Convergence of the Twain
Convergence of the Twain“The Convergence of the Twain”
Personification is “endowing inanimate objects or
abstract ideas with life or human characteristics”
(Kirszner 2058). In the poem “The Convergence of
the Twain” the author’s use of personification
allows the reader to make a more fluid transition
from the past to the present. A poets use of
personification can create visual image or capture
a feeling of empathy.
“Deep from human vanity, / And the Pride of Life
that planned her, stilly couches she” (2-3).
These lines from the beginning of “The Convergence
of the Twain” exemplify the use of personification
to create a visual image and empathy. “[S]tilly
couches she” (3) is used to creates a visual image
of the ship lying at the bottom of the ocean. The
author uses the word “she” (3) giving the ship a
gender and creating an identity. Through this
identity the reader implies that the ship is dead,
provoking a sense of empathy.
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Through the line, “[t]he sea worm crawls-
grotesque, slimed, dumb, indifferent” (9), the
poet explores the use of personification to create
empathy for the ship. This is achieved by using
the words “dumb” (9) and “indifferent” (9). These
are qualities that human possess but sea worms
lack, therefore this is an example of
personification. The sea worm is described as
dumb, implying that he is unaware of the purpose
for the ship’s location at the bottom of the
ocean. Indifferent also suggests that the sea
worm is not concerned with the wealth of the ship.
The reader connects with the ship because of the
sea worm’s apparent disregard for it.
“‘What does this vaingloriousness down here?’…”
(15). This question that is asked by the fish in
the poem is an illustration of personification.
Fish do not speak and by giving the fish this
ability, the poet allows the reader to enter the
poem and begin questioning the reason for the ship
being at the bottom of the ocean.
In “The Convergence of the Twain,” the poet’s use
of personification allows for visual images and
empathy. Diction, syntax, similes, metaphors,
structure, and tone can be used with
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personification to create imagery and empathy.
All of these are equally necess