Gone with the Wind is an epic work of historical fiction by American writer Margaret Mitchell. Set in Georgia during the American Civil War and the Reconstruction Era, the novel follows the life of Scarlett O'Hara, the daughter of a plantation owner, who navigates the complexities of love and life as the South undergoes profound social and economic changes.
The story begins on the eve of the Civil War, introducing Scarlett as she learns of the engagement between Ashley Wilkes, whom she loves, and Melanie Hamilton. In an attempt to make Ashley jealous, Scarlett marries Charles Hamilton, Melanie’s brother, who soon dies in the war. As a young widow, Scarlett moves from rural Clayton County to the city of Atlanta, where her life intersects with Rhett Butler, a charismatic blockade runner. The narrative captures the fall of the Confederacy, the challenges of Reconstruction, and Scarlett’s determined struggle to ensure the survival of her family and her beloved plantation, Tara.
Against the backdrop of historical events, Mitchell explores themes of love, honor, and betrayal through the interconnected lives of her characters. Scarlett’s complex relationship with Rhett Butler, her marriages, and her internal conflicts drive the narrative towards its memorable conclusion. Rhett’s eventual departure, coupled with Scarlett’s realization of her true feelings for him, captures the novel’s exploration of human resilience and the pursuit of happiness amidst the ashes of the Old South. Scarlett's final resolve to return to Tara and win back Rhett epitomizes her indomitable spirit, with the novel closing on her hopeful declaration that "tomorrow is another day."
Published in 1936, Gone with the Wind quickly became a bestseller and has since sold more than 28 million copies worldwide. Mitchell received the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1937. The novel was adapted into a highly successful film in 1939, winning the Academy Award for Best Picture. Gone with the Wind remains a landmark in American literature, embodying the transformations of a nation through the lens of a deeply personal and epic tale.
Themes
Survival in the face of adversity
Transformation of Southern society
Love and heartbreak
Personal growth and determination
Racial, social, and class inequalities
Romanticization of the Old South
Impact of war and change
Female empowerment and independence
Morality and ethical ambiguity
Loss of innocence and disillusionment
Setting
Gone with the Wind is set against the backdrop of the American Civil War and its aftermath. Margaret Mitchell's historical epic unfolds predominantly across two locales within the state of Georgia—Clayton County and the city of Atlanta. These settings serve as integral components to the evolving story of survival and love amidst sweeping change.
The novel's timeline begins just before the outbreak of the Civil War and stretches into the Reconstruction Era, capturing a period marked by profound social upheaval and transformation. At the center of this tale is Tara, the O'Hara family plantation in Clayton County, representing a way of life that is on the brink of irrevocable change due to the impending war. Atlanta, on the other hand, emerges as a symbol of resilience and renaissance, capturing the grit and spirit of the South during and after the war. The city's growth from a somewhat sleepy town to a bustling urban center, despite the ravages of the war, mirrors the indomitable spirit of the novel's protagonist, Scarlett O'Hara.
While the specific locations of Tara and Atlanta are pivotal, the broader geographical area of the Southern United States during this tumultuous period offers a rich tapestry against which the personal stories of characters like Scarlett O'Hara, Rhett Butler, Ashley Wilkes, and Melanie Hamilton unfold. The novel, through its vivid narrative and complex characters, provides a deeply engaging exploration of the human condition amidst the backdrop of one of the most defining periods in American history.
Characters
Katie Scarlett Hamilton-Kennedy-Butler née O'Hara: The protagonist, known for her beauty and strong will.
Captain Rhett K. Butler: Scarlett's third husband, known for his charm, wit, and morally ambiguous actions.
Major George Ashley Wilkes: Scarlett's lifelong obsession, he marries his cousin Melanie despite Scarlett's feelings for him.
Melanie Wilkes née Hamilton: Ashley's wife and cousin, known for her kindness, compassion, and strong moral compass.
