by: Margaret Mitchell
Rating: Great (Excellent)
Growing up in Jonesboro Georgia, I have seen the movie Gone
with the Wind multiple times. As high school girls, my friends and I would quote
varies lines of the movie reminiscing as we drove through Main Street, past the
train depot, and the Warren house (a Confederate, and Union field hospital). I
am ashamed to say; I never read the book, until now. For those who have only heard of the book/
movie, Scarlett, the main character, is probably one of the first feminists. She is beautiful, head strong, determined,
successful, and sometimes showing no scruples. She is forging through the
present, but has left her heart in the past.
The book is a classic. It is well written, professionally executed,
and has an intriguing plot with fully developed characters. Expressed in the
book so beautifully are not just the tortured relationship of Scarlett and
Rhett, but also the relationship between Scarlett and Melanie. Melanie is quite, reserved, and seems to be
over powered by the strong overbearing Scarlett, but her quiet reserved
demeanor is the pillar of strength in crisis. She is what everyone should want
in a best friend, and as Rhett said, “The only true good person he ever
knew”. Most every confrontation Scarlett
seems to be faced with, Melanie is by her side, facing it with her.
Unfortunately for Scarlett, she realizes this to late.
The other
relationships that are revealed in the book, which could be over-looked by just
seeing the movie, are the relationship between Scarlett and the servants. The trust and love she feels for Pork,
Dilcey, Uncle Peter, and Mammy are explored in depth. She considers them as family, and seeks refuge
in them. When left with nothing, it is
not Tara that Scarlett is craving to return to, but Mammy. Mammy’s love, strength and righteousness are
her hope, because “Tomorrow is another day”.
