The Ruined Maid MCQs and Summary

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman | Last updated: June 10, 2025

Summary: Thomas Hardy’s The Ruined Maid is a satirical poem that explores Victorian attitudes toward morality, class, and social status. The poem is written as a dialogue between two women who meet in town. One of them, Amelia, has become “ruined,” implying that she has engaged in a morally questionable lifestyle, likely as a mistress or prostitute. Despite her “ruined” status, she appears well-dressed, financially comfortable, and confident, contrasting with her old rural friend, who remains poor and struggles to survive. The poem critiques the hypocrisy of society, where “ruin” is condemned but also leads to material success. Hardy uses irony and contrast to highlight the rigid and unjust moral standards of the time.
The Ruined Maid
The Ruined Maid
10 Score: 0 Attempted: 0/10 Subscribe
1. : Who is the poet of The Ruined Maid?





2. : What is the main theme of the poem?





3. : Who are the two speakers in the poem?





4. : What does the term “ruined” imply in the poem?





5. : How does Amelia, the “ruined” maid, appear compared to her old friend?





6. : What is ironic about the “ruined” maid’s situation?





7. : Which literary device is most evident in the poem?





8. : What does Amelia’s transformation suggest about Victorian society?





9. : What is the rhyme scheme of The Ruined Maid?





10. : What is the overall tone of the poem?





 
Question Answer
Poem Name The Ruined Maid
Poet Thomas Hardy
Year Published 1866
Poem Type Satirical dramatic dialogue
Verse Form Six quatrains with AABB rhyme scheme
Main Subject A conversation about morality, class, and social hypocrisy
Themes Morality vs. material success, hypocrisy, class differences
Tone Ironic, mocking, satirical
Poetic Devices Used Irony, contrast, dialogue, repetition
Symbolism Amelia’s fine clothing symbolizes the material benefits of “ruin”
Historical Context Critique of Victorian society’s rigid moral expectations for women
Main Message Society condemns “ruin” but rewards it with material comfort

Related Posts:

All Copyrights Reserved 2025 Reserved by T4Tutorials