Gone With the Wind. Round 5.

[shmoogrrrl]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the book and the movie. I actually named my daughter after Scarlett O'Hara, although it isn't hugely obvious. I always said that if I had a girl, I was going to name her Katie Hamilton (which is Katie for Katie Scarlett and Hamilton is her first married name). Then I met and married a Butler. I thought about not using it, but I loved it too much not to. I've only had about three people hear her full name and ask.

Yeah, not the greatest role model, but at least she was a strong woman who was a survivor.

Having said all of that, I totally get what the OP is saying. It is almost painful to watch her go after someone who obviously isn't right for her, when the perfect man is right there in front of her. I don't think that is an uncommon thing though when it comes to love. People tend to chase an ideal that isn't necessarily what is right. If they manage to figure it out in the end and pick Mr. or Mrs. Right then they will be happy.

Edited to add that the above is the same plot line to just about every romantic comedy ever made.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Thanks for reminding me to see this again, its now next on my Netflix I have to say though that all the death did alarm me. I seem to remember after someone's daughter died in the front of the house, one in a long series of many deaths, turning to my DH and saying, "Good grief, this feels like a snuff film". I have to say I walked away not really liking Scarlett or Rhett all that much, maybe it's time for another chance, could be I missed something.

 

[IdesOmarch]

I don't remember how the book went about this part, but I disagree somewhat, in the movie (which is what I remember more) she didn't seem all that interested, especially since she was on a "date" more or less with the twins in the opening scene. It seems she only discovered she was "in love" with Ashley when her dad told her that they would be announcing that Ashley was going to marry Melanie.

 

[rie'smom]

Thanks for reminding me to see this again, its now next on my Netflix I have to say though that all the death did alarm me. I seem to remember after someone's daughter died in the front of the house, one in a long series of many deaths, turning to my DH and saying, "Good grief, this feels like a snuff film". I have to say I walked away not really liking Scarlett or Rhett all that much, maybe it's time for another chance, could be I missed something.

Scarlet's dad died I forgot how.
He mom died as a result of an illness.
Her daughter died in a riding accident.

Not too many considering the book encompasses her life from age 16 to probably about 40 except of course for those who were killed in the war.

 

[pampam]

No, Scarlett was in love with Ashley for a long time. She went to the BBQ and took time dressing because she wanted to impress him. She was devastated when she found out he was going to marry Melanie because she wanted to marry him.

We are told in the first chapter that Scarlett was "unable to endure any man being in love with any woman not herself". but then we are told 8 pages later that "since that day two years ago when Ashley, newly home from his three years' Grand Tour in Europe had called to pay his respects, she had loved him." He had called every week at Tara. So, even though she didn't really know him or his thoughts, she really felt she loved him. Still, she was an imature 16 year old, selfish, and craving attention. We can see that through her actions at the barbecue, especially since she married a man she had said the day before she accepted his proposal that he was silly and an awful sissy. (Charles Hamilton).

 

[Tinkermommy]

I don't remember how the book went about this part, but I disagree somewhat, in the movie (which is what I remember more) she didn't seem all that interested, especially since she was on a "date" more or less with the twins in the opening scene. It seems she only discovered she was "in love" with Ashley when her dad told her that they would be announcing that Ashley was going to marry Melanie.

Scarlett wanted Ashley from the beginning. She was a notorious flirt though, but both the book and movie make it clear she had her sights set on him. In the scene where she is getting ready for the barbecue at 12 Oaks, she says something about Ashley and Mammy remarks that "I don't see him asking to marry you." Which makes Scarlett mad.

Scarlet's dad died I forgot how.
He mom died as a result of an illness.
Her daughter died in a riding accident.

Not too many considering the book encompasses her life from age 16 to probably about 40 except of course for those who were killed in the war.

Her first husband died of dysentery.

Her second husband died in a fight with some locals.

She killed a Union soldier who was trespassing and up to no good.

And of course, Melanie died at the end of the movie.

Not to mention the ones killed in the war.

I don't think it is unrealistic though given the times and the setting.

 

[IdesOmarch]

I think the relationship was much more of a metaphor or slice of the human psyche in that we all pursue what we perceive is something we can't have, we are more interested in things or people that are not interested in us. Or we chase the dream and push away the tangible reality in front of us that may be better for us in the long run.

 

[BeefJerky]

We are told in the first chapter that Scarlett was "unable to endure any man being in love with any woman not herself". but then we are told 8 pages later that "since that day two years ago when Ashley, newly home from his three years' Grand Tour in Europe had called to pay his respects, she had loved him." He had called every week at Tara. So, even though she didn't really know him or his thoughts, she really felt she loved him. Still, she was an imature 16 year old, selfish, and craving attention. We can see that through her actions at the barbecue, especially since she married a man she had said the day before she accepted his proposal that he was silly and an awful sissy. (Charles Hamilton).

I have to admit out of all three husbands I pitied Charles probably the most. Don't get me wrong I absolutely love Rhett but he knew what he was getting into when he married Scarlett and I think she treated him deplorably but with Charles things were different. I mean, Frank was kind of stupid for marrying Scarlett when his heart was set for Suellen even if he was a good man. With Charles, it was like this guy is still a kid and he was terribly shy and when Scarlett encounters him he was just so surprised that this belle would love HIM so it was natural that he was attracted to her and I think he had good intentions with his marriage to Scarlett. I always thought he was kind of gentle with her, he was the obvious opposite of Rhett but there is something kind of sweet about him and his son kind of took that personality.

 

[luvsJack]

Scarlet's dad died I forgot how.
He mom died as a result of an illness.
Her daughter died in a riding accident.

Not too many considering the book encompasses her life from age 16 to probably about 40 except of course for those who were killed in the war.

He died falling off a horse when it jumped over a fence--just like Scarlett and Rhett's daughter.

 

[rie'smom]

We are told in the first chapter that Scarlett was "unable to endure any man being in love with any woman not herself". but then we are told 8 pages later that "since that day two years ago when Ashley, newly home from his three years' Grand Tour in Europe had called to pay his respects, she had loved him." He had called every week at Tara. So, even though she didn't really know him or his thoughts, she really felt she loved him. Still, she was an imature 16 year old, selfish, and craving attention. We can see that through her actions at the barbecue, especially since she married a man she had said the day before she accepted his proposal that he was silly and an awful sissy. (Charles Hamilton).

I guess it was this line that has always made me believe Scarlett loved Ashley for a long time:
Ashley: Isn't it enough that you've gathered every other man's heart today? You've always had mine. You cut your teeth on it.