Ellen O'Hara née Robillard: Scarlett's mother, representing the ideal Southern lady.
Gerald O'Hara: Scarlett's father, an Irish immigrant who owns the plantation Tara.
Susan Elinor "Suellen" Benteen née O'Hara: Scarlett's younger sister, often portrayed as petty and self-interested.
Caroline Irene "Carreen" O'Hara: The youngest O'Hara sister, portrayed as gentle and devout.
Charles Hamilton: Scarlett's first husband, Melanie's brother.
Wade Hampton Hamilton: Scarlett and Charles's son.
Frank Kennedy: Scarlett's second husband, originally engaged to Suellen.
Ella Lorena Kennedy: Daughter of Scarlett and Frank.
Eugenie Victoria "Bonnie Blue" Butler: The beloved daughter of Scarlett and Rhett.
Mammy: Scarlett's nurse since childhood, deeply loyal to the O'Hara family.
Pork: Gerald O'Hara's valet and first slave, loyal to the O'Hara family.
Dilcey: Pork's wife, a house servant at Tara.
Prissy: Dilcey's daughter, known for her incompetence and deceitfulness.
Big Sam: The foreman at Tara, represents the loyal field slave.
Will Benteen: A Confederate soldier who stays on at Tara after the war, later marries Suellen.
India and Honey Wilkes: Ashley's sisters, represent the Southern aristocracy.
John Wilkes: Ashley's father, the patriarch of the Twelve Oaks plantation.
Jonas Wilkerson: The Yankee overseer of Tara before the Civil War
Sarah Jane "Pittypat" Hamilton: A spinster aunt living in Atlanta, known for her timidity.
Beauregard "Beau" Wilkes: Melanie and Ashley's son, representing the next generation of Southern aristocrats.
Critical reception
Proclaimed by The New York Times as "one of the most remarkable first novels produced by an American writer," Gone with the Wind received widespread critical acclaim and earned Margaret Mitchell the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.The Washington Post deemed it "the best novel to have ever come out of the South" and unmatched in "the whole of American writing," while the Chicago Tribune described it as "fascinating and unforgettable," a "remarkable" and "spectacular" book that "will not be forgotten."
FAQs
What year was Gone with the Wind published, and how quickly did it gain popularity?
Gone with the Wind was published on June 30, 1936, marking the debut of author Margaret Mitchell. This epic historical was an immediate sensation, selling a million copies within six months of its release.
What are the primary themes explored in the novel?
Gone with the Wind explores themes of survival, love, racial conflict, class, gender, generation, and the impact of war and societal changes on individuals and communities. It also touches on the struggle between traditional and modern values.
Who are the main characters in Gone with the Wind, and what do they symbolize?
The novel focuses on four characters—Scarlett O'Hara, Rhett Butler, Ashley Wilkes, and Melanie Hamilton. Scarlett represents determination and resilience in the face of adversity; Rhett embodies the theme of survival and pragmatism; Ashley symbolizes the ideals of the Old South and nostalgia for a pre-war way of life; Melanie represents goodness, self-sacrifice, and the strength of women.
How does the book depict the Civil War and Reconstruction Era?
Gone with the Wind is set in Clayton County and Atlanta, Georgia, during the American Civil War and Reconstruction Era. It depicts the struggles of young Scarlett O'Hara and the impact of Sherman's March to the Sea on her life, culminating in her efforts to lift herself out of poverty post-war.
How accurate is Gone with the Wind in depicting historical events?
While the novel incorporates major historical events like the Civil War and Reconstruction, it has been criticized for historical inaccuracies, particularly in its portrayal of slavery, racial attitudes, and the South's societal structure.
What are the main controversies surrounding Gone with the Wind?
Gone with the Wind has been subject to criticism for its portrayal of African Americans and romanticization of the South before the Civil War. It has also been criticized for perpetuating stereotypes about the Reconstruction Era and for its depiction of slavery.
