Thomas Harding Discussion

Thomas Hardy’s “The Ruined Maid” & “Ah, Are you Digging On My Grave?”Now, think about what Hardy is saying about this time period in history? What is he saying about the position of women in this time period? What is he saying about life and how does he play upon our fears of being forgotten? Why are they important and are they significant today? Part one: It seems that Hardy is illustrating two alternatives for a working class country girl, one is the ‘virtuous’ life of destitution where absolute poverty makes for an animal existence; the other materially more comfortable life as a prostitute and being rejected by society. Is either life truly possible? What do you think he is saying about poor women position in society in the 18th century? What significance does this poem hold today in society? Or does it? part two: What fears is the writer playing upon in this poem? is he successful ? How is this poem so true to life? What makes it timeless?