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Gone with the Wind

Analysis of Gone with the Wind

Gone with the Wind is a sweeping historical romance novel by Margaret Mitchell, first published in 1936. It is set in the American South during the time of the Civil War and the Reconstruction era that followed. The story centers on Scarlett O’Hara, a determined young woman who faces personal loss, war, and the changing way of life in the South.

The book became an instant success and is now considered one of the most famous American novels. It mixes history with a deeply emotional story. It captures the spirit of survival, pride, love, and loss. The title itself suggests something precious that is gone forever—like the old Southern way of life.

Theme

The story has many themes, but the main ones are:

  1. Survival – The novel focuses on the will to survive even when life changes completely. Scarlett never gives up. She is ready to fight for her family and her home no matter the cost.
  2. Love and Desire – The book explores romantic passion, heartbreak, and the difference between true love and selfish longing. Scarlett’s obsession with Ashley Wilkes blinds her to the love Rhett Butler has for her.
  3. Loss of a Way of Life – The story paints a picture of a Southern society built on traditions, plantations, and slavery. The Civil War destroys it.
  4. Pride and Honor – Many characters live by strict codes of honor, like loyalty to family or defending one’s name, even when it leads to tragedy.
  5. War and Change – The Civil War is not just a background event; it transforms people, communities, and values.

Tone

The tone moves between romantic, dramatic, and tragic. At times it feels passionate and full of life when Scarlett is scheming or in love. At other times, it feels heavy and full of sorrow when war takes lives and homes. There is also a sharp, realistic tone when describing survival and human selfishness.

Mood

The mood changes with the story’s events. In the beginning, the mood feels charming and lively with parties, dances, and gossip. During the war, the mood becomes tense and fearful. After the war, the mood is grim and desperate as people try to rebuild their lives. Yet, there is also a mood of stubborn hope when Scarlett refuses to give up.

Setting or Background

The story is set mainly in Georgia, USA, during the years 1861 to 1873. The main locations are:

  • Tara – Scarlett’s family plantation, a symbol of the old South and the thing she fights hardest to keep.
  • Atlanta – The growing city where much of the action takes place, especially during the war.
  • War Camps and Battlefields – While not the main focus, the war’s destruction is always close.

The backdrop includes the Civil War, the burning of Atlanta, the fall of the Confederate South, and the struggles of Reconstruction. This setting shapes every character’s life and decisions.

Style and Structure

The style is rich and descriptive. Margaret Mitchell writes in a way that makes you see, hear, and feel the world she creates. The descriptions of plantations, gowns, battle scenes, and emotions are vivid.

The structure is linear, moving from Scarlett’s teenage years through the war and beyond. The book is long and detailed, with over a thousand pages in most editions. It blends romance, war drama, and historical fiction.

Dialogue is important. Characters speak in a way that matches their personalities—Scarlett’s quick and clever words, Rhett’s smooth teasing, and Melanie’s gentle kindness.

Characters

  1. Scarlett O’Hara – The main character. A beautiful, headstrong young woman who loves attention and is used to getting her way. She is selfish at times, but she is also incredibly strong and resourceful. She changes from a spoiled girl into a determined survivor.
  2. Rhett Butler – A charming and cynical man who sees through the lies of society. He admires Scarlett’s toughness but struggles with her obsession for Ashley. He is bold, wealthy, and often unpredictable.
  3. Ashley Wilkes – A gentleman who represents the old Southern values. Scarlett loves him for years, but he does not love her in the same way.
  4. Melanie Hamilton Wilkes – Ashley’s wife. She is gentle, loyal, and kind-hearted, yet also quietly strong. Scarlett underestimates her goodness for much of the story.
  5. Gerald O’Hara – Scarlett’s father, an Irish immigrant who built Tara. He loves the land deeply.
  6. Ellen O’Hara – Scarlett’s mother, a calm and graceful woman who teaches manners and duty.
  7. Mammy – Scarlett’s nurse and servant. She is wise, stubborn, and deeply loyal to the O’Hara family.
  8. Prissy – A young servant girl whose behavior often frustrates Scarlett.

Detailed Summary

The story begins in Georgia in 1861. Scarlett O’Hara lives at Tara, her family’s plantation. She is beautiful, flirtatious, and knows how to charm men. She is secretly in love with Ashley Wilkes, who is engaged to Melanie Hamilton.

When Scarlett learns about Ashley’s engagement, she tries to win him over but fails. In a moment of pride, she marries Charles Hamilton, Melanie’s brother. Soon after, the Civil War begins, and Charles dies in the army, leaving Scarlett a widow.

Scarlett moves to Atlanta to stay with Melanie and Aunt Pittypat. Atlanta is full of soldiers and excitement, but the war soon brings hardship. She meets Rhett Butler, a man who does not care about social rules and openly flirts with her.

As the war worsens, Atlanta comes under threat. Melanie gives birth while the city burns, and Scarlett drives a wagon through chaos to return to Tara. She finds Tara in ruins—her mother has died, her father is mentally broken, and the land is stripped of food.

Scarlett swears she will never go hungry again. She works the fields, cheats when needed, and even kills a Union soldier who tries to rob her. She becomes hardened by survival.

When taxes threaten to take Tara, Scarlett tricks Frank Kennedy, her sister’s fiancé, into marrying her. She uses his money to save the plantation. She also runs a sawmill, ignoring the gossip about a woman in business.

Rhett continues to pursue Scarlett, but she still dreams of Ashley. When Frank dies, Rhett marries Scarlett, making her rich again. Their marriage is full of passion but also arguments. Scarlett focuses on money and business, ignoring Rhett’s longing for her love.

They have a daughter, Bonnie Blue Butler, who becomes the joy of Rhett’s life. But tragedy strikes when Bonnie dies in a riding accident. Rhett is crushed, and Scarlett realizes too late that she truly loves him.

Rhett, tired of her indifference and her obsession with Ashley, decides to leave her. Scarlett begs him to stay, but he walks away, saying he does not care anymore. Left alone, Scarlett vows to win him back someday, believing that tomorrow is another day.

Figures of Speech / Literary Devices

  1. Imagery – The burning of Atlanta is described so vividly that readers can almost feel the heat, hear the roar of the flames, and see the red glow in the sky.
  2. Symbolism – Tara symbolizes home, heritage, and survival. Scarlett’s love for the land is as strong as her will to live.
  3. Foreshadowing – Early hints suggest that Scarlett’s love for Ashley will lead to pain, as he is never truly hers.
  4. Irony – Scarlett spends years chasing Ashley, only to realize too late that she loves Rhett, who is leaving her.
  5. Metaphor – The title itself is a metaphor for the destruction of the old South and the passing of a way of life.
  6. Hyperbole – Scarlett’s dramatic statements about never going hungry again or her beauty being unmatched heighten her personality traits.
  7. Personification – The land of Tara is described as if it has a soul, capable of giving strength to those who love it.

Closing Thought

Gone with the Wind is more than just a romance. It is a powerful picture of survival in the face of war, loss, and change. Scarlett O’Hara is not always noble or gentle, but she is unforgettable. The story’s passion, tragedy, and hope still touch readers decades later.