Learning objectives:
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Pre-reading activity
1. What do you think ruined maid might imply or mean? Think about
when the word maid might have been used.
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2. Use a dictionary and write down the definition of the word ameliorate?
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Predictions
Based solely on these six quotations from the poem, what are your ideas
and impressions? What do you think the poem is going to be about? Think,
again, about the title of the poem. What does the tone of the poem seem to
be?
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Women:
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On the pedestal:
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Hypocrisy and double standards:
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Prostitution:
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Off Limits:
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Enlightened View:
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Redeemibility (focus on Dickens and the fallen woman):
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Infection and Violence:
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Character B.
Character A appears to praise and be
ways.
Character B is embarrassed to have
life.
praise.
Character A is embarrassed by the
and dismissive.
Character B feels sorry for herself.
Character B feels sorry for Character A.
Character B misses his / her old life and
Character Bs success.
First impressions
Read the poem. What are your first impressions? Make a note of your
ideas.
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Translator
- "docks" (second stanza, line 6) are weeds
- "barton" (third stanza, line 9) is a farmyard
- "megrims" (fifth stanza, line 19) are migraines.
Poetry detective
How has Melia changed? Work in pairs to make a note of examples from
the poem in the table below.
Changes in:
appearance
attitude and
personality
daily life
What is the
general view of
prostitution?
Gay
referred to
prostitution
A prostitute
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Stanzas 3-4
1. Why is it ironic that Amelia is fit for high company?
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2. What is the reaction of the old friend?
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3. Why do you think Hardy has decided to use the Dorset dialect? What
is the effect?
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Stanzas 5-6
1. Look carefully at what Melias friend says in the final stanza. What is
satirical about her dialogue?
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2. Considering that Amelia has become more sophisticated in the eyes
of her friend, why do you think Amelia slips back into her Dorset dialect
when she says: You aint ruined,. Do you think there was a reason for
this?
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3. Overall, what is the serious point or the message of the poem?
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4. At the end of each stanza, Melia always has the last line. Each time,
the last line ends with the refrain: ruined, said she. She answers
in an almost a matter-of-fact tone. Why is that ironic?
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5. Why do you think Hardy decided to use the name Amelia? Look back
at the definition of ameliorate and determine what Hardys message
could have been.
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Chatterbox
THINK
What is your overall impression of the poem?
Do you think Hardy is a feminist? Do you think that Hardy really feels
that the young maids life is ruined?
Is the new maids life better than her old life?
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PAIR
Take 3 minutes to discuss your opinions with your partner and justify your
ideas. Add any further issues you have uncovered.
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SHARE
Feed back your ideas to your teacher and the rest of the class.
Theme tree
In groups of three, draw a theme tree to capture all your ideas.
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meaning
imagery
tone
Structur
e and
Form
language
Comparing poems
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Use the Venn diagram to find the differences and similarities between
the two poems.
Planning an essay
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Using MITSL as a guide, create an essay plan or spider diagram for your
essay question. You must include 3 - 5 points of comparison. Number each
point in the order you would write about them in your exam. When you write
your essay, remember to analyse structural and poetic devices for their
effect and meaning. Dont just list.
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I wish I had feathers, a fine sweeping gown,
And a delicate face, and could strut about Town!
My dear a raw country girl, such as you be,
Cannot quite expect that. You aint ruined, said she.
Thomas Hardy
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