"Gone with the wind" Reconsidered

 

Leading up to watching "Gone with the Wind," I wasn't that interested in what it had in its tail; I wasn't looking forward to a long, dragged-out movie about history. The more I watched more intrigued I got in the storyline and what life was like for people in this time period. After watching, it gave me a better visual point on what this era in humanity was like during this time. 

Movie Poster 

Mammy's role in this movie, played by Hattie McDaniel, seemed to be very motherly or stern, as she spoke her mind and kept things in order. Honestly, I was kind of taken aback by how blunt she is to the people she works for. I guess I assumed that in this time period, slaves or servants couldn't speak to the people they worked for freely. 

She states, “If you don't care what folks say about this family, I do! I have told you and told you that you can always tell a lady by the way she eats in front of folks like a bird. And I ain't aiming for you to go to Mr. John Wilkes' and eat like a field hand and gobble like a hog!”. The phrases she uses to put Scarlett in her place are strict and harsh. Overall, I think she is an impactful character, and she helps the family progress a lot.

Scarlett and Mammy

    I think Scarlett, played by Vivien Leigh, might be my favorite character because of her drive and ambition. She is fierce and strong, which was noble in such a harsh time period of the war. The love triangle and obstacles throughout the story, I think, really build her character. I was also taken aback when she was widowed 3 times, losing a husband 3 times, and having kids with some is tragic. Especially considering the time period she is in and the war that took a toll on her. 

    One of my favorite quotes from her is “I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow.” I can relate to this a lot when a lot is on my mind. I tend to not think about it till the next day, and I think she's relatable. 

Rhett Butler 

Rhett Butler, played by Clarke Gable, is a very important but selfless character. I feel like more throughout the movie we see how helpful he is in aiding the war and his loved ones. 

His character really grows and changes throughout the movie. He started off not having a lot to say or do with the story, and then evolves into a willful character who is 

conflicted with his wife and decisions. He and Scarlett are both bold and determined characters, which leads them to have a really complex relationship. His famous quote, “I can't go all my life waiting to catch you between husbands. highlights his capacity for deep emotion and how frustrated he was with Scarlett's conflict.