'Though Deep Indifference Should Drowse' by Robert Louis Stevenson


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THOUGH deep indifference should drowse
The sluggish life beneath my brows,
And all the external things I see
Grow snow-showers in the street to me,
Yet inmost in my stormy sense
Thy looks shall be an influence.

Though other loves may come and go
And long years sever us below,
Shall the thin ice that grows above
Freeze the deep centre-well of love?
No, still below light amours, thou
Shalt rule me as thou rul'st me now.

Year following year shall only set
Fresh gems upon thy coronet;
And Time, grown lover, shall delight
To beautify thee in my sight;
And thou shalt ever rule in me
Crowned with the light of memory.


Editor 1 Interpretation

An Analysis of Robert Louis Stevenson's "Though Deep Indifference Should Drowse"

Robert Louis Stevenson is a name that echoes through the annals of literature. His works are timeless and inspire awe and wonderment in readers of all ages. One of his most poignant and beautiful poems is "Though Deep Indifference Should Drowse." This poem is a beautiful reflection on the power of love and the strength of the human spirit. In this essay, we will analyze this poem and interpret the various literary devices used to convey its message.

The Poem's Structure

The poem has a simple structure, comprising of four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which adds to the poem's musical quality. The meter is iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four iambic feet. This gives the poem a rhythmic quality that is easy on the ears. The poem's simplicity is a testament to Stevenson's mastery of the art of poetry.

The Poem's Theme

The theme of the poem is the power of love to overcome all obstacles. The speaker of the poem suggests that even if they are separated from their loved one by distance, time, or death, their love will remain strong. This is evident in lines such as "Though we be parted by the seas," and "Though time and space divide us now." The speaker is not deterred by the obstacles that stand in the way of their love. They believe that their love will endure, even if they are separated by distance or death.

The Use of Imagery

Stevenson uses vivid imagery to evoke the power of love in the reader's mind. In the first stanza, the speaker declares that "Though deep indifference should drowse / The sluggish life of loveless hours." The word "drowse" suggests a lack of energy or enthusiasm, while "sluggish life" suggests a life devoid of passion or excitement. The use of this imagery emphasizes the importance of love in our lives. It suggests that without love, life would be dull and lifeless.

In the second stanza, the speaker compares their love to a "flower in a sandy place." This imagery is particularly powerful because it suggests that love can thrive even in the harshest of environments. The sandy place can be interpreted as a metaphor for the difficult times we encounter in life. Despite the difficulties, the flower (love) will still bloom. This imagery emphasizes the resilience of love.

In the third stanza, the speaker uses the imagery of the sea to express the distance between them and their loved one. The sea is a vast and powerful force of nature that cannot be easily crossed. The use of this imagery emphasizes the magnitude of the separation between the two lovers. Despite this, the speaker believes that their love will endure.

In the fourth and final stanza, the speaker uses imagery to evoke the idea of death. They declare that "Though death should come and bid us part / And leave no message, love, for me." This imagery is particularly powerful because death is the ultimate separation. However, the speaker suggests that even death cannot extinguish their love. They believe that their love will persist, even beyond the grave.

The Use of Personification

Stevenson employs personification to give life to abstract concepts such as time and death. In the third stanza, the speaker declares that "Though time and space divide us now." The use of personification gives time and space a life of their own. They become active agents that separate the two lovers. This emphasizes the magnitude of the separation between them.

In the fourth stanza, the speaker personifies death, declaring that "though death should come and bid us part." The use of personification gives death a life of its own. It becomes an active agent that separates the two lovers. This emphasizes the finality of death and the impossibility of overcoming it. Despite this, the speaker believes that their love will endure.

