Gone With The Wind Analysis
Gone with the Wind has been listed as the second most popular book read by Americans, only second to the Bible. It is possible to say that the movie from 1939, starring Vivian Leigh and Clark Gable, is easily just as popular. What sets this film apart from other historical fictions is its presentation. Gone with the Wind is unique in that it shows the Civil War, and the events that follow, from the Great Southern perspective. What may stand out more to history buffs as unique is the telling of the story through that of strong, feminist protagonist, Scarlett O’Hara. Gone with the Wind chronicles the controversial life of Scarlett while covering such topics as women’s role during the war and their social status to the effects of racism in the
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When taxes are raised by Northern carpetbaggers after the war, she goes so far as to even work the land herself and tossing clay into the face of the previous overseer when he wanted to buy the land from her. Her pride keeps her and her sisters alive as she refuses to quit, saying “As God as my witness, I’ll never go hungry again!”
Gone with the Wind leaves viewers with mixed messages. Overall, it is hard to look past the many flaws of Gone with the Wind. Its plot and themes balance carefully on a scale. Not many movies can be called both one of the most racist movies ever filmed and one of the greatest movies ever made. Some may call the depiction of blacks realistic but many including myself call it racist.
While I cannot turn a blind eye to the racism of Gone with the Wind, I still call it one of my favorite movies. I read the book Gone with the Wind and watched the movie initially when I was about Scarlett’s age at the start of the film. She somehow blossomed into a bratty young thing I rooted against into a clever, unapologetic, and brave young woman I aspired to be like. While there are strong women characters such as Scarlett and Melanie, black women shown in the film are not given the same privilege. This leaves me wanting to say that there are some feminist views expressed but this cannot be called a feminist movie. Gone with the Wind leaves viewers asking when is it acceptable to cross the line of overlooking racism in a
When taxes are raised by Northern carpetbaggers after the war, she goes so far as to even work the land herself and tossing clay into the face of the previous overseer when he wanted to buy the land from her. Her pride keeps her and her sisters alive as she refuses to quit, saying “As God as my witness, I’ll never go hungry again!”
Gone with the Wind leaves viewers with mixed messages. Overall, it is hard to look past the many flaws of Gone with the Wind. Its plot and themes balance carefully on a scale. Not many movies can be called both one of the most racist movies ever filmed and one of the greatest movies ever made. Some may call the depiction of blacks realistic but many including myself call it racist.
While I cannot turn a blind eye to the racism of Gone with the Wind, I still call it one of my favorite movies. I read the book Gone with the Wind and watched the movie initially when I was about Scarlett’s age at the start of the film. She somehow blossomed into a bratty young thing I rooted against into a clever, unapologetic, and brave young woman I aspired to be like. While there are strong women characters such as Scarlett and Melanie, black women shown in the film are not given the same privilege. This leaves me wanting to say that there are some feminist views expressed but this cannot be called a feminist movie. Gone with the Wind leaves viewers asking when is it acceptable to cross the line of overlooking racism in a