Gone With The Wind - Margeret Mitchell
It was an unexpectedly enjoyable reading experience. Like a journey that I’d not be interested in but somehow the writing had me engaged the whole time.The writing is quite simplistic and flowy although it took me a long while to accustom self to the derogatory language and the apparent maltreatment of some. I might have to do some research too as I’m not aware if this book’s more of a commentary on the times or if it was so normalised and okay for a book to be written so and none would would bat an eyelid.
Our protagonist Scarlett starts off as this spoiled, selfish, bratty sort of girl and while she somehow retains some her negative traits the hardships she goes through during the Civil War help toughen her up. She becomes a survivor and a strong businesswoman in the end which is remarkable considering the society and everything during the period she lived. She's really a multi-faceted character and I liked how real everything seems to be, especially the grey-ness within. Events like losing everything in the war, helping Melanie birth her child, losing loved ones, and dealing with Rhett's departure, marrying Frank Kennedy and of course, Melanie's death all play a huge role in shaping her development. At every phase of her life, we see her grow but along with that growth comes both positive and negative traits and that's something I found unique or rather something that hasn't been explored much in literature (or rather it has been but fails to come to mind as of now). It always felt like I understood certain parts of her, the decisions she does take but it's hard not to loathe her too sometimes (or should I say most of the time? lol) Oh and that I did find interesting because it isn't usual or ordinary to write a main character who is so very layered, like fully fleshed out and human with remarkable attention given to their grey side rather than their angelic, pure, and all those lovely adjectives' side.
The role of women in the story:
The general vibe was women being expected to be proper Southern ladies, focused on marriage, child rearing, and family etc... even with a war on, they'd rather be left starving or dead than take up some profession to help themselves and Scarlett and others challenging these expectations by being independent, assertive, and making their own decisions is like a huge blow in a way. Even Melanie, sweet and soft as she may be, she does kind of stay strong through everything that goes on. It got a bit ridiculous at times... like pregnant women not being allowed to go out or being seen by outsiders and all that yet the war had made the men useless in someways and the women had to come forth than carry on helplessly. It felt like while gender expectations did limit their choices, it also pushed them to fight for what they really wanted too. If a woman's made her mind up, there's nothing you could do stop her from getting it kinda thing.
About the title:
I think the title "Gone with the Wind" refers to the fleeting nature of life and how things can change in an instant. For a novel this long, there are loads of momentary changes that force the characters to grow and adapt... We see how characters' lives are uprooted by the Civil War and the after effects of war and while it may seem like a central theme, there's a lot that goes on that is either commented upon or implied. Like the questions that are raised by Scarlett or rather the commentary upon how the 'Yankees' were so eager to free the slaves, yet the same folks discriminated and segregated them to an extent where livelihood seemed impossible. I feel like it opened loads of questions and could help a person like me so far away from American Civil War and who could only loathe the Southerners restraint of freeing slaves, see the other side. Not saying I agree or empathise completely but the book makes stuff a lot clearer. I also find themes of change and loss central to the story reflects how the characters' lives are swept away by the chaos of war and reconstruction.
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