Emily Dickinson Much Madness Is Divinest Sense

Emily Dickinson's "Much Madness is divinest Sense": Unpacking the Paradox

Introduction:

Have you ever felt like the world perceives your brilliance as madness? Emily Dickinson, a master of poetic paradox, eloquently captured this sentiment in her enigmatic poem, "Much Madness is divinest Sense – / To a discerning Eye –." This seemingly contradictory statement invites us to explore the complexities of societal norms, individual perception, and the nature of genius itself. This in-depth analysis will delve into the poem's meaning, historical context, critical interpretations, and its enduring relevance in the modern world. We will dissect the poem line by line, uncovering the layers of meaning Dickinson subtly weaves into her concise yet powerful verses. Prepare to unravel the enigma of "Much Madness is divinest Sense" and gain a deeper appreciation for Dickinson's revolutionary poetic style and insightful observations on human nature.

I. Deconstructing Dickinson's Paradox: A Line-by-Line Analysis

Emily Dickinson’s "Much Madness is divinest Sense –" is not merely a statement; it’s a challenge. The opening line immediately establishes the central paradox: madness and sense are presented as inextricably linked, even interchangeable. The word "Much" suggests an abundance, not a mere hint, of madness. This is not fleeting eccentricity but a pervasive state potentially possessed by those possessing "divinest Sense." The dash following the first line creates a pause, emphasizing the weight of this assertion, forcing the reader to contemplate its implications before continuing.

The second line, "To a discerning Eye –," introduces the crucial element of perspective. The "discerning Eye" represents those capable of recognizing true genius, those who see beyond superficial societal judgments. It suggests an elite few who possess the understanding and empathy to recognize the brilliance hidden within apparent madness. This discerning eye is not limited to the observer; it could also be a self-aware perspective, possessed by the individual who understands their own unconventional thinking. The final dash again hangs the line in the air, leaving the reader pondering the qualifications of this "discerning Eye" and the implications of its absence.

II. The Societal Context of "Much Madness is divinest Sense"

Dickinson wrote during a time of rigid societal norms and expectations. Nonconformity, particularly among women, was often met with suspicion and ostracism. Her own life, marked by seclusion and unconventional behavior, aligns with the poem's theme. The poem can be interpreted as a commentary on the societal pressures to conform, where those who deviate from established norms are labeled as mad, while their innovative ideas are dismissed. This reflects a broader historical context of suppressing dissenting voices and unconventional thought, where those who challenge the status quo are often marginalized or silenced.

III. Interpretations and Critical Perspectives

Scholars have offered a variety of interpretations of "Much Madness is divinest Sense." Some view it as a commentary on the societal persecution of genius. Others emphasize the subjective nature of sanity and madness, highlighting the power of individual perception in defining these states. The poem also invites a psychoanalytic reading, suggesting the potential for unconscious desires and unconventional thought to be labeled as madness by a society unwilling to confront its own limitations. Still others focus on the religious undertones, connecting the "divinest Sense" with a spiritual insight that transcends conventional understanding. This multiplicity of interpretations is a testament to Dickinson's poetic skill in creating a text rich in ambiguity and open to multiple readings.


IV. Enduring Relevance in the Modern World

Despite being written over a century ago, "Much Madness is divinest Sense" remains strikingly relevant today. We still live in a world where unconventional thinkers and creative individuals often face skepticism and resistance. The poem serves as a reminder that what one society deems madness, another might view as genius. This applies not just to artistic expression, but also to scientific discovery, social activism, and any form of innovative thought that challenges the established order. The poem encourages us to question societal norms and to develop a discerning eye, capable of recognizing the brilliance hidden within the unconventional.


V. Conclusion: Embracing the Paradox

Emily Dickinson's "Much Madness is divinest Sense" is a timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers due to its potent ambiguity and enduring relevance. By challenging the boundaries between sanity and madness, the poem invites us to question societal norms, value individual perspectives, and embrace the power of unconventional thinking. It is a call to develop a discerning eye, capable of recognizing the genius that may often be masked by the label of madness. The poem's enduring power lies in its ability to provoke critical thought and challenge us to rethink our understanding of both madness and genius.


