Jun 21, 2003 12:18 PM
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(Updated Jun 21, 2003 12:18 PM)
Gone With The Wind was one of the very first adult books I ever read. My parenst gave it to me for my thirteetnth birthday and its bulk was more than a little intimidating.
But there are some books, which captivate you from the very first lines. As a writer I know how extraordinary it is to come up with a great opening line, and so hats off to Margaret Mitchell. the book starts off wiht (and I know this by heart!) ''Scarlett O'Hara was not beautiful, but men seldom noticed it when caught up in her charms like the Tarleton twins were'' Scarlett has got to be one of the most unforgettable women in literature. Every woman wants to be like her, headstrong and ambitious and ruthless to a certain extent.One of literatures earliest feminists hidden behind a soft facade of southern beauty.
There was however one thing I didnt like about the book. The fact that it was written almost entirely from a white veiwpoint of the Civil War. And Mitchell made slavery look so good, with slaves like spoilt children unable to think for themselves.
Despite this though, the character of Mammy, Scarletts nursemaid comes through brilliantly. Mammy is no spoilt child, and she is very much able to look after herself as well as the O'haras as she makes abundantly clear.
As for the men in the novel, Ashley Wilkes(the pretty boy) and Rhett Butler(the strong silent type), its interesting to veiw them as two parts of Scarletts character, Ashley appeals to her inbred southern character, full of bows and hand kisses, while Rhett is that part of her which she is trying to subdue, her strong animally sexual side.
(sorry, I used to be an english student!!!)
I never had much patience for ever sweet Melanie however. She just annoyed me no end. But there are times in the novel well I felt like shaking Scarlett and saying, ''Listen to her, damn you!!! life will be easier!!''
Thats my spin on it, read the book!!!
