The Convergence of the Twain

Doomstruck and Serene

You probably already noticed in "The Convergence of the Twain" that Thomas Hardy was a bit preoccupied with ideas involving opposite universal forces. Some critics called his work a blend of the "doomstruck man" and the "serene inhabitant of the natural world." We definitely see a lot of that going on in this poem, so it makes sense that the guy would be known for having such a knack for working with opposites.

He's also very lyrical in his poetry, which we also hear in those rhythmic "tidal lyres" and predictable end rhymes. So, although he's sometimes considered a modern poet, Hardy still used a lot of older conventions but did so in a new way by using sound as a tool to keep things fresh for us.

Check out these Hardy gems for a better idea: "A Broken Appointment," "During Wind and Rain," and "Rain on a Grave."