Article Outline:

Title: Unraveling Emily Dickinson's "Much Madness is divinest Sense"

Introduction: Hook, overview of the article's content.
Chapter 1: Line-by-line analysis of the poem.
Chapter 2: Societal context of the poem's creation (19th-century America).
Chapter 3: Exploring diverse critical interpretations of the poem.
Chapter 4: The poem's relevance in the modern context.
Conclusion: Summary and final thoughts on the poem's enduring significance.


(The above sections have been extensively covered in the main body of the article above.)


FAQs:

1. What is the central paradox in Emily Dickinson's poem? The poem's central paradox is the equation of "Much Madness" with "divinest Sense," suggesting that true genius is often mistaken for madness.

2. Who is the "discerning Eye" in the poem? The "discerning Eye" refers to those who possess the insight and understanding to recognize genius, even when it is disguised as madness. It can be both an external observer and an internal, self-aware perspective.

3. What was the societal context surrounding the poem's creation? Dickinson wrote during a time of rigid social norms, where nonconformity, especially for women, was often met with disapproval.

4. How does the poem relate to the modern world? The poem remains relevant today because society continues to suppress unconventional thinkers and creative individuals, echoing the historical persecution of genius.

5. What are some of the critical interpretations of the poem? Interpretations range from the societal persecution of genius, the subjective nature of sanity and madness, to psychoanalytic and religious perspectives.

6. What makes the poem so enduringly powerful? Its enduring power lies in its ambiguity, allowing for multiple interpretations and its continuous relevance to the ongoing conflict between conformity and individual expression.

7. What is the significance of the dashes in the poem? The dashes create pauses, emphasizing the weight of the assertions and forcing the reader to contemplate the poem's meaning more deeply.

8. How does the poem challenge societal norms? By equating madness with genius, the poem challenges the established norms that often stifle creativity and unconventional thought.

9. What is the ultimate message of the poem? The poem ultimately encourages us to develop a "discerning eye" and to appreciate the brilliance often mistaken for madness.


Related Articles:

1. Emily Dickinson's Use of Paradox: An exploration of Dickinson's masterful use of paradox in her poetry, providing examples beyond "Much Madness."

2. The Role of Women in 19th-Century American Literature: Contextualizing Dickinson's work within the limitations and challenges faced by women writers of her time.

3. Madness and Genius in Literature: A comparative analysis of how madness and genius are portrayed in various literary works, with a focus on Dickinson's poem.

4. Interpreting Emily Dickinson's Poetic Language: A deep dive into the unique stylistic choices Dickinson employed in her poetry, including her use of dashes and unconventional syntax.

5. The Reception of Emily Dickinson's Work: An examination of how Dickinson's work was initially received and how her reputation has evolved over time.

6. Emily Dickinson's Religious Beliefs and Their Influence on Her Poetry: An investigation into Dickinson's spiritual life and its impact on her poetic themes and imagery.

7. Comparing Emily Dickinson to Other American Transcendentalist Poets: A study comparing Dickinson’s style and themes with those of other notable poets of the era.

8. The Legacy of Emily Dickinson: A look at Dickinson's lasting impact on literature and how her work continues to inspire writers and readers today.

9. Emily Dickinson's Use of Nature Imagery in Her Poetry: An analysis of how Dickinson used nature as a vehicle for expressing profound philosophical and emotional ideas in her work.


