"The Ruined Maid" is a poem by Thomas Hardy in 1866. The verse tells the story of a conversation between two women, one of whom has become a "ruined" maid or a woman who has turned to prostitution. The poem's speaker, the "ruined" maid, meets her old friend, and the two dialogue.
Throughout the poem, the speaker describes her newfound wealth and luxurious lifestyle, which she has attained through her profession. She is dressed in expensive clothing and jewelry and boasts of her comfortable living conditions. Her old friend is taken aback by her transformation and cannot help but marvel at her changed appearance.
The poem's speaker reflects on her past and how her circumstances have changed. She acknowledges that she has lost her innocence and purity but sees her current lifestyle as a form of success. The poem highlights the social and economic pressures often driving women to turn to prostitution for survival.
