The ruined maid - AO3 context
Thomas Hardy:
Often considered a victorian realist, examining the social constraints of those living in Victorian England.
Hardy was heavily influenced by his rural upbringing where he saw and experienced the kind of suffering seen in ‘the ruined maid’.
Hardy became passionate about denouncing sexual hypocrisy and misogyny.
Hardy passionately opposed victorian constraints in his work, criticising social victorian norms for demonising women.
Victorian era and advances in Technology:
England experienced great change under Queen Victoria, advances in technology resulted in large amounts of wealth which mostly benefited the middle class.
Victorian period was extremely strict in terms of permitted sexual relations.
Moral panic over prostitution was at height in 1850s and 60s - female prostitutes enjoyed economic and personal freedom.
New market economy favoured industrial development and discouraged agriculture, resulting in large number of farmers and peasants losing their livelihood and moving to the cities for employment.
Social and political context:
In this satirical poem, a romantic liaison is seen as an opportunity for social or economic opportunity. Presumably extramarital affair, as implied in the poem is how Amelia gains wealth or disposable income through her affair.
Much of victorian poetry had a moral purpose, intending to oppose and object to unfair social and political systems in England.
Suppression of women in victorian society - this can be seen in the ruined maid as it reflects on the role of women in society and especially on their reliance on other men.
Double standard throughout the victorian era with women unable to express sexuality outside the confines of marriage whereas men could do as they please.
Many women forced into prostitution in order to gain economic freedom and likely to be rejected from society.
It is understandable how amelia would want to become the mistress of a wealthy man as this would appear desirable to a working class rural woman however there always is the prospect that he may cast her aside.
It was also a time when traditional Victorian values and norms were being challenged and questioned.