  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: Poems by Emily Dickinson Emily Dickinson, 1890
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: A Study Guide for Emily Dickinson's "Much Madness is Divinest Sense" Gale, Cengage Learning, 2016 A Study Guide for Emily Dickinson's Much Madness is Divinest Sense, excerpted from Gale's acclaimed Poetry for Students. This concise study guide includes plot summary; character analysis; author biography; study questions; historical context; suggestions for further reading; and much more. For any literature project, trust Poetry for Students for all of your research needs.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: A Study Guide for Emily Dickinson's "Much Madness is Divinest Sense" Cengage Learning Gale, 2017-07-25 A Study Guide for Emily Dickinson's Much Madness is Divinest Sense, excerpted from Gale's acclaimed Poetry for Students. This concise study guide includes plot summary; character analysis; author biography; study questions; historical context; suggestions for further reading; and much more. For any literature project, trust Poetry for Students for all of your research needs.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: The Slanted Life of Emily Dickinson Rosanna Bruno, 2017-03-07 Emily Dickinson said: “Tell all the truth, but tell it slant.” Artist Rosanna Bruno does just as the poet asked in a series of several dozen witty, hand-drawn cartoons inspired by what we know--and don’t know--about Dickinson’s life and work. The Slanted Life of Emily Dickinson explores--often hilariously, and always respectfully--the myth surrounding the reclusive poet using her own words to skew, or slant, a story that is already somewhat fuzzy in detail. Beginning with a line or two from Dickinson’s poems or letters, Rosanna Bruno presents an image of a real or imagined event. For example, she imagines Dickinson’s Facebook page (“Relationship Status: It’s Complicated”), her OkCupid dating profile (“I am small, like the wren; and my hair is bold, like the chestnut burr…”), her senior yearbook page (“Girl Most Likely to Talk to Birds”), and several other hilarious scenes and fictional artifacts. The result is a wickedly funny portrait of one of the most beloved (and mythologized) poets in the American canon.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: A Loaded Gun Jerome Charyn, 2016-02-22 PEN/ Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award for Biography Longlist O, The Oprah Magazine “Best Books of Summer” selection “Magnetic nonfiction.” —O, The Oprah Magazine “Remarkable insight . . . [a] unique meditation/investigation. . . . Jerome Charyn the unpredictable, elusive, and enigmatic is a natural match for Emily Dickinson, the quintessence of these.” —Joyce Carol Oates, author of Wild Nights! and The Lost Landscape We think we know Emily Dickinson: the Belle of Amherst, virginal, reclusive, and possibly mad. But in A Loaded Gun, Jerome Charyn introduces us to a different Emily Dickinson: the fierce, brilliant, and sexually charged poet who wrote: My Life had stood—a Loaded Gun— … Though I than He— may longer live He longer must—than I— For I have but the power to kill, Without—the power to die— Through interviews with contemporary scholars, close readings of Dickinson’s correspondence and handwritten manuscripts, and a suggestive, newly discovered photograph that is purported to show Dickinson with her lover, Charyn’s literary sleuthing reveals the great poet in ways that have only been hinted at previously: as a woman who was deeply philosophical, intensely engaged with the world, attracted to members of both sexes, and able to write poetry that disturbs and delights us today. Jerome Charyn is the author of, most recently, Bitter Bronx: Thirteen Stories, I Am Abraham: A Novel of Lincoln and the Civil War, and The Secret Life of Emily Dickinson: A Novel. He lives in New York.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: POETRY FOR STUDENTS CENGAGE LEARNING. GALE, 2016
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: My Life Had Stood a Loaded Gun Emily Dickinson, 2016-03-03 'It's coming - the postponeless Creature' Electrifying poems of isolation, beauty, death and eternity from a reclusive genius and one of America's greatest writers. One of 46 new books in the bestselling Little Black Classics series, to celebrate the first ever Penguin Classic in 1946. Each book gives readers a taste of the Classics' huge range and diversity, with works from around the world and across the centuries - including fables, decadence, heartbreak, tall tales, satire, ghosts, battles and elephants.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: Much Madness is Divinest Sense Kathleen J. Greider, 2007 Greider believes that those who produce accounts of their struggle with madness or mental illness--whether in themselves or someone they love--assert that there is sometimes divinest sense in madness, and that divinest sense is something of ultimate value.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: White Heat Brenda Wineapple, 2009-12-01 White Heat is the first book to portray the remarkable relationship between America's most beloved poet and the fiery abolitionist who first brought her work to the public. As the Civil War raged, an unlikely friendship was born between the reclusive poet Emily Dickinson and Thomas Wentworth Higginson, a literary figure who ran guns to Kansas and commanded the first Union regiment of black soldiers. When Dickinson sent Higginson four of her poems he realized he had encountered a wholly original genius; their intense correspondence continued for the next quarter century. In White Heat Brenda Wineapple tells an extraordinary story about poetry, politics, and love, one that sheds new light on her subjects and on the roiling America they shared.