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Comment 10 of 10, added on April 20th, 2008 at 9:40 AM.
Although Amelias comments may be percieved as bragging I think that her tone in the poem is not really one of pride and triumph, but more cold and withdrawn and she is simply replying to the other girls questions, as if she is no longer the same happy person she was before she was ruined.
hasan friggle from Oman
Comment 9 of 10, added on May 22nd, 2006 at 8:11 AM.
ummm this is a wicked poemmmmm...
im doing an assingment on it at the moment and i have fallen in love with it.
everytime i read it i undertand it more.
i dont get sick of it.
but umm does someone wanna do my assigment for me?
thanks :]
jade from Australia
Comment 8 of 10, added on April 19th, 2006 at 4:44 AM.
This poem has long been a favorite of mine. In playful verse, Hardy manages to make a life of sin seem more attractive than one of virtue. By contrasting Audrey and her grubby country life of drudgery with that of Amelia, the fallen woman with fine clothes and leisure, he suggests that virtue is its own reward. Audrey's parting comment about wishing she could enjoy such a life is countered by Amelia pointing out that she cannot unless she is also ruined. One wonders if Audrey follows in her friends footsteps. Incidently, Elsa Lanchester recorded this poem as a song on her Bawdy Cockney Songs album, some decades ago. It is a delightful ditty.
Taliaferro Mikel Longbrake from United States
Comment 7 of 10, added on April 8th, 2006 at 9:25 AM.
Understanding Melia's attitude may differ from a reader to another. However, she seemed to be arrogant for she had no shame in expressing her situation as "ruined". This expression was ironic, for her properous look was contrasted to the fact of the inner damage she caused to herself through prostitution. Yet, it indicates that 'All is not gold that glitters'
Afraa Bali from Saudi Arabia
Comment 6 of 10, added on December 12th, 2005 at 7:20 PM.
It's really interesting! It's like a story written in the form of poetry and it contributes very good lesson. One's ruined won't be able to turn back the time. WHat cAn she saY tHen? JUST telling her friend that she is already ruined. Although the appearance is excellent, it can't renew her. To be ruined is miserable.
Via from Indonesia
Comment 5 of 10, added on November 27th, 2005 at 5:23 PM.
"Aye, we learn to be ironic when we're ruined" says she
mary macbeath from United Kingdom
Comment 4 of 10, added on June 13th, 2005 at 3:01 AM.
this poem makes me feel special i feel so in love and so happy when i read this poem it put a smile on my face
derdrie from United Kingdom
Comment 3 of 10, added on March 30th, 2005 at 12:57 PM.
LIke this beautiful poem, i also feel as though i am in love, in love with a man who knows me so well...THis poem is great for any occasion i really enjoy it through and through
Erek Kucher from United States
Comment 2 of 10, added on March 30th, 2005 at 12:36 PM.
how how beautiful, like a lark singing within the confines of a winteress day apon a patch of snow...its words have life beyond belief. I feel as though poetry especially this type really makes me motivated to enjoy all of lifes crevices and turns..hehhe
Erek Kucher from United States
Comment 1 of 10, added on January 31st, 2005 at 6:21 PM.
In ‘The Ruined Maid’, which Hardy wrote in 1866, Hardy focuses on one woman's recent loss of chastity and how she is perceived by a once close friend who is returning to town. This ‘Maid’ has found herself marring above her status and prostituting herself for riches and prosperity. Rather than feeling ashamed of her actions, she expresses a sense of pride in her self and confidence in her sex, much like a suffragettes attitude of the time. In the last line of each stanza, she points out how she is ruined; however, the tone of her various declarations is triumphant. For example, at the end of the third stanza she states, ‘A polish is gained with one's ruin'. This indicates that this ruined woman feels a sense of liberation and independence mirroring events in the late 19th century for women. After Hardy portrayed the idea of the fallen woman in this manner through his poetry, he proceeded to explore this idea within his novels as well.
Will Eves from United Kingdom
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Although Amelias comments may be percieved as bragging I think that her tone in the poem is not really one of pride and triumph, but more cold and withdrawn and she is simply replying to the other girls questions, as if she is no longer the same happy person she was before she was ruined.
hasan friggle from Oman