This poem is written from a man's point of view, on his views on women. Thomas Hardy uses the voice of women who has been ruined. A "maid", a young woman, whom is no longer a maid and working as a prostitute. Melia has no more respect for herself, although she has money. Sometimes, money isn't always the answer to problems. My opinion, women gets treated totally different from men. Women are held to a higher standard than men. If a woman does one thing wrong, society looks at us differently and receive harsher punishment. It can ruin self-esteem, lacks self-confidence, or your reputation. The "Ruined Maid" deal with themes of woman and femininity. In this poem, Thomas Hardy talks about the role of women and in the Victorian period the consequences