The Ruined Maid

[1][2] Thomas Hardy's "The Ruined Maid" is a poem about a woman who loses her purity or virginity during the Victorian Era, which is looked down upon.

To depict this, Hardy uses two voices: For the ruined maid he uses proper English, and for the other person he uses a working-class dialect.

— "You left us in tatters, without shoes or socks, Tired of digging potatoes, and spudding up docks; And now you've gay bracelets and bright feathers three!"

— "Your hands were like paws then, your face blue and bleak But now I'm bewitched by your delicate cheek, And your little gloves fit as on any la-dy!"

[3] The poem depicts a young country girl who has become a rich man's mistress to escape her own poverty, and does not seem to regret her decision.

Her position is contrasted with that of her old friend who is still a respectable but poor country farm worker, and who seems to envy Amelia.

[5] The ruined maid acts as an archetype and also an image that relates to social realities which are important during the Victorian Era.

[5] Since "The Ruined Maid" is about two women reuniting after a long time in a strange part of town, their dialogue includes discussion of the past in order for the reader to understand the present.

[12] An "opera skit" by Seymour Barab called The Ruined Maid, based on Hardy's poem, was premiered in 1981.

[13] The poem was set to music by Judith Lang Zaimont as one of her Two Songs for Soprano and Harp.