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: I Just Hope It's Lethal Liz Rosenberg, 2005 The teenage years are filled with sadness, madness, joy, and all the messy stuff in between. This collection includes poems by Charles Bukowski, Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton, T.S. Eliot, Edgar Allen Poe, W.B. Yeats, Dorothy Parker, and many more, including teenage writers.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: Critical Companion to Emily Dickinson Sharon Leiter, 2007 Critical Companion to Emily Dickinson is an encyclopedic guide to the life and works of Emily Dickinson, one of the most famous and widely studied American poets of the 19th century.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: The Secret Life of Emily Dickinson: A Novel Jerome Charyn, 2011-02-14 In this brilliant and hilarious jailbreak of a novel, Charyn channels the genius poet and her great leaps of the imagination. —Donna Seaman, Booklist (starred review) Jerome Charyn, one of the most important writers in American literature (Michael Chabon), continues his exploration of American history through fiction with The Secret Life of Emily Dickinson, hailed by prize-winning literary historian Brenda Wineapple as a breathtaking high-wire act of ventriloquism. Channeling the devilish rhythms and ghosts of a seemingly buried literary past, Charyn removes the mysterious veils that have long enshrouded Dickinson, revealing her passions, inner turmoil, and powerful sexuality. The novel, daringly written in first person, begins in the snow. It's 1848, and Emily is a student at Mount Holyoke, with its mournful headmistress and strict, strict rules. Inspired by her letters and poetry, Charyn goes on to capture the occasionally comic, always fevered, ultimately tragic story of her life-from defiant Holyoke seminarian to dying recluse.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: Visiting Emily Sheila Coghill, Thom Tammaro, 2000 Anthology of work by eighty poets explores the life and influence of Emily Dickinson. Poems written in traditional and experimental forms. Includes the following poets: Archibald MacLeish, John Berry man, Yvor Winters, Adrienne Rich, Richard Eberhart, Richard Wilbur, Maxine Kumin, Amy Clampitt, William Stafford, and Galway Kinnell.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: Love Poems and Others Emily Dickinson, 2013-08
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: Hope Is the Thing with Feathers Emily Dickinson, 2019-02-12 Part of a new collection of literary voices from Gibbs Smith, written by, and for, extraordinary women—to encourage, challenge, and inspire. One of American’s most distinctive poets, Emily Dickinson scorned the conventions of her day in her approach to writing, religion, and society. Hope Is the Thing with Feathers is a collection from her vast archive of poetry to inspire the writers, creatives, and leaders of today. Continue your journey in the Women’s Voices series with Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte and The Feminist Papers by Mary Wollstonecraft.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: I'm Nobody! Who Are You? Emily Dickinson, Edric S. Mesmer, 2002 A collection of the author's greatest poetry--from the wistful to the unsettling, the wonders of nature to the foibles of human nature--is an ideal introduction for first-time readers. Original.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: There Is No Frigate Like a Book Emiy Dickinson, Ngj Schlieve, 2017-11-30 Poetry by American Poet Emily Dickinson. This book contains 3 poems, the first and second poems are about the power of words and books and the final poem is about the journey of raindrops.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: Poems Emily Dickinson, 1995 The more than one hundred poems presented here are some of Dickinson's finest works. Unlike other editions of her work, the poems reprinted here are reconstructions based on original manuscripts. -- Shambala Publications.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: The Belle of Amherst William Luce, 2016-05-13 THE STORY: In her Amherst, Massachusetts home, the reclusive nineteenth-century poet Emily Dickinson recollects her past through her work, her diaries and letters, and a few encounters with significant people in her life. William Luce’s classic play shows us both the pain and the joy of Dickinson’s secluded life.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: Bloom's How to Write about Emily Dickinson Anna Priddy, 2009 Offers advice on writing essays about the works of Emily Dickinson and lists sample topics for twenty of her poems.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: The Complete Poems Emily Dickinson, 2024-10-15 Immerse yourself in the profound and evocative world of poetry with The Complete Poems by Emily Dickinson. This definitive collection showcases the remarkable talent of one of America's most beloved poets, offering a window into her unique perspective on life, love, nature, and the human experience. What makes Dickinson's poetry timeless and universally resonant? Known for her innovative use of form, unconventional punctuation, and striking imagery, Dickinson’s verses explore the complexities of existence with both depth and brevity. Her ability to convey profound emotions in a few words captivates readers, inviting them to reflect on their own lives and beliefs. How does she capture the essence of both joy and sorrow? From themes of death and immortality to the beauty of nature and the intricacies of the human heart, Dickinson's poetry offers a rich tapestry of thought-provoking insights. Each poem stands as a testament to her keen observation and deep introspection, making her work resonate with readers of all ages. Are you ready to journey through the mind of a literary genius? Whether you're a longtime admirer or a newcomer to her work, The Complete Poems is an essential addition to any literary collection. Experience the magic of Dickinson's words and discover why she remains an enduring figure in American literature. Don't miss the opportunity to explore the complete collection of Emily Dickinson's poetry. Get your copy today!