What awards has the novel received?
Gone with the Wind received the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1937.
How hasGone with the Windbeen adapted over the years?
Gone with the Wind was adapted into a critically acclaimed 1939 film, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture and remains one of the most famous interpretations of the novel. Additionally, there have been several authorized and unauthorized sequels and prequels, musicals, and a television mini-series.
What impact has Gone with the Windhad on American culture?
The novel and its film adaptation have had a significant impact on American culture, influencing public perceptions of the Civil War and Reconstruction Era. Despite its controversies, Gone with the Wind has remained a popular and influential piece of American literature and cinema.
How has Gone with the Wind been received internationally?
Gone with the Wind has been translated into 25 languages and sold over 28 million copies worldwide, indicating its broad international appeal. The novel's themes of love, loss, and survival have resonated with many cultures around the world.
Quotes
“Burdens are for shoulders strong enough to carry them.”
“After all, tomorrow is another day!”
“Well, my dear, take heart. Some day, I will kiss you and you will like it. But not now, so I beg you not to be too impatient.”
“My dear, I don't give a damn.”
“I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow.”
“I'll think of it tomorrow, at Tara. I can stand it then. Tomorrow, I'll think of some way to get him back. After all, tomorrow is another day.”
“Hardships make or break people.”
“Sir,"she said,"you are no gentleman!" “An apt observation,"he answered airily. "And, you, Miss, are no lady.”
“Until you've lost your reputation, you never realize what a burden it was or what freedom really is.”
Quick facts
Gone with the Wind was published on June 30, 1936, and it took Margaret Mitchell approximately ten years to write it.
Mitchell wrote the last chapter of the book first and then constructed the rest of the novel leading up to that ending.
The title Gone with the Wind was taken from the first line of the third stanza of the poem "Non Sum Qualis Eram Bonae sub Regno Cynarae" by Ernest Dowson.
Margaret Mitchell won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for Gone with the Wind in 1937.
By the end of 1936, within six months of its publication, Gone with the Wind had sold over one million copies.
Mitchell was inspired by the stories she heard from her family about the Civil War and Reconstruction, which profoundly influenced the novel's setting and characters.
The book was initially titled "Tomorrow is Another Day," reflecting its famous last line, but Mitchell eventually settled on Gone with the Wind.
Gone with the Wind was the top American fiction bestseller in 1936 and 1937 and has been translated into more than 25 languages.
Mitchell's estate, after her death, authorized Alexandra Ripley to write a sequel titled Scarlett, published in 1991.
The novel reflects the racial prejudices and social hierarchies of the American South before, during, and after the Civil War, which has fueled ongoing debates about its portrayal of slavery and race relations.
About the author
Margaret Mitchell was an American author and journalist. She is best known for her only published novel, Gone with the Wind, which received the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1937 and the National Book Award for Most Distinguished Novel of 1936. This epic work has sold more than 28 million copies globally and was adapted into a highly successful film that won the 1939 Academy Award for Best Picture.
Mitchell was born in 1900 into a prominent family with deep roots in the American South. Her early life in Atlanta, Georgia, steeped in the lore of the Civil War and Reconstruction, deeply influenced her novel, imbuing it with the historical context and rich storytelling that captivated millions. Before turning to fiction writing, Mitchell pursued a career in journalism, contributing articles to The Atlanta Journal. Her insights gained from interviewing and writing about local figures and events enriched her narrative skills and understanding of the human condition. Posthumously, her early writings, including a novella, Lost Laysen, were published.
Beyond her literary achievements, Mitchell was known for her philanthropy and involvement in social causes, notably her volunteer work during World War II and her efforts to support the American Red Cross. Her tragic death in 1949, resulting from being struck by a speeding vehicle, cut short a life of remarkable creativity and service. Her life and work were later celebrated and honored through her inductions into the Georgia Women of Achievement, the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame, and the portrayal of her life in film and literature.
