Thomas Hardy's poem 'The Ruined Maid' delves into the hypocrisy of Victorian society's moral standards and the limited economic opportunities for women. It contrasts the lives of Amelia, a prostitute, with her rural acquaintance, highlighting the material benefits and social downfall of 'fallen' women. The poem's structure, themes, and characterization offer a critique of gender roles and social mobility during the era.
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Amelia's choices reflect the limited economic opportunities for women in the Victorian era
The Effects of Societal Expectations on Women's Choices
Amelia's social "ruin" has afforded her a degree of freedom and material comfort, but at the expense of societal acceptance
Hardy's depiction of Amelia's unapologetic stance highlights the personal sacrifices required for social advancement in Victorian society
Through the dialogue between Amelia and her acquaintance, Hardy exposes the societal irony of a "fallen" woman faring better materially, despite her compromised social position
Hardy questions the societal valuation of a woman's virtue in a context that offers limited economic opportunities for women
Hardy's novels and poetry, including "The Ruined Maid," often courted controversy for their exploration of gender and class disparities, religious influence, and the institution of marriage in Victorian society
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Publication year and collection of 'The Ruined Maid'
Published in 1901, part of 'Poems of the Past and the Present'.
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Structure of 'The Ruined Maid'
Dialogue between two women, Amelia and an unnamed farm worker.
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Satirical elements in 'The Ruined Maid'
Uses irony to expose societal hypocrisy and double standards towards women.
