The ruined maid - AO3 context

Thomas Hardy

Often considered a Victorian realist, examining social constraints in Victorian England.

'The Ruined Maid'

___________________ reflects the suffering Hardy witnessed in his rural upbringing.

Sexual Hypocrisy

Hardy's passionate denouncement of _________ _________ and misogyny.

Victorian Constraints

Hardy criticized social norms for demonizing women.

Victorian Era

Period of great change under Queen Victoria, with technological advances benefiting the middle class.

Moral Panic

Heightened concern over prostitution in the 1850s and 60s.

New Market Economy

Shift towards industrial development led to farmers and peasants losing livelihoods.

Romantic Liaison

Depicted as an opportunities for social or economic gain.

Victorian Poetry

Often had a moral purpose opposing unfair social and political systems.

Suppression of Women

Reflected in 'The Ruined Maid' and the societal roles of women.

Double Standard

Women were restricted in expressing sexuality compared to men in the Victorian era.

Prostitution

Some women turned to this for economic freedom but faced rejection from society.

Challenging Victorian Values

Period marked by questioning traditional norms and values.