The Convergence of the Twain Fate Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Line)

Quote #1

The Immanent Will that stirs and urges everything (18)

The word "immanent" means within something, so the speaker is telling us here that there's something inside of us, and all things, that urges and stirs us to action. We might not be able to hear it or understand it, but it "stirs" us nonetheless. Think about when you feel "stirred" to do something but you don't know why. Maybe we're talking about a sixth sense here.

Quote #2

        Prepared a sinister mate
        For her — so gaily great —
A Shape of Ice, for the time far and dissociate. (19-21)

The Titanic has its very own sinister mate that fate has provided for her. But neither the iceberg nor the boat knows of the other, so we definitely feel a sense of mystery here. In this case, the mystery of course has a tragic ending, which makes it all the more mysterious and difficult to understand.

Quote #3

        Or sign that they were bent
        By paths coincident
On being anon twin halves of one august event, (28-30)

Fate knows what's up with these two twin halves that are destined for "one august event"—in other words, one happenin' showdown. To the halves though, it all seems like coincidence since it's impossible for any "mortal eye" to fully see what's about to happen. And when we think about it, isn't history made up of similarly "august" events involving fate or something like it?