In Thomas Hardy's poem "The Ruined Maid", there is a conversation between two women who were once maids together. One has gone off to do her own thing and become a "ruined" maid. There is a general sense that the woman who was still a normal maid (a country girl) had some jealousy towards O'Melia, the fallen woman. As a reader, Hardy lets you decide to what extent the country girl would go to become a ruined woman, just like her old friend, O'Melia.
The context of the poem seems to have envy from the country girl to O'Melia. Right at the beginning of the poem you can see that she is curious where she got her clothes and wealth. O'Melia goes on to state that she had been ruined.
In each stanza, the country girl starts off by stating how hard things were for O'Melia and how she seems to be better off now.
"You left us in tatters, without shoes or socks, (5)
Tired of digging potatoes, and spudding up docks; (6)
"Your hands were like paws then, your face blue and bleak (13)
"You used to call home-life a hag-ridden dream (17)
And you'd sigh, and you'd sock; (18)
At the end of each stanza, the ruined maid finishes it off by stating that that is how it is when you are a fallen woman.
"Yes, that's how we dress when we're ruined," said she. (8)
"Some polish is gained with one's ruin," said she. (12)
"We never do work when we're ruined," said she. (16)
"True. One's pretty lively when ruined," said she. (20)
The country girl at the end of the poem states that she wishes she had the life the ruined maid so she "could strut about Town!" (22). But for what reason? Why would someone want to become a prostitute? (this is what it means to be ruined)
Hardy seems to be showing the reader that there are advantages to being paid for sex. You get more food, better clothing, a place to stay, you just get treated better in all aspects. He isn't saying that this is the right thing to do, he is simply being honest on what prostitution gets a woman of this time. Non-sex related work, such as rural country work, is a lot harder for women to do. It is tough on them and destroys their bodies. The work is also dangerous because of the illnesses that spread and there were virtually no cure for them.
In Thomas Hardy's "The Ruined Maid", he gives the reader the idea that O'Melia "escapes" these rural hardships and has a better life now because of it. He shows the reasons behind women being driven to prostitution. Heck, it was easy. Being paid for sex instead of doing hard work was probably a better option for many woman. But the country girl isn't exactly jealous of being a prostitute. The con's of prostitution is that you are literally selling your body. She's jealous that O'Melia has freedom from doing all the strenuous jobs that she is stuck doing and all of the pleasures she receives. The pro's that O'Melia has in doing this seems to outweigh the con's. Prostitution was a reality, as well as a smart economic choice which Hardy brings to light.
I felt like Hardy was playing a kind of "tug-of-war" with the life of a ruined woman. Yes she does get better comforts in life and doesn't have to deal with the hardships of field labor, but at what price does she ay to get the kind of life she wished to live? It is one big con that you mentioned of the life O'Melia lives; she'll always be under the title of Prostitute. She has more freedom, but it also seems like she has more limitations.
ReplyDeleteI'm also beginning to think Hardy wasn't really shedding light to prostitution, the silly farm girl was just envious of the outer appearance O'Melia portrays, but I don't think (and I think this is what Hardy was trying to emphasize- that's a big maybe though) that the girl got what O'Melia had to do. The conversation between the two women seems sad, to me.
But you're right, sometimes the pro's outweigh the con's.
GREAT comment, Gabby.
DeleteIt is fascinating that one of the differences that Hardy illuminates (if not explicates) is that of tone. The country girl is very literal (and innocent); Melia is ironic (and world weary). Think about the statement "we never do work when we're ruined." Her labor might appear leisurely compare to that of a farm laborer, but there are very few women who would actually prefer her work. Although the farm girl does not seem to understand her irony (which Gabby gets at with her comment), I think Hardy assumes his readers will be more aware of the reality of her situation.
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