The time has finally come: I have finished reading Gone with the Wind!! Today I share my thoughts on the fifth and final installment in this classic American novel. Feel free to catch up with any of my previous posts in this series by clicking here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4. It’s been a long journey, but it was definitely worth it!
Be aware that the “Thoughts” section may contain spoilers, but the “Overall” section will be spoiler-free!
- p. 863: Melanie is so loyal to Scarlett! I’m glad someone in Atlanta still has Scarlett’s back, especially after the big mess with the Ku Klux Klan and Frank’s death. Why can’t the rest of Atlanta see that Rhett saved their men from the Yankees? Will they ever come to accept that fact as reality?
- p. 874: You can already see the money changing Scarlett for the worse. Oh, I don’t know if this is going to end well!
- p. 882: Scarlett is having ANOTHER baby? Also, I’m not so sure that Scarlett and Rhett have a very healthy relationship…
- p. 888: Awww, Rhett is so good with Wade! He treats him like Wade is his own son.
- p. 891: Bonnie Blue Butler ❤ Such an adorable name!
- p. 926: OH NO, Scarlett and Ashley were caught! But what did they think would happen? Melanie was bound to find out sooner or later!
- p. 937: Rhett is insane!! What if he hurts her?
- p. 944: Everything is falling apart! Now they’re talking about a divorce?! I really hope this book has at least a sort of happy ending!
- p. 979: I think Scarlett has finally realized that all of her money hasn’t made her as happy as she thought initially thought it would.
- p. 982: What irony: Ashley and Rhett working together to break up the Ku Klux Klan in Atlanta!
- p. 991: OH MY GOODNESS, Bonnie died just like Gerald!! That’s so tragic! (And also a bit creepy.) Rhett will be absolutely devastated!
- p. 994: The image of Rhett with Bonnie’s corpse in his bedroom is disturbing. And the way he insist on keeping the lights on because she’s afraid of the dark– is her really in denial that Bonnie is actually dead?
- p. 1016: Scarlett has finally realized that she never actually loved Ashley, only an idealized image of him that she had convinced herself was real.
- p. 1018: I CAN’T BELIEVE MELANIE IS REALLY DEAD.
- p. 1037: AHHHHHH.
“The old days had no glitter but they had a charm, a beauty, a slow-paced glamour.” (p. 924)
This is such a beautiful, elegant description of the nostalgia that consumes Ashley.
“As usual they would cast the blame upon the woman and shrug at the man’s guilt.” (p. 927)
Once again, Mitchell emphasizes the ridiculous gender inequality entrenched in the Southern way of life. I greatly appreciate Mitchell’s direct forthrightness when it comes to addressing this topic, especially regarding the boldness of Scarlett’s character.
“Suddenly it was as if Ellen were lying behind that closed door, leaving the world for a second time.” (p. 1027)
Even in death, it appears as though Melanie is an embodiment of Ellen. In my mind, Melanie is the woman who Ellen probably wished Scarlett would become. I think the juxtaposition between Scarlett and Melanie is absolutely fascinating– it’s definitely a topic that I’ll dive deeper into in the future!
“After all, tomorrow is another day.” (p. 1037)
I can’t imagine a better last line for this novel. It perfectly captures the tone and essence of the story, that life goes on and on despite all of the bad things that are happening. It’s so simple, but so fitting!
Wow. Just, wow. I don’t even really know how to begin explaining my thoughts on the conclusion of this wild, wonderful story. It certainly didn’t end the way I thought (or even hoped) that it would, but I can’t imagine it ending any other way. So much happened within the last 50 pages or so that it still really hasn’t completely sunk in. Overall, I’m thoroughly impressed and astounded by this brilliant novel and I’m so glad that I decided to finally read it this summer!
I’m definitely going to need some time to process everything and form some coherent opinions about this. I plan on posting a full review soon, so stay tuned!
I can’t believe it’s over! What am I going to do now?!?! *cue the inevitable book hangover*
What are your thoughts on Gone with the Wind? Let me know in the comments section below!
Yours,
HOLLY
nut free nerd 
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