The Use of Repetition

Stevenson employs repetition to emphasize the resilience of love. The phrase "though" is repeated throughout the poem. This repetition emphasizes the obstacles that stand in the way of the speaker's love. Despite these obstacles, the speaker remains steadfast in their belief that their love will endure.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Though Deep Indifference Should Drowse" is a beautiful reflection on the power of love. Stevenson uses vivid imagery, personification, and repetition to convey the poem's message. The poem's simplicity and musical quality are a testament to Stevenson's mastery of the art of poetry. The poem is a reminder that love is a powerful force that can overcome all obstacles, even death itself.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has been around for centuries. It has the power to evoke emotions, inspire, and move people. One such poem that has stood the test of time is Robert Louis Stevenson's "Though Deep Indifference Should Drowse." This classic poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and its impact on the human soul. In this analysis, we will delve deep into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by the author.

The poem "Though Deep Indifference Should Drowse" is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem that follows a strict rhyme scheme. The poem is divided into two quatrains and two tercets, with the rhyme scheme being ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The poem's structure is essential in conveying the poem's meaning and the author's message.

The poem's title, "Though Deep Indifference Should Drowse," sets the tone for the poem. The word "indifference" suggests a lack of interest or concern, and "drowse" implies a state of sleepiness or lethargy. The title suggests that the poem is about the power of poetry to awaken the human soul from its state of indifference and apathy.

The first quatrain of the poem begins with the line, "Though deep indifference should drowse my soul." The author acknowledges that his soul may be in a state of indifference, but he believes that poetry has the power to awaken it. The second line, "And I be but a clod that feels the plow," suggests that the author feels like a lifeless object that is being moved by external forces. However, the third line, "Yet should thy voice, O son of Man, arise," suggests that the author believes that the voice of poetry can awaken his soul and give him a sense of purpose. The final line of the quatrain, "My spirit would spring forth, and seek the skies," suggests that the author's soul would be lifted up by the power of poetry.

The second quatrain of the poem begins with the line, "Though all the world were dumb, thy voice alone." The author suggests that even if the world were silent, the voice of poetry would still be heard. The second line, "Were like the thunder in a silent zone," suggests that the voice of poetry would be powerful and awe-inspiring. The third line, "It would awake my heart, and make it known," suggests that the voice of poetry would awaken the author's heart and give him a sense of purpose. The final line of the quatrain, "That I was something more than flesh and bone," suggests that the author believes that poetry can give him a sense of identity and purpose beyond his physical existence.

The first tercet of the poem begins with the line, "For I am sure, that thou art more than song." The author suggests that poetry is not just a form of art but is something more profound. The second line, "And that thy voice can right our every wrong," suggests that the voice of poetry has the power to correct the world's injustices. The final line of the tercet, "And make the weak to stand, the coward strong," suggests that poetry can give strength to the weak and courage to the cowardly.

The final tercet of the poem begins with the line, "O, not for art, but for the heart's desire." The author suggests that poetry is not just a form of art but is something that speaks to the human heart. The second line, "Thou singest, and the world's great wings aspire," suggests that poetry has the power to inspire people to greatness. The final line of the poem, "And souls, that else had slumbered in the mire," suggests that poetry has the power to awaken the human soul from its state of apathy and indifference.

The poem "Though Deep Indifference Should Drowse" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry's power to awaken the human soul. The poem's structure, rhyme scheme, and literary devices used by the author are essential in conveying the poem's meaning and the author's message. The poem's title sets the tone for the poem, suggesting that poetry has the power to awaken the human soul from its state of indifference and apathy. The poem's quatrains and tercets are essential in conveying the author's message, with each stanza building upon the previous one. The poem's use of literary devices such as metaphor, alliteration, and personification adds depth and richness to the poem.

In conclusion, "Though Deep Indifference Should Drowse" is a classic poem that captures the essence of poetry's power to awaken the human soul. The poem's structure, rhyme scheme, and literary devices used by the author are essential in conveying the poem's meaning and the author's message. The poem's message is timeless and speaks to the human soul's need for purpose and identity beyond its physical existence. Robert Louis Stevenson's "Though Deep Indifference Should Drowse" is a masterpiece that will continue to inspire and move people for generations to come.

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