Much Madness is divinest Sense

This whole piece is a paradox. Dickinson, in a twisted way of telling it, tell readers he views of conformity and madness. "Much Madness is divinest Sense-To a discerning Eye-Much Sense-the starkest Madness-" In these lines, she says that madness is sense, and sense is madness. Sense is madness goes along with the verb "assent" which means to agree or go along with. This also goes along with conforming to what society wants you to do. Having sense, in Dickinson's mind, is being a follower who can't make decisions and goes along with what everyone else is doing. Madness is sense goes along with the verb "demur" (7) which means to disagree with. It also goes with nonconformity. Dickinson is telling people to step out and be themselves, even if other people think you are mad. Become your own person and don't care what other people think about you.