​“Much Madness is Divinest Sense,” is an ode poem by Emily Dickinson that expresses the judgments made by society. Societal pressures, barriers of expressing individuality and lack of freedom are all discussed in this short poem.The poem is one stanza with eight verses in total. The few lines that the poem consists of are all impactful and show explain how society judges a person. “To a discerning Eye,” is talking about society having sharp and discriminating eyes. “Assent, and you are sane,” and “Demur, you’re straightway dangerous,” explain that if you agree with the majority of people you are considered to be sane and are accepted in society, but if you object, you’re considered to be dangerous and a bad influence in society.  “And handled with a Chain” shows that one is influenced to change and conform to how others want them to be.  “Much Madness is divinest Sense” and “Much Sense the starkest Madness” shows the inverted reality of society, how when one believes that people should share the same beliefs they are insane and the few that stand out and appreciate others for being different are sane.The poet’s main message is that there are close-minded people in society who judge others for acting a certain way or becoming a certain person. People should not judge or try to change others who stand out for being different as each person has differing values, desires and needs and they themselves are the only ones who know what they have to do to be happy.