Convergence of the Twain

In “The Convergence of the Twain” by Thomas Hardy, he gives his view on the sinking of the Titanic. He thinks that people often have too much pride and do not believe that bad things can happen. Hardy expresses this thought through imagery, diction, and alliteration.

Hardy uses imagery throughout the poem to convey his attitude toward the sinking of the ship. In Verse 3, he says “Over the mirrors meant To glass the opulent The sea-worm crawls -- grotesque, slimed, dumb, indifferent.” The image of the mirrors suggests that the people had a view that wasn’t reality. They were so overconfident that ship was not going to sink, but this was not reality. The sea-worms crawling create a disturbing image, suggesting that the event itself was disturbing. The use of imagery helps the reader to visualize and get a better understanding of the events that happen in the poem and the author’s view of them.

Also, the author uses diction to represent his thoughts on this event. An example of this is when he says “Steel chambers, late the pyres Of her salamandrine fires, Cold currents thrid, and turn to rhythmic tidal lyres.” The use of the words “pyres” and “fires” suggest that the poem isn’t going to be very pleasant. He thinks that the pride of the builders of the Titanic caused a negative outcome. Hardy implies that the overconfidence of mankind is tragic and led to this tragic event. The ship brought on a lot of pride and vanity.

Alliteration is used, as well, in this poem. Hardy uses it in the following excerpt: “Jewels in joy designed To ravish the sensuous mind Lie lightless, all their sparkles bleared and black and blind.” The alliteration of “bleared”, “black”, and “blind” is effective in describing the jewels are no longer shining. The jewels represent the material things that people thought were worth everything. They thought that the material things brought them happiness, and they took them for granted. Now the things are gone, at the bottom of the ocean. The...