The Convergence of the Twain

by Thomas Hardy

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What in the poem might lead us to conclude that the poem has an exceptionally grim way of understanding the fate of human beings?

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In "The Convergence of the Twain," by Thomas Hardy, the Titanic's ultimate destination is first described:  the ship is at the bottom of the sea, where the jewels and the mirrors are scarcely noticed by the passing fish.  The "Pride of Man" lies in ruins.  Despite all of man's technology and art, the Titanic could not withstand the tremendous force of the slow-moving iceberg.  Man is presented as being prideful, "vain-glorious," but ultimately fallible and weak.  The ultimate craft of man,

the smart ship [that] grew

In stature, grace, and hue

was brought low by the "Ice" that was "fat and dissociate."

For all our pride, our intelligence, our confidence, and our vanity, we cannot outstrip fate or the forces of nature.  We cannot escape calamity or death.

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