Much Madness is divinest Sense, would be two paradoxes. The poem is suggesting that insanity is a good thing to have, but also stating that this sense is insanity. The author's use of "..a discerning eye,"(Dickinson 830), describes the first idea of insanity being good, but only to the people with a keen sense of seeing this sense in others. Discerning may also refer to the foolish or ignorant people who believe that insanity is good. However, the author offers the rebuttal view of the majority of people. The second theory that good sense is insane is mostly accepted, " 'Tis the majority,"(Dickinson 830). But after recognizing both approaches to insanity, the speaker gives order to the reader to, "prevail," "assent" and "demure." The speaker implies that to agree is to be sane. On the flip side, the speaker says modesty in this regard is harmful. All in all, Dickinson's look uses paradoxes to connect our insanity and senses.