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: Reading and Interpreting the Works of Emily Dickinson Audrey Borus, 2015-12-15 Emily Dickinson’s words may be well known to students, but they may know very little of her quiet solitary life. This text positions her work within the political climate in which she lived, the culture and expectations for an educated young woman of the day, and discusses what it meant to be a poet during the American Civil War. Through critical analysis of her themes, language, and style and direct quotations from Dickinson’s many correspondences, readers will learn how to think about and understand the works of Emily Dickinson.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: Critical and Creative Thinking Robert DiYanni, 2015-11-16 Critical and Creative Thinking: A Guide for Teachers reveals ways to develop a capacity to think both critically and creatively in practical and productive ways. Explains why critical and creative thinking complement each other with clear examples Provides a practical toolkit of cognitive techniques for generating and evaluating ideas using both creative and critical thinking Enriches the discussion of creative and critical intersections with brief “inter-chapters” based on the thinking habits of Leonardo da Vinci Offers an overview of current trends in critical and creative thinking, with applications across a spectrum of disciplines
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: World Literature' 2003 Ed. L. Bascara, 2003
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: The Selected Poems of Emily Dickinson Emily Dickinson, 2022-04-12 Share in Dickinson’s admiration of language, nature, and life and death, with The Selected Poems of Emily Dickinson.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: Stevens and the Interpersonal Mark Halliday, 2014-07-14 With Wallace Stevens emerging as a father figure for American poetry of the late twentieth century, Mark Halliday argues that it is time for this poet of ideas to undergo an ethical critique. In this bold, accessible reconsideration of Stevens' work, he insists on the importance of interpersonal relations in any account of human life in the modern world. Although Stevens outwardly denies aspects of life that center on such relations as those between friends, lovers, family members, and political constituents, Halliday uncovers in his poetry an anxious awareness of the importance of these relations. Here we see the difficulties Stevens made for himself in wanting to offer a thoroughly satisfying version of secular spiritual health in the modern world without facing up to the moral and psychological implications of his own interpersonal needs, problems, and responsibilities. The final chapter reveals, however, an unusually encouraging avuncular attitude toward the reader of the poetry, which may be felt to redeem Stevens from the alienation observed earlier. Halliday develops his views by way of comparisons between Stevens and other poets, especially Thomas Hardy, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, and John Ashbery. Originally published in 1991. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: Much Madness: A Survivor's Guide to Self-Advocacy and Extreme States for Young Adults Kaz DeWolfe, Calvin Rey Moen, 2019-09-26 A collection of personal stories from eight individuals who experienced psychosis or other extreme states as adolescents or young adults. Our contributors shared what helped them navigate their extreme states, as well as what supports were unhelpful or harmful. Several of our contributors mentioned the need to find meaning behind our extreme states. The psychiatric system often tells us that our states are symptoms of illness. But many of us have needed answers beyond mere pathology. Our contributors found that meaning through various channels: poetry, film making, activism, academia, and friendship. Much Madness also contains a list of resources that can be helpful to young people experiencing psychosis or extreme states. This book was made possible by a grant from the Vermont Department of Mental Health from a portion of its Mental Health Block Grant set aside for an Early Episode Psychosis Initiative. Large print text.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: Emily Dickinson: Selected Poems and Letters Emily Dickinson, 2023-02-21 This compact edition, designed for use in undergraduate courses, combines a substantial selection of Dickinson’s poems (including one complete fascicle) with a selection of letters and a range of contextual materials. In a number of cases several different versions of a poem are presented side by side. The texts are based on the handwritten manuscripts themselves, in the facsimile form in which the Emily Dickinson Archive now makes the vast majority of Dickinson’s manuscript versions available to the general public. The three major editions that are based directly on the manuscripts—those of Thomas H. Johnson (1955), R.W. Franklin (1998) and Cristanne Miller (2016)—have also been consulted; in many cases where the transcriptions of these editors differ from one another, this edition provides information in the notes as to those differences. Extensive explanatory footnotes are also provided, as is a concise but wide-ranging introduction to Dickinson and her work. The appendices include excerpts from numerous nineteenth-century reviews of Dickinson’s first published volume (including by William Dean Howells and Andrew Lang). Thomas Wentworth Higginson’s influential Atlantic Monthly article, “Emily Dickinson’s Letters,” is also included in its entirety.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: The Literatures of the World' 2003 Ed. , 2003
