How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #1
Much Madness is divinest Sense—
To a discerning Eye—
Much Sense—the starkest Madnes— (1-3)
Let's zero in for a sec on the fact that the speaker uses the adjective "Much" twice in these first three lines. We get the basic paradox: crazy people are sensible, and sensible people are crazy. But why does the speaker specifically say that we're dealing with a whole lot of crazy and a whole lot of sensibleness. Could the speaker be saying that only extreme madness is "divinest Sense" and only radical sensibleness is "starkest Madness"?
Quote #2
'Tis the Majority
In this, as all, prevail— (4-5)
Here it is: Majority with a capital M. This is the part where the speaker takes the poem to a whole new level. We're not just talking around circles about individuals who might be sane or insane; we're talking about the fact that the Majority of people are part of a massive conspiracy of craziness. Is this true, or is the speaker exaggerating? Can you think of ways in which mainstream society is completely off its rocker?
Quote #3
Assent—and you are sane—
Demur—you're straightway dangerous—
And handled with a Chain— (6-8)
These last lines reveal just how arbitrary the idea of sanity is. It's not based on your actual mental state; it's based on whether or not your mental state matches with everybody else's. What if you live in a place where everybody thinks it's totally sane to eat their own toes? Who's the dangerous one then, huh?