Concetti Chiave
- "The Ruined Maid" is a dialogue highlighting the contrast between a prostitute and a country girl.
- The country girl is surprised by Melia's dramatic transformation and compliments her improved appearance and speech.
- The poem uses the character of the country girl to depict ignorance of the negative consequences of being "ruined."
- The term "ruined" serves as a euphemism for prostitution, reflecting societal corruption and deception.
- Hardy employs strong language to convey the harsh realities faced by women seduced and abandoned by society.
THOMAS HARDY
The ruined Maid: It is a dialogue between a prostitute and a country girl.
The Way of speaking of country girls is different: The country girl notices that Melia’s appearance has changed dramatically since she has last seen her.
She thinks that Melia has improved in all; she looks better, she speaks better. She seems excited by the transformed Melia and she makes her a lot of compliments. The country girl represents the ignorance to be ruined isn’t a good thing, it isn’t a good expectation.
• She was poor but she was onest: Ballad Structure: there is a chrorus
Fallen women: seduced and abandoned by a corrupted society. She was deceived. The riches and the strong people win always. She wanted to change life and forget everything. The autor uses a very srtong language. Now she has no way out.