Introduction
“Gone with the Wind” is a classic American novel written by Margaret Mitchell and first published in 1936. The book is set in the American South during the Civil War and Reconstruction eras and tells the story of Scarlett O’Hara, a wealthy plantation owner’s daughter, and her tumultuous love affairs with Rhett Butler and Ashley Wilkes.
Background of the Book
Margaret Mitchell began writing “Gone with the Wind” in 1926 and spent the next ten years working on it. The book was finally published in 1936 and became an immediate success. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1937 and has since sold over 30 million copies worldwide.
Plot Summary
The story is set in the southern United States during the Civil War and Reconstruction eras. Scarlett O’Hara is a young woman from a wealthy plantation-owning family who is in love with Ashley Wilkes, a neighbor. When Ashley marries Melanie Hamilton, Scarlett is heartbroken and marries Melanie’s brother, Charles, in a fit of pique. Charles dies soon after, leaving Scarlett a widow.
Scarlett then marries Frank Kennedy, a wealthy businessman, in order to save her family’s plantation, Tara. However, she remains in love with Ashley and continues to pursue him even after he marries Melanie. Scarlett has a child with Rhett Butler, a roguish blockade runner, but he leaves her after their daughter Bonnie dies in a horse riding accident.
The book ends with Scarlett realizing that she loves Rhett and desperately trying to win him back.
Character Analysis
1. Scarlett O'Hara
Scarlett is the protagonist of the novel. She is strong-willed and determined to maintain her family’s lifestyle during and after the war. Scarlett is also selfish and manipulative.
2. Rhett Butler
Rhett is a dashing and wealthy rogue who falls in love with Scarlett. He is also selfish and manipulative
3. Ashley Wilkes
Ashley is Scarlett’s love interest at the beginning of the novel. He is kind and gentle but is not as strong-willed as Scarlett.
4. Melanie Hamilton
Melanie is Ashley’s cousin and wife. She is kind and gentle and is Scarlett’s friend.
Writing Style
Narrative style
The novel is written in third-person omniscient point of view. The narrator knows what all the characters are thinking and feeling.
Language
The language of the novel is formal and descriptive. Mitchell uses similes and metaphors to describe the characters and their surroundings.
Length
The novel is over 1,000 pages long and can be daunting to read. However, the story is engaging and keeps the reader interested.
Analysis
Strengths
The novel is well-written and engaging. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is complex.
Weaknesses
The novel has been criticized for its portrayal of African Americans. The African American characters are stereotypes and are not well-developed.
Significance
“Gone with the Wind” is a classic novel that has been read by generations. It is a portrait of the American South during a turbulent time in history.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Gone with the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell is a classic novel that tells the story of the American South during the Civil War and Reconstruction era. It explores themes of love, war, and reconstruction and is notable for its well-developed characters and complex plot. Although the novel has been criticized for its portrayal of African Americans, it remains a significant work of literature that has been read by generations.