My comments on Scarlett’s characteristics from Gone with the wind:

Gone with the wind, one of the most popular American novels, written by American female writer Margaret Mitchell, is a romance and a meditation of changes happening during the American civil war and reconstruction. As protagonist in this novel, Scarlett, is the most controversial character acknowledged by countless commentators and critics over the past years. Independent, passionate, persistent, but also selfish and vain, with simultaneous desire for the Southern gentleman Ashley and the opportunistic New Southerner Rhett, Scarlett undergoes a series of happiness, sorrow, gatherings and departure, which gives us a general and comprehensive picture of her conflicting and complex features. Her famous word “After all, tomorrow is another day.” (Gone with the wind, 166) has been well-known almost to everyone.

Firstly, an analysis of the characteristics of Scarlett will be presented.1) Perseverance in pursuit of love. Blind and innocent, Scarlett is drawn to Ashley, offering her self-sacrificing and pure love during her youth since “that day two years ago when Ashley, newly home from his three year’s Grand Tour in Europe, hand called to pay his respects”. 2) Independence of mind. In an early age, naughty Scarlett has separated herself from other girls of her age for being fond of climbing trees and playing outside, rather than be a well-bred and gentle girl staying at home as her mother teaches. Scarlett‘s independence also reflects on her strength and intelligence of running business alone, which is proved to be more successful than her husband. Her outstanding ability exceeds him, putting her weak, incompetent husband to shame.  3) With the outbreak of the Civil War, confronted with the danger and death all of a sudden, from a carefree teenager girl who’s only keen on dancing and her Ashley, Scarlett turns into a mature woman over one night by delivering Melanie’s baby, escorting both to Tara and rebuilding Tara, including picking cottons on her own in order to live. 4) Attitude of realism. Her realistic character is displayed both on her spiritual life and material life. Scarlet clings to artistically and musically talented Ashley but later she totally changes her view as soon as she discovered his cowardice and decadence, indicating realistic aspect in her character. 5) Selfishness and coldness. Scarlett’s selfishness and coldness are not only reflected upon her attempts to get Ashley in any means, but also demonstrated fully when she is in need of money. She reveals her love for Ashley time and time again and is eager to get Ashley on her own behalf.

The reasons causing her characteristics consist of both external reason and internal reason. The influence of American local culture and civil war has greatly shaped her courage, passion and strong will. In addition, attention should also be paid to the internal factor that Scarlett inherits some traits from her Irish father Gerald, and at the same time, her gracious and calm French-American mother Ellen.

In all, this book covers detailed description of American civil war and Scarlett’s life and love change, through which her characteristic have been fully presented. Scarlett is a great female in my eyes for her endless charms shinning from both appearance and inner heart, and this is a great master piece which is deserved to be read.