"The Ruined Maid” by Thomas Hardy We always look up to people who seem to have “perfect life.” In my opinion, Thomas Hardy, with “The Ruined Maid,” tries to emphasize that we should not judge one’s feelings by his or her appearance and behavior. Far more, sometimes one’s behavior can contradicts his or her behavior. The poem starts with descriptive words about a young lady’s social and financial status, “everything crown” and “fair garments.” There is also a rich use of metaphors and the similar structure in each stanza to emphasize a point of what was in the past “at home in the barton you said,” “Your hands were like paws t