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: Emily Dickinson Ann Beebe, 2022-03-04 The public is familiar with the Emily Dickinson stereotype--an eccentric spinster in a white dress flitting about her father's house, hiding from visitors. But these associations are misguided and should be dismantled. This work aims to remove some of the distorted myths about Dickinson in order to clear a path to her poetry. The entries and short essays should open avenues of debate and individual critical analysis. This companion gives both instructors and readers multiple avenues for study. The entries and charts are intended to prompt ideas for classroom discussion and syllabus planning. Whether the reader is first encountering Dickinson's poems or returning to them, this book aims to inspire interpretative opportunities. The entries and charts make connections between Dickinson poems, ponder the significance of literary, artistic, historical, political or social contexts, and question the interpretations offered by others as they enter the never-ending debates between Dickinson scholars.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: Poems by Emily Dickinson Emily Dickinson, 1893
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: The Long Journey Home Margaret Robison, 2011-05-17 First introduced to the world in her sons’ now-classic memoirs—Augusten Burroughs’s Running with Scissors and John Elder Robison’s Look Me in the Eye—Margaret Robison now tells her own haunting and lyrical story. A poet and teacher by profession, Robison describes her Southern Gothic childhood, her marriage to a handsome, brilliant man who became a split-personality alcoholic and abusive husband, the challenges she faced raising two children while having psychotic breakdowns of her own, and her struggle to regain her sanity. Robison grew up in southern Georgia, where the façade of 1950s propriety masked all sorts of demons, including alcoholism, misogyny, repressed homosexuality, and suicide. She met her husband, John Robison, in college, and together they moved up north, where John embarked upon a successful academic career and Margaret brought up the children and worked on her art and poetry. Yet her husband’s alcoholism and her collapse into psychosis, and the eventual disintegration of their marriage, took a tremendous toll on their family: Her older son, John Elder, moved out of the house when he was a teenager, and her younger son, Chris (who later renamed himself Augusten), never completed high school. When Margaret met Dr. Rodolph Turcotte, the therapist who was treating her husband, she felt understood for the first time and quickly fell under his idiosyncratic and, eventually, harmful influence. Robison writes movingly and honestly about her mental illness, her shortcomings as a parent, her difficult marriage, her traumatic relationship with Dr. Turcotte, and her two now-famous children, Augusten Burroughs and John Elder Robison, who have each written bestselling memoirs about their family. She also writes inspiringly about her hard-earned journey to sanity and clarity. An astonishing and enduring story, The Long Journey Home is a remarkable and ultimately uplifting account of a complicated, afflicted twentieth-century family.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: These Fevered Days: Ten Pivotal Moments in the Making of Emily Dickinson Martha Ackmann, 2020-02-25 A New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice, this engaging, insightful portrayal of Emily Dickinson sheds new light on one of American literature’s most enigmatic figures. On August 3, 1845, young Emily Dickinson declared, “All things are ready” and with this resolute statement, her life as a poet began. Despite spending her days almost entirely “at home” (the occupation listed on her death certificate), Dickinson’s interior world was extraordinary. She loved passionately, was hesitant about publication, embraced seclusion, and created 1,789 poems that she tucked into a dresser drawer. In These Fevered Days, Martha Ackmann unravels the mysteries of Dickinson’s life through ten decisive episodes that distill her evolution as a poet. Ackmann follows Dickinson through her religious crisis while a student at Mount Holyoke, which prefigured her lifelong ambivalence toward organized religion and her deep, private spirituality. We see the poet through her exhilarating frenzy of composition, through which we come to understand her fiercely self-critical eye and her relationship with sister-in-law and first reader, Susan Dickinson. Contrary to her reputation as a recluse, Dickinson makes the startling decision to ask a famous editor for advice, writes anguished letters to an unidentified “Master,” and keeps up a lifelong friendship with writer Helen Hunt Jackson. At the peak of her literary productivity, she is seized with despair in confronting possible blindness. Utilizing thousands of archival letters and poems as well as never-before-seen photos, These Fevered Days constructs a remarkable map of Emily Dickinson’s inner life. Together, these ten days provide new insights into her wildly original poetry and render an “enjoyable and absorbing” (Scott Bradfield, Washington Post) portrait of American literature’s most enigmatic figure.