Transformation
A significant theme in the poem is the idea of transformation. The narrator and the ruined maid have undergone substantial transformations but in very different ways. The ruined maid has transformed herself from a working-class girl to a woman of wealth and status, while the narrator has remained true to her roots but still experiences envy and longing for a different life. This theme is highlighted in lines such as "I have heard of your years well-nigh spent, / But now you are rich, I suppose, in hope and content." Here, the narrator acknowledges her friend's transformation and hints at her dissatisfaction with her current situation.
The theme of transformation is also evident in the imagery used in the poem. The narrator describes her friend's physical appearance in great detail, from her delicate cheek to her bright waist ribbon. This imagery emphasizes that the ruined maid has transformed not just in terms of her social status but also in her physical appearance and demeanor.
In addition, the use of dialogue in the poem also highlights the theme of transformation. The conversation between the narrator and the ruined maid is an exchange between two friends who have undergone significant changes in their lives. The ruined maid's responses to the narrator's comments reveal her confidence and self-assurance, further emphasizing her transformation.
Gender roles
Another theme that is explored in the poem is gender roles. The narrator and her friend are both women, and the poem highlights the societal expectations placed on them. The narrator is depicted as virtuous and hardworking, while her friend is depicted as "ruined" and having fallen from grace. This reflects the patriarchal norms of the time, which placed a higher value on chaste and obedient women.
However, there is also irony in the portrayal of the ruined maid, as she is the one who has been able to break free from the constraints of society and attain wealth and status.
Social class
The theme of social class is evident throughout the poem. The narrator is envious of her friend's newfound wealth and status but also feels a sense of superiority because she has not "ruined" herself to attain it. This is highlighted in lines like "You left us in tatters, without shoes or socks, / Tired of digging potatoes, and spudding up docks." Here, the narrator portrays her friend as having abandoned her working-class roots in pursuit of wealth while she has remained true to her humble beginnings.