Much Madness Is Divinest Sense

Worksheet Description

This worksheet is centered around Emily Dickinson’s poem “Much Madness is Divinest Sense,” which is known for its use of paradox. Students are prompted to explore the paradoxical nature of the poem, which juxtaposes madness with sense and conformity with danger.

The first task asks students to identify and explain two specific paradoxes from the poem. For example, the title itself suggests that what is often considered madness may actually be the highest form of wisdom to those who are discerning. The poem challenges the reader to consider the fine line between sanity and insanity, and how society’s majority rules can deem what is or isn’t acceptable, often leading to the marginalization of what is actually sensible.

In the second part, students reflect on the overarching message of Dickinson’s poem. They must contemplate how the societal norms can be paradoxical in themselves—how often what is labeled as ‘rebellion’ is actually an expression of true sanity and how individuals who conform blindly are in a dangerous position of losing their individuality. This exercise encourages critical thinking about societal norms, individuality, and the meaning of true wisdom.