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: The International Reception of Emily Dickinson Domhnall Mitchell, Maria Stuart, 2009-07-09 The first truly international collection of essays on Dickinson covering her reception in Europe, South America, Israel and Japan.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: The New Economic Sociology Frank Dobbin, 2021-04-13 Economic sociology is a rapidly expanding field, applying sociology's core insight--that individuals behave according to scripts that are tied to social roles--to economic behavior. It places homo economicus (that tried-and-true fictive actor who is completely rational, acts only out of self-interest, and has perfect information) in context. In this way, it places a construct into a framework that more closely approximates the world in which we live. But, as an academic field, economic sociology has lost focus. The New Economic Sociology remedies this. The book comprises twenty of the most representative and widely read articles in the field's history--its classics--and organizes them according to four themes at the heart of sociology: institutions, networks, power, and cognition. Dobbin's substantial and engagingly written introduction (including his rich comparison of Yanomamo chest-beaters and Wall Street bond-traders) sets a clear framework for what follows. Gathering force throughout is Dobbin's argument that economic practices emerge through distinctly social processes, in which social networks and power resources play roles in the social construction of certain behaviors as rational or optimal. Not only does Dobbin provide a consummate introduction to the field and its history to students approaching the subject for the first time, but he also establishes a schema for interpreting the field based on an understanding of what economic sociology aims to achieve.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: A Course in Mysticism and Miracles Jon Mundy, 2018-03-01 In this book, Jon Mundy explores the tenets of mysticism and the teachings of A Course in Miracles, a book now regarded as a modern spiritual classic. Mysticism is the core of all true religions, and its teachings offer a way, or a path, to living in harmony with the Divine. The Course offers deep insight into the workings of the mind. When studied together, they provide spiritual awakening, clarity, and understanding. Both informative and inspirational, A Course in Mysticism and Miracles can motivate us to do the work required to develop a contemplative life. Its insights reveal that peace is available to us all.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: East of the Mountains David Guterson, 2012-05-01 When Dr Ben Givens left his Seattle home he never intended to return. It was to be a journey past snow-covered mountains to a place of canyons, sagelands and orchards, where, on the verges of the Columbia River, Ben had entered the world and would now take his leave of it.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: The Routledge Companion to the American Civil War Era Hugh Tulloch, 2006-12-05 Arguably one of the most significant periods in US history, the American Civil War era continues to fascinate. In this essential reference guide to the period, Hugh Tulloch examines the war itself, alongside the political, constitutional, social, economic, literary and religious developments and trends that informed and were formed by the turbulent events that took place during America’s nineteenth century. Key themes examined here are: emancipation and the quest for racial justice abolitionism and debates regarding freedom versus slavery the confederacy and reconstruction civil war military strategy industry and agriculture Presidential elections and party politics cultural and intellectual developments. Including a compendium of information through timelines, chronologies, bibliographies and guides to sources as well, students of American history and the civil war will want a copy of this by their side.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: Strange Wonder Mary-Jane Rubenstein, 2008 Western philosophy's relationship to wonder is deeply ambivalent. On the one hand, wonder is said to be the origin of all philosophy. On the other hand, it is associated with a kind of ignorance that ought to be extinguished. This study argues that by endeavoring to resolve wonder's indeterminacy, philosophy has secured itself at the expense of its own condition of possibility.Strange Wonder locates a reopening of this primordial uncertainty in the work of Martin Heidegger, whose wonder oscillates between a shock at the groundlessness of things and an astonishment that things nevertheless are. Mary-Jane Rubenstein traces this double movement through the thought of Emmanuel Levinas, Jean-Luc Nancy, and Jacques Derrida, tracing wonder as an awesome, awful opening that exposes thought to devastation as well as transformation. Insofar as wonder reveals the extraordinary through the ordinary, Rubenstein argues it is crucial to the task of reimagining political, religious, and ethical possibilities.
  emily dickinson much madness is divinest sense: Dickinson Scholarship Karen Dandurand, 2017-10-23 This bibliography, first published in 1988, is intended to make more readily accessible the wealth of Dickinson criticism and scholarship that appeared from 1969 through 1985. During the 17 years that are covered in this bibliography nearly 800 books, articles and dissertations have appeared. The present work is intended to aid both students and scholars in finding the materials they need in their study of, and research on, Emily Dickinson’s poetry and her life.