Interpretation of Hardy's piece "The Convergence of the Twain"

Hardy's poem "The Convergence of the Twain"

Hardy's poem "The Convergence of the Twain" opens with a metaphor for the Titanic being trapped at the depths of the sea. The mirror and other valuable items are kept at the bottom with all the other pretty things, devaluing them in the process. The Titanic was surrounded by inquisitive fish and sea worms. The poem's author explains how iceberg, the Titanic's partner, was built. These two were apparently connected, albeit not in a good manner, according to the narration. But when they finally clash, it represents how they are once again connected. The sonnet by Hardy is symbolic. The whole story signifies the sexual relationship between a male and a female who were once separated but got reunited later on.

The Convergence of the Twain symbolizes a certain type of sexual relationship

The poem 'The convergence of the Twain' symbolizes a certain type of sexual relationship. The author used the ship and iceberg to represent the sexual relationship between human beings. The manner in which the poem describes the meeting between the iceberg and the ship implies that human sexual union has become rampant. The two "jarred hemispheres" presented in the eleventh stanza of the poem emphasize a particular relationship between two parties. The jarred hemispheres represent a deeper meaning than simply the world's hemispheres. The whole idea about these jarred hemispheres relates to Plato's symposium whose major theme was love. Plato talked of two half spheres which represented human beings. According to the myth, people were originally whole and spherical. Late on, the gods split human beings into two halves as a punishment for their sins. As a result, those individuals who were split into two developed an urge to unite again with the other half. The urge to be united with one's half is driven by love. The poet illustrates the union in the last line of the last stanza which implies that the ship and the iceberg underwent an intimate welding, a symbol for a wedding. The sexual union between human beings is intimate. Individuals tend to feel incomplete before they find their sexual partners. Later on, the bond between the two individuals who are in love become strong just like the way welding of metals happens. The art of welding aims at joining together two metals which had been separated by a breakage. Therefore, the iceberg and the ship represent individuals who were meant to be together but had been separated for some reasons.

The poet's choice of words that make up the title

The poet's choice of words that make up the title emphasizes the sexual relationship. Convergence is a Latin word which means that more than one items come together. The author combined 'convergence' with a Germanic word 'Twain' which is simply an equivalent of the term twins in its plural form. However, the word 'Twain' does not just imply two items but a pair that relates to one another. The title, 'The Convergence of the Twain' therefore implies that a pair of related things with certain affinity reunites. The use of words such as 'intimate welding,' 'sinister,' 'twin halves,' and 'the jarred hemispheres' convey the same meaning; a related pair. The term 'Twain' in the title signifies two things with some special connection reunite. Other scholars such as Ian Ousby assert that the term twain is often used to refer to a pair of lovers. Therefore, two lovers come together again.

The convergence of the ship and iceberg to a wedding consummation

In his work 'The Convergence of the Twain,' Hardy compares the convergence of the ship and iceberg to a wedding consummation. Although this comparison is ironical, it suggests that Hardy intended to mean that the two things with some special affinity represent a man and a woman. There is a high chance that the author was making an allusion to Jesus' teachings on marriage as recorded in St. Mathew gospel. In that teaching, the Pharisees had inquired of the Lord whether a man is allowed to divorce his wife for whatever reason. Then Jesus answered them by explaining the original purpose why a man and a woman was created. According to the biblical teaching, God created a male and female such that the man shall leave his parents and cleave to his wife. Jesus added that the twain (a related pair) should no more be two but one flesh. Jesus concluded by the fact that no one should put asunder whatever God had already joined together. Therefore, the latter assertion implies that only God has the authority to join together or separate. Another biblical allusion is illustrated in the alteration between the lines "This ship of the swiftest wing" and "This creature of the cleaving." The changed the word ship to the creature to imply that he was not simply talking about mere vessels but living things. He used the ship to symbolize the bride. In most of the Christian's wedding ceremonies, the bride's gown always has a veil that looks like a wing. The veil is then put on the groom's shoulder once they are joined together. The author used his title as a foreshadow to a wedding that happens towards the end of the poem.

Hardy must also have eluded his work with the story of man's creation

Hardy must also have eluded his work with the story of man's creation. When created Adam, he was alone. God decided to relieve Adam of the loneliness by creating Eve. God had caused Adam to sleep before he could remove his rib and make him a mate. When Adam woke up, he was very excited to see a woman who was meant just for him. The excitement is expressed in the words that "surely she is my flesh and bone." The same excitement is illustrated between the ship and the iceberg who are lovers. Just like Adam was meant for Eve, the ship and the iceberg were destined to be fatal with each other once they meet. The collision between the ship and the iceberg represents their intimate union. Another implication of this union is that one half is not complete unless they are joined to the other. Plato's theory of human love helps to explain this scenario better. Circle or a sphere is a perfect form. Therefore, two jarred hemispheres mean that they are imperfect. The collision of the ship and the iceberg is, therefore, a reunion twain hemisphere to bring about perfection.

The type of human sexual relationship presented I Hardy's work 'The Convergence of the Twain'

The type of human sexual relationship presented I Hardy's work 'The Convergence of the Twain' has specific features. From the biblical allusion, the relationship between the lovers is driven by some supernatural force. God predestined that relationship from the beginning. A sign of pride or rebellion against the force that brings perfection leads to destruction. Therefore, for the two half hemispheres to be brought together and maintain their perfect state, they must be at peace with the third party who is God. The use of three lines for each stanza symbolizes this trinity; the male, female, and God. When the relationship between humans and God is ruined, a sacrifice has to be made to reconcile them. Otherwise, the union between the man and the woman will be destroyed. Plato asserted the gods split people due to disobedience and pride. God sacrificed His only son to reconcile humankind to himself. Hardy uses the same allusion by having the Titanic sink to save other folks. Hardy's work presents human sexual union as a relationship that may soon come to a tragic end if the parties involved become proud and disobedient. Also, the poem reveals that the convergence of the twain is inevitable.

The relationship between Titanic and the iceberg is compared to Eve and Adam

The relationship between Titanic and the iceberg is compared to Eve and Adam. The main purpose of creating Eve was to get a helpmeet for Adam. Similarly, the author provided the Titanic with a mate. Adam's mate, Eve was his flesh and blood. God took a rib from Adam while he was sleeping and formed Eve. Similarly, if the iceberg is the perfect mate for Titanic, then it becomes the ship's mirrored version. Hardy used Biblical allusion in different aspects to make the reader understand that he was not simply talking about the ship that sank but human beings. Hardy presents the origin of the human sexual relationship and the force behind it. The author also presents the factors that may destroy the union as well the sacrifice which should be made to maintain the relationship. In conclusion, the convergence of the twain is an illustration of human sexual relationship. The author presents two incomplete hemispheres that are inevitable to meet again.