Literary Review of Gone with the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell Essay Example
Literary Review of Gone with the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell Essay Example

Literary Review of Gone with the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell Essay Example

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Is it feasible for an inexperienced young girl to manage a farm without any assistance and triumph despite the ongoing war? The novel Gone with the Wind, authored by Margaret Mitchell, illustrates the challenges faced by Scarlett O'Hara as she tries to adapt to her life during the American Civil War.

Despite starting off as a carefree and lighthearted young girl, Scarlett O'Hara became a hardheaded and persevering woman due to the transformation of circumstances. The responsibilities and troubles brought on by the war had rendered her cynical and bitter. Previously, she had led a comfortable life filled with parties, dinners, and the constant attention of young admirers before the Civil War began. Her sole ambition at that time was to win the heart of Ashley, the man she wished to wed.

Scarlett O'Hara's single-minde

...

d focus was on land, instilled in her by her father who believed it was the only thing of true value. Despite this wisdom, Scarlett's infatuation with Ashley blinded her to rationality and she saw marrying him as the only measure of success. Her narrow worldview was shaped by her limited experiences in life. However, the onset of the Civil War and her father's failing health quickly shattered her illusions and plunged her into a world of endless challenges. She was forced to take charge of her own destiny and prevent her world from collapsing.

Scarlett O'Hara considered it crucial to run the farm, earn money, and provide food. This led her to develop remarkable fortitude and persistence. Although she had previously relied on a slave for dressing and feeding, she now had to handle everything on her own. She matured rapidly and

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accomplished her goals, as giving up was not an alternative.

The Civil War brought about a permanent shift in the way of thinking in the South, as Yankee soldiers caused widespread destruction by looting and pillaging entire communities. Families were harassed and farms stripped bare, with Scarlett O'Hara herself experiencing this firsthand through demands for food from Yankee officers and an attack on a nearby city. Despite these hardships, her unwavering determination and strength of character allowed her to persevere and keep her family alive.

Despite enduring the challenges of the Civil War, O'Hara was unwavering in her commitment to shield herself and her family from Yankee forces while striving to endure the conflict. Her encounters with despair, sorrow, and difficulty transformed her once optimistic disposition. Previously willing to make sacrifices for love, she now prioritized self-preservation, boldly declaring: "As God is my witness, they're not going to slick me."

O'Hara made a firm declaration of her determination to persevere and conquer the challenge of hunger. She pledged to take any necessary measures, including unethical or aggressive actions, to prevent herself and her loved ones from ever suffering from famine again. O'Hara has remained steadfast in her objective since the war: to maintain her family's existence and propel them forward into the future. Having observed countless families succumb to their inability to provide for themselves during the conflict, she refused to let hers meet that same fate.

The experiences Scarlett O'Hara had during her life were the sole focus of her attention. These events ultimately molded her personality. As a young girl, she was carefree and dreamt of her future. However, the harsh reality of the Civil War dashed

those dreams and shattered her once optimistic spirit. The challenges her family endured compelled Scarlett O'Hara to work tirelessly to provide for them. Although she succeeded in this regard, her personality was irrevocably transformed.

The traumas of Scarlett's life had completely shaped her personality, leaving her with bitterness and a pragmatic view. Love and compassion no longer resided in her heart due to the harsh realities and turmoil she had witnessed.

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