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.
1. : Who is the poet of The Ruined Maid?
(A) William Blake
(B) Robert Browning
(C) Thomas Hardy
(D) Alfred Tennyson
2. : What is the main theme of the poem?
(A) The beauty of nature
(B) The advantages of rural life
(C) The hypocrisy of societal morality and class differences
(D) The power of love and romance
3. : Who are the two speakers in the poem?
(A) Two noblewomen
(B) A rich merchant and a poor farmer
(C) A country girl and a “ruined” woman
(D) A mother and her daughter
4. : What does the term “ruined” imply in the poem?
(A) Financial bankruptcy
(B) Engaging in an immoral lifestyle, likely as a mistress
(C) Physical destruction of property
(D) A loss of family inheritance
5. : How does Amelia, the “ruined” maid, appear compared to her old friend?
(A) Poor and miserable
(B) Wealthy, elegant, and confident
(C) Sick and weak
(D) Angry and resentful
6. : What is ironic about the “ruined” maid’s situation?
(A) She regrets leaving the countryside
(B) She is shunned by society but has a better life than before
(C) She secretly wishes to return to her rural life
(D) She has lost all her wealth and happiness
7. : Which literary device is most evident in the poem?
(A) Metaphor
(B) Irony
(C) Hyperbole
(D) Alliteration
8. : What does Amelia’s transformation suggest about Victorian society?
(A) It rewards women for moral purity above all else
(B) Social mobility is easy for all women
(C) Women who follow traditional morality remain poor and struggling
(D) Wealth and beauty come only from hard work
9. : What is the rhyme scheme of The Ruined Maid?
(A) ABAB
(B) AABB
(C) ABCB
(D) AAAB
10. : What is the overall tone of the poem?
(A) Joyful and romantic
(B) Mocking and ironic
(C) Fearful and tragic
(D) Nostalgic and sorrowful