Final answer:
Being 'ruined' to Frieda likely means experiencing a loss of self-respect, independence, and facing a dependent life filled with potential poverty. This is demonstrated in various literary examples where characters deal with the collapse of their identity, values, or societal standing.
Step-by-step explanation:
To understand what being "ruined" means to Frieda, we can infer from the context provided that it refers to a state of loss and despair. Frieda's perception of ruin likely encapsulates the loss of self-respect, independence, and the burden of a life of dependence and potential poverty.
This concept of ruin is articulated in literature as characters experience a downfall or the loss of what once was valuable to their personal dignity or social standing, resulting in a diminished sense of self-worth.
Through the various excerpts given, we see characters grappling with the impacts of their actions or circumstances on their lives and welfare. Being ruined can mean facing the end of one's happiness, as in the case of Helmer who feels that his pride and joy in his spouse is shattered upon learning of her deceit.
For another character, like the one in the barber chair, being ruined might represent a physical transformation that metaphorically cuts away at their identity, leaving them mediocre in their own eyes. The feeling of ruin can also emerge from the loss of purpose or usefulness due to reliance on others, as seen in the given reference that discusses living on the bounty of friends.
The ultimate sense of being ruined involves the characters feeling stripped of control, autonomy, and respect, forcing them into a life they see as lesser than before. This is a common theme in literature and speaks to the fragile nature of personal identity and societal roles.