Gone With the Wind - Movie Review Example

Gone With The Wind The growth and development of an individual in society depends on the different characteristics portrayed by the larger population. Going against norms often get one branded an outlaw, something that is often spoken against by most people. Individuals believe that there is no reason to go against such norms as this may alter the social order in place. However, most people who dare to go against these norms for what they believe in achieve more than society expects. One character in history who dared to do what others were afraid was Scarlett O’Hara. She is a woman described as a feminist even before people could coin a term for such character. At a time when her behavior and mannerism would be labeled as social taboo (Mitchell 27), Scarlett sought to live her life as she saw fit, making her a really interesting character for countless discussions. This paper will examine Scarlett and some of her characteristics, and how they impact society even in modern times. At a time when even all men did not hold equal rights, Scarlett O’Hara sought to change her fate and those of her kind by fighting to get everything that she wanted. Her mannerism and characteristics at this time were often considered as a social taboo, even by the women she sought to elevate in society (Mitchell 36). The challenges she faced are not something to write home about because she faced adversity from everyone that surrounded her, which included her family and friends. She has even been described as disloyal, untrustworthy, and even deceitful by people close to her as a result of some of her actions. However, this does not change the fact that Scarlett O’Hara paved the way for more women to take a hold of their fate and control it to the desired destination. Scarlett’s role as a feminist During her time, the role of the woman was defined and cemented in society as that of being a wife and a mother. By the time Scarlett was sixteen, she was already married and had a child. The war taking place, however, did not see her enjoy her marriage as her husband died during the war. Apart from being with child at a tender age, Scarlett was faced with the challenges of raising a child in a war-torn environment. This meant that she could only rely on herself for guidance and comfort whenever there was need to, and this meant breaking free from all the traditional rules that bound her (Mitchell 43). The ramifications that came with the war ensured that Scarlett had to grow up faster than any normal sixteen year-old would today. Her actions, often seen as selfish, made it possible for more women to see the progress they did at that time. She embodied a strong and intractable woman who would not back down from any challenge, and this can be seen in the manner in which she handles the death of her husband and even family. She does not conform to society’s stereotype to behave as any woman should, that is; wear black because she is widowed, or ask for help from people because she is not capable on her own. She held her head high even in the face of adversity, and this is seen when her family’s financial holdings are deemed worthless because of the war. Scarlett worked hard to protect her family even in the face of starvation. She worked tirelessly on Tara, her father’s plantation, in order to feed her surviving family members. All this time, she kept her pride and did not moan or cry despite the pain she was going through at the time (Mitchell 58). Scarlett did everything that any man could do, perhaps even better. She took over her husband’s business and made it flourish even as she was chastised by her family for venturing into a male dominated domain. Her feminine wiles made it possible to mingle with the big people in the South and ensured that she profited tremendously from such relationships. The reconstruction of the South made her want for more, which meant that she had dreams of becoming as wealthy as she possibly could. She was driven by the adversity she faced, the past memories of her struggles, and even the burning desire to be more than what society expected from her (Mitchell 78). The fact that nothing stood in her way makes Scarlett O’Hara a force that not many could deal with, even at a time when women were trained to know their place from birth. Scarlett O’Hara’s characteristics Scarlett happened to be a proud and stubborn woman. She did not listen to what other people said about her. All she wanted was the best for herself and her family. She did not bow to the pressure placed on her after her husband died, and this can be seen in the manner in which she decides to work on Tara to pay taxes and retain ownership of the land. She did not wish for the land to be taken away because this meant that she would be reduced to begging for her family to feed or get clothing. She was a courageous woman. She tried to ensure that despite the death of her husband, she would be her family’s protector. This can be seen when she shot and killed a man in cold blood after he tried to rob her. Every obstacle that came her way could be tackled with zeal and fervor, which showed commitment on her part to be more than what people expected of her (Stevens 32). Despite this being a negative trait, in some cases, selfishness was also a strong trait that Scarlett possessed. She is accused of marrying the fiancé to her sister, and at the same time, was accused of kissing her friend’s spouse. She might have done this to get her way, but this trait proves that she would do almost anything to make herself happy, regardless of whom it would hurt in the end. She was also particularly loyal to some things. One might wonder who she might be loyal to after the above mentioned selfish trait, but Scarlett O’Hara was a woman with a loyal heart. She was loyal to the things that mattered most to her, for instance; her father’s plantation, Rhett Butler, and even people living under her roof (the Wilkeses), a family she treasured as her own (Zeisler 34). Scarlett was an ambitious woman. She dreamt of being as rich as humanly feasible, which meant she would do almost anything for extra money. She was as shrewd and cunning as any businessman present in her day, and this made her make more enemies. She ran her store and lumberyard securely pulling all the stunts considered modern in a bid to make more money, ensuring that all residents in her town, Atlanta, despised her. This alienated her from the few friends she still had left, and led to her breakup with Rhett (Gray 516). One thing that Scarlett can be commended for is her ability to think freely. From a young age, she sought to change the misconception surrounding the female gender, and this drive was enforced after the death of her husband. The hope of maintaining her father’s plantation and the thought of protecting her family came as a result of the above characteristic, which could not be said for most of the women living at that time. Relationship with Rhett Butler After the passing of Frank Kennedy, Scarlett’s husband, she got engaged to Rhett Butler. He was a wise, egotistical, and perceptive rebel who deeply loved Scarlett even though he felt betrayed and hurt. This is because he always thought Scarlett was only with him because of his financial security, which could have been true considering Scarlett’s nature. This, however, did not prevent him from showering and pampering Scarlett with gifts. Their relationship was kind of complicated because Rhett never wanted to show Scarlett how much he cherished and adored her. She would have used this against him, and being the renegade that he was, wanted to ensure that his masculinity was never questioned. However, the over-ambitious nature of Scarlett might have pushed every man and woman close to her away, and this also happened to Rhett. She never thought she felt the way she did until the day he decided to call it quits. The story of Scarlett O’Hara ends as she vows to get back the only man she might have loved (Snodgrass 239). In conclusion, women in history faced trials and challenges that made them suffer just as much as the people fighting for equal rights for all men. Scarlett was just an example of what every man and woman despised. However, she was the kind of woman every man wanted to be with and what every woman wanted to be. The timing may not have been perfect, but every woman reading the story of Scarlett O’Hara wanted to change the manner in which they lived for the better (Alberghene and Clark 78). Women all around the world can attest to the fact that there was a need for more women like Scarlett O’Hara. This was so as to pave the way for an equal playing field for all people in society. Scarlett was the embodiment of woman power, and could be a role model for many women who needs to get to where they want to be, especially in the face of adversity. She is a representative of courageous, head-strong, and ambitious women who want more, and it is only by going for what they want that they will achieve more than what society dictates and/or provides. Works Cited Alberghene, M. Janice and Beverly, L. Clark. Little Women and the Feminist Imagination: Criticism, Controversy, Personal Essays. London: Routledge Publishers, 2014. Print. Gray, Richard. A History of American Literature. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011. Print. Mitchell, Margaret. Gone with the Wind. New York: American Printing Press, 2007. Print. Snodgrass, E. Mary. Encyclopedia of Feminist Literature. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009. Print. Stevens, Hugh. Henry James and Sexuality. London: Macmillan Publishers, 2008. Print. Zeisler, Andi. Feminism and Pop Culture: Seal Studies. New York: Hart Publishing, 2008. Print. Read More