"The Ruined Maid" is a poem by Thomas Hardy in 1866 that tells the story of a conversation between two women, one of whom has become a "ruined" maid or a prostitute. The poem highlights the economic and social pressures often driving women to turn to prostitution for survival.
The poem is significant for critiquing Victorian society's attitudes toward women and sexuality. The speaker, the "ruined" maid, describes her luxurious lifestyle and expensive clothing, which she has attained through her profession. The poem challenges traditional notions of femininity and virtue and the societal expectations of women to conform to these ideals.
The language and structure of the poem contribute to its impact. The use of dialect and colloquial language, as well as the humorous tone, adds to the irony of the situation and underscores the societal hypocrisy surrounding women's sexuality. The poem also employs a question-and-answer format, with the two women engaging in a dialogue that reveals their different perspectives on femininity and sexuality.
In sum, "The Ruined Maid" is a powerful critique of Victorian society's attitudes towards women and sexuality. The poem sheds light on the complex realities of prostitution and the economic pressures that drive women to it. It raises crucial questions about societal norms and values and the consequences of adhering to them.
