The Ruined MaidThe Ruined Maid

By Thomas HardyBy Thomas Hardy

A sample presentation by Mrs. Takemoto for Senior English Students

Thomas HardyThomas Hardy Victorian era poet (1840-1928)Victorian era poet (1840-1928) Born in EnglandBorn in England Married, Emma, who preceded him in Married, Emma, who preceded him in

death despite his ill health, remarrieddeath despite his ill health, remarried No childrenNo children Earned Gold medal from Royal Soc. Of Earned Gold medal from Royal Soc. Of

LiteratureLiterature Writes about the ironies in Victorian Writes about the ironies in Victorian

Morality and pain in the human Morality and pain in the human experienceexperience

Literary Techniques in The Literary Techniques in The Ruined MaidRuined Maid

Irony – The woman who is “ruined” Irony – The woman who is “ruined” by prostitution is living the better by prostitution is living the better life.life.

Nice clothesNice clothes Freedom to be in townFreedom to be in town Better diction/vocabularyBetter diction/vocabulary Smoother skinSmoother skin Feathers and gownFeathers and gown

Literary Techniques (Cont.)Literary Techniques (Cont.)

Poem utilizes “dialogue” to uncover Poem utilizes “dialogue” to uncover its meaningits meaning– ““Ruined” maid – Melia – is being spoken Ruined” maid – Melia – is being spoken

to by the “raw country girl” who remains to by the “raw country girl” who remains unnamed throughout the poemunnamed throughout the poem

Pun – play on words – in the name Pun – play on words – in the name “’Melia” which could be associated “’Melia” which could be associated with the word “ameliorate” which with the word “ameliorate” which means to improve or make bettermeans to improve or make better

Rhyme SchemeRhyme Scheme

The poet has used the following The poet has used the following rhyme scheme: aabb, ccdd, etc.rhyme scheme: aabb, ccdd, etc.

– Shown by the words (crown and town; Shown by the words (crown and town; prosperi – tee and she; socks and docks, prosperi – tee and she; socks and docks, etc.)etc.)

Assonance & AlliterationAssonance & Alliteration

Use of related vowels sounds within Use of related vowels sounds within lines:lines:– Spudding up; thik oon, theas oon, and Spudding up; thik oon, theas oon, and

t’othert’other

Use of same initial consonants in the Use of same initial consonants in the words:words:– Shoes/socks; Blue/bleak; Shoes/socks; Blue/bleak;

bracelets/brightbracelets/bright

ThemeTheme The poet exposes the hypocrisy in The poet exposes the hypocrisy in

Victorian society as shown in the Victorian society as shown in the following information:following information:– Morality – the “ruined” maid has chosen Morality – the “ruined” maid has chosen

an equality difficult but unacceptable an equality difficult but unacceptable occupation making her “unmarriageable” occupation making her “unmarriageable” in Victorian societyin Victorian society

– Social Position – although “ruined” in Social Position – although “ruined” in society, the prostitute enjoys less physical society, the prostitute enjoys less physical labor and many materialistic benefits as labor and many materialistic benefits as wellwell

Maya AngelouMaya Angelou

Her Poem “Still I Rise” contains a Her Poem “Still I Rise” contains a similar sentiment written about similar sentiment written about oppression but which also pertains to oppression but which also pertains to women:women:

Does my sexiness upset you?Does my sexiness upset you?Does it come as a surpriseDoes it come as a surpriseThat I dance like I've got diamondsThat I dance like I've got diamondsAt the meeting of my thighs?At the meeting of my thighs?

BibliographyBibliography

http://www.online-literature.com/harhttp://www.online-literature.com/hardy/dy/

Various Googled images (Hardy, Various Googled images (Hardy, Maid)Maid)

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/inhttp://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081003055044AAhsqTEdex?qid=20081003055044AAhsqTE

www.animoto.comwww.animoto.com