- The Convergence of the Twain
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The Convergence of the Twain (Lines on the loss of the "Titanic") is a poem by Thomas Hardy, published in 1915. The poem describes the sinking of the ocean liner Titanic on April 15, 1912. Convergence consists of eleven stanzas (I through XI) of three lines each, following the AAA rhyme pattern.
One interpretation holds that Hardy's controversial poem contrasts the materialism and hubris of mankind with the integrity and beauty of nature. This is said to be done in an almost satirical manner given the absence of any compassion, or even reference, towards the loss of life that accompanied the ship's sinking.
The convergence of the Twain is also a poem by Simon Armitage very much mimicking the style of Hardy. Armitage's version describes the events of 9/11 and also consists of 11 stanzas.
Unlike the poem from which it takes its inspiration, Armitage's Convergence of the Twain puts more emphasis on the human tragedy and loss of life as well as also including the disaster's portrayal in the media.
External links
Works by Thomas Hardy Novels The Poor Man and the Lady (1867) · Desperate Remedies (1871) · Under the Greenwood Tree (1872) · A Pair of Blue Eyes (1873) · Far from the Madding Crowd (1874) · The Hand of Ethelberta (1876) · The Return of the Native (1878) · The Trumpet-Major (1880) · A Laodicean (1881) · Two on a Tower (1882) · The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886) · The Woodlanders (1887) · Tess of the d'Urbervilles (1891) · Jude the Obscure (1895) · The Well-Beloved (1897)
Short story collections Wessex Tales (1888) · A Group of Noble Dames (1891) · Life's Little Ironies (1894) · A Changed Man and Other Tales (1913)
Poetry collections Wessex Poems and Other Verses (1898) · Poems of the Past and Present (1901) · Time's Laughingstocks (1909) · Satires of Circumstance (1914) · Moments of Vision (1917) · Late Lyrics and Earlier with Many Other Verses (1922) · Human Shows, Far Phantasies, Songs and Trifles (1925) · Winter Words in Various Moods and Metres (1928)
Individual poems "The Photograph" (1890) · "The Convergence of the Twain" (1915) "The Darkling Thrush" (1901)
Plays The Dynasts (1904–1908)Categories:- 1915 poems
- Poetry by Thomas Hardy
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