My Conscience!

Name: My Conscience!
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson

The poem explores the torment of an individual's conscience, presenting it as a relentless and painful presence that haunts the speaker. The speaker reflects on various fears and troubles of life, such as loss, poverty, and the chaos of existence, but emphasizes that none compare to the anguish caused by their own conscience. As the day ends and the speaker retreats to solitude, the weight of their conscience becomes unbearable, intensifying the emotional turmoil. The speaker recalls moments of distraction and indulgence throughout the day, questioning the absence of their conscience during those times of pleasure and distraction. This highlights a sense of betrayal, as the conscience seems to only emerge when the speaker is alone and vulnerable. The poem further illustrates the conscience as a force that distorts reality, complicating the good and the bad, and amplifying guilt and regret. The speaker likens the conscience to a nagging spouse, always present to remind them of their misdeeds and failures. In the final stanzas, the imagery of a blind dog, indifferent to the chaos around it, serves as a metaphor for the conscience's passive yet persistent nature. The dog represents the conscience that waits for the right moment to pounce, exacerbating the speaker's feelings of guilt and despair. Overall, the work delves into the complex relationship between the self and the conscience, portraying it as an inescapable and often tormenting aspect of human existence.

By Robert Louis Stevenson · First published 1881 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical Literature, Literary Fiction · 387 words

First lines

OF a' the ills that flesh can fear, The loss o' frien's, the lack o' gear, A yowlin' tyke, a glandered mear, A lassie's nonsense- There's just ae thing I cannae bear, An' that's my conscience.

Whan day (an' a' excüse) has gane, An' wark is düne, and duty's plain, An' to my chalmer a' my lane I creep apairt, My conscience! hoo the yammerin' pain Stends to my heart!

What this Textopian page supports

My Conscience! is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Louis Stevenson, dated 1881 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Poem
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
Date: 1881 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Philosophical Literature, Literary Fiction, Satire, Narrative Poetry
Length: 387 words
Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

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Genres

Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhythm and rhyme, characteristic of poetry.
Philosophical Literature — The themes explore the nature of conscience, morality, and the human condition.
Literary Fiction — The narrative delves into complex emotional and psychological states, typical of literary fiction.
Satire — The poem critiques human behavior and societal norms through its exploration of conscience.