I recently watched the classic movie “Gone With the Wind” again. It has been years since I saw the movie in it’s entirety and this time I watched it over two days. My 8 year old was studying Civil War in history and a teacher friend loaned it to us as a supplement to that.
There are so many fascinating characters in the move, the most fascinating is naturally the main character; Katie Scarlett O’Hara (as her father called her). There are three observations I made about Scarlett; I would love feedback with your opinion on these things.
1. She would do and say ANYTHING (without limitation) to get what she wanted.
2. She was very self-absorbed. She believed with all her heart that the world revolved around her and that every person in her life was made for her use or pleasure.
3. She was spirited, confident and courageous.
For number 3, I believe she has gained a place in the hearts of many fans. Her feisty courage is something many of us would like to emulate. She did face reality and fought it to gain what she wanted. This confidence is what her admirers and suitors loved in her.
Rhett Butler was the only man who had her number. After she had blazed her way through two marriages (both for the purpose of gaining something she wanted), and used and abused everyone in her life, Rhett saw right through her and still wanted to be with her. He entered the relationship with his eyes wide open and exposed her at every turn, but in the end, her self absorption was even too much for him to bear. He had wanted to make a life with her, but as he said to her “You throw happiness away with both hands, and reach for something that can never really make you happy.”
For whatever reason, she had chosen to make her “Impossible dream” Ashley Wilkes, a man of truly noble character. Rhett was absolutely right; even if she had Ashley, she still would not have been happy. She is one who would never have happiness or contentment because nothing was ever enough for her. She was the black hole of un-satisfiable self.
Melanie, on the other hand was all unselfish goodness, if not a bit of a yawn to watch. It would be nearly impossible to make an interesting movie on her character alone. However, over time she ended up gaining a much deeper love and respect from her husband Ashley Wilkes than Scarlett could ever dream of having from a man. She chose contentment and pleasure in her lot in life, and deliberately loved those in her path rather than always looking for something that she thought might make her happy. She sought to give of herself and her gifts rather than finding something to take from everyone in her life, and by giving so much of herself, she gained far more.
When I watch a movie, I often think about what it would be like to live with the characters in real life. Imagine a person like Melanie who would treat others with love, regardless of the fact that they used and abused her.
Scarlett sought attention and notoriety, and she got it, but in the process she lost the hope for true happiness. She lost the things that were truly valuable in life. The relationships, love and trust that could have brought her such enjoyment.
In the end, whether you love her or hate her, it is impossible not to pity her as she lay crying on the steps of Tara, when Rhett left her for the last time; finally aware of her foolish blindness to the gift of love that had been right in front of her all along.
I would love to hear your thoughts on the movie: Who do you admire and for what reasons? Who would you like as a friend? Which man would you be in love with? What do you admire about each character?
Yes, I love how Scarlett was a fighter!! She would NEVER be hungry again! And she was creative and highly intelligent.
She also had many flaws that we love to hate in her..but if we knew her in real life we really would hate her!! LOL
I never understood why she thought she loved Ashley so much…really I think he is kinda boring too. Melanie is amazing but boring. Really…and this is off on a tangent..but if heaven is sin-less….kinda like Melanie…is it going to be boring!?? If we can’t even gossip…what is going to be interesting in heaven to keep us all from being so bored? LOL..just wondering
Oh OH ….and I would be MADLY in love w/ Rhett
because he was totally into Scarlett and knew how to handle her. He was kind of a “bad boy” but had a intoxicating sense of humor and laugh and smirk. And he had money 
…just sayin’
I agree with your view of Scarlett based on the movie. It’s only at the very end when it’s too late does she even begin to get it. I only wish they went on to make the sequal sooner. I read the book Gone With the Wind, and immediately went and got the sequal Scarlett. In that book (as I recall) she does a complete turn around on her views towards others yet gains even more strength.
I know a few years back they did do a miniseries based on the book Scarlett, but I did not like it…I think mainly because I read the book first, AND of course they couldn’t use Vivian Leigh and Clark Gable
As for who I would want to be??? DEF Melanie. Remember the scene where Ashley got shot, and Rhett went out to get him? Melanie held the women together, and although she was extremely kind…she was also very strong.
…but like Carla, I’d probably go for Rhett Butler
I think that Scarlett in the beginning wanted him because of his family (wealth and name)…later it was more of a challenge. As much as she loved Melanie, she couldn’t deal with being “upstaged” by her.
Carla, I’ve thought a lot about that. I think what made Scarlett so fascinating was not the bad part of her. I think she could have been as exciting as a good person. I can think of two people I know who have her fierce passion, creativity and resourcefulness AND the sweet, unselfish goodness of Melly. They are still human and therefore imperfect, but they seek to honor God in all they do. Their lives are fascinating and would make a great movie.
I agree with Jenn that Scarlett wanted the name/money at first. It was a girlhood crush. Then when he married Melanie, it became a challenge. She was fiercely competitive, and in this case, for no good reason. When she finally realized he’d loved Melanie all along, her infatuation fluttered away with the wind, but the happiness that had been in her grasp for years disappeared with Rhett. Truly though, even if he’d stayed I don’t think she would’ve been happy. Because she always wanted what she didn’t have, and stepped on anyone in her way to get it.
Besides, he saw through her completely, yet initially accepted her anyway. She just (figuratively) spit in his face one too many times. A man can only take so much disrespect.
I’d be in love with Rhett too. Something very attractive about a man with such cool confidence, yet a generous heart. And yeah Carla, like Scarlett, the money wouldn’t hurt!
Thanks for commenting! I love the dialogue!
Well, after this post and discussion, I think it’s time to bite the bullet and watch the movie. I don’t know how I managed to grow up in Mississippi and never see it… but I did. Same way I managed to get an English degree from a MS university without reading any Faulkner, I guess! Oversight… lol.