Whether we realize it or not society plays a pertinent role in our lives. What we say and do are usually influenced by the societies in which we live. For centuries we have been destined to think and do what is expected of us by society. Many times we live our lives the way society wants us to. William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily" and Emily Dickinson's "Much Madness is Divinest Sense" demonstrate the defiance of two individuals of society's expectations.
             Emily Dickinson chose to live her life the way she wanted and not the way society aspired. Emily Dickinson demonstrated this throughout her poems, especially in "Much Madness is Divinest Sense." Emily Dickinson didn't socialize with many people in the town in which she lived. Dickinson very carefully selected the people she wanted to socialize with. Among these people were her immediate family, which included her parents, sister, brother and sister-in-law. She didn't follow the norm of the average woman by doing what was expected of her by society. "Much Madness is Divinest Sense" stresses the importance of a discriminating eye in defying societal expectations. In this poem, Ms. Dickinson illustrates that in life, with regards to the society, there are two extremes. You're either in agreement with society, or you're not. "In this, as All, prevail Assent-and you are sane Demur you're straightway dangerous and handled with a Chain." The poet is saying that if you agree with society, you can be accepted as either rational or normal. On the other hand, if you object or withdraw from society, you're considered irrational or crazy.
             Miss Emily in "A Rose for Emily also lived her life regardless of what society thought of her. Miss Emily was rebellious to the societal expectations of the small village in which she lived. Miss Emily, after her father died spent most of her life in the house in which she lived (page 2). Miss Emily too didn't socialize with many people i...