Though Deep Indifference should Drowse

Name: Though Deep Indifference should Drowse
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson

The poem explores themes of enduring love and emotional resilience amidst indifference and external distractions. The speaker acknowledges a sense of apathy and detachment from the world, symbolized by the imagery of snow-showers and sluggishness. Despite this, the presence of a beloved remains a powerful influence, suggesting that true affection transcends superficial experiences and temporal separations. The speaker reflects on the inevitability of change, recognizing that while other relationships may come and go, the core of their love remains untouched. The metaphor of thin ice represents the fragility of external circumstances, yet beneath it lies a deep, unwavering well of love that cannot be frozen or diminished. This love is portrayed as a constant force, unaffected by the passage of time or the arrival of new affections. As years pass, the beloved is likened to a crown adorned with fresh gems, symbolizing the growth and deepening of their bond. Time is personified as a lover, enhancing the beloved's beauty and significance in the speaker's life. The poem concludes with a reaffirmation of the beloved's enduring rule over the speaker's heart, illuminated by the light of cherished memories. Overall, the work encapsulates the idea that true love persists through indifference and change, remaining a central and vital force in the speaker's existence.

By Robert Louis Stevenson · First published 1896 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric · 171 words

First lines

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.

What this Textopian page supports

Though Deep Indifference should Drowse is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Louis Stevenson, dated 1896 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: 1896 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric, Philosophical, Narrative
Length: 171 words
Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Though Deep Indifference should Drowse by Robert Louis Stevenson
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Though Deep Indifference should Drowse?
How does this poem by Robert Louis Stevenson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs poetic devices, focusing on themes of love and memory.
Romanticism — The themes of deep emotional connection and the enduring nature of love align with Romantic ideals.
Lyric — The personal expression of feelings and emotions indicates a lyrical quality.
Philosophical — The exploration of love's permanence versus the transience of life suggests philosophical undertones.