Two Speakers in the Poem "The Ruined Maid"

Paper Summary:

This paper is a brief analysis of Thomas Hardy's poem "The Ruined Maid", which is written using two speakers, which allows the reader to experience two sides of the encounter. Form and themes in the poem are explored as well.

From the Paper:

"In Thomas Hardy's poem, The Ruined Maid, there are two speakers, the first one being a friend of Melia, and the second one being Melia, the ruined maid. The friend notices that Melia's appearance has changed dramatically since she has last seen her, and she comments,
"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!" (ll 5-7). to which Melia replies, "Yes: that's how we dress when we're ruined" (l 8). Her response is dripping with sarcasm. She lost her chastity, and was probably scorned for it, but she doesn't care. She knows that her life is better than when she was "digging up potatoes" and she is content with the choices she made. The friend seems excited by the transformed Melia, and she gushes on with compliments, to which Melia responds nonchalantly."

More papers on Two Speakers in the Poem "The Ruined Maid":

• Poem Review # 103349 : "William Carlos Williams' Poem "The Red Wheelbarrow"
• Analytical Essay # 66174 : "George Herbert's Poem "The Collar"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: