The Ruined Maid Thomas Hardy
AO3
1866
Women rejected by society - unkind to women
Structure
Anapestic Trimeter
6 Quatranes
AO2
"O'Melia" Farmworker, doesn't have a name, £ caused the prostitute to gain status - broken away from society
"Crown" Power, Royalty
"-" Prostitute interrupted by maid - maid is more superior than prostitue
"O didn't you know i'd been ruined?" Gossip, scandal, someone responsible for her being ruined, putting blame onto someone else - reputation ruined - fallen women
"Said she" Hardy's voice, Hardy saying a;; women are strong they turned their life around and ignored society's judgments
"Digging potatoes" Society, poverty, hardships
"Bright feathers" Enjoys feeling prosperous/wealth
"That's how we dress when we're ruined" Inclusive, all women
"Thik oon" Country accent, colloquial
"High compa-ny!" Changed speech
"Your hand were like paws the, your face blue and bleak" Glove can be put on anyone, facade, not herself, anyone can be a lady if spoiled
"Ruined" In eyes of society, repetition
About women who runs into an old friend who's now a prostitute
Poem about prostitutes
1800s - 20% of teens forced into prostitution
Paradox - 'ruined'
Maid longed for marriage - innocence
Critic poem of Victorian sexuality
The ruined maid is enjoying a more prosperous life as a result of her ruin - nicer clothes, speaks better
Questions just what exactly it means for a woman to be ruined.
Dialogue between ruined women and un-ruined women
Ruined back then = no chances of getting married
Victorian period
Regular rhyme scheme