1. Introduction to the topic
The following paper tries to introduce one of the most remarkable American novels of the 20th century and its most outstanding character Scarlett O’Hara. Gone with the Wind was written by Margaret Mitchell and was published in 1936. It is a novel that combines the events of the 19th century American Civil War with the story of Scarlett O’Hara, her family, her friends and her foes. It was followed by a film that was released in 1939 and two authorized sequels which were published in 1991 and 2007.
Gone with the Wind plays in the Old American South and also reflects a Southern point of view of the events of the Civil War. It begins when Scarlett is 16 years old and ends when she is 28. The paper will try to give an insight to the character of Scarlett and will try to analyze what Scarlett stands for or if she stands for anything more than herself in the novel and the film.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction to the topic
2 The Old South
3 Gone With the Wind – the novel
4 Gone With the Wind – the film
5 The Character of Scarlett
5.1 Scarlett’s character development
5.2 Scarlett’s character according to the other characters
5.3 Scarlett’s character according to the narrator
5.4 Depiction of Scarlett in the film
6 Differences of Scarlett in the novel and the film
7 Conclusion
7.1 Works Cited
Objectives and Research Focus
The primary objective of this paper is to conduct a comparative analysis of the character Scarlett O’Hara as depicted in Margaret Mitchell’s 1936 novel "Gone with the Wind" and the 1939 film adaptation. The work examines how her personality traits, development, and motivations are conveyed through textual narration versus cinematic techniques.
- Analysis of Scarlett O’Hara’s character arc and development.
- Comparison of literary narrative techniques and cinematic devices (lighting, close-ups).
- Examination of the "Old South" context and its influence on character representation.
- Evaluation of how Scarlett is perceived by other characters and the narrator.
- Investigation into the adaptation process and changes in character portrayal between novel and film.
Excerpt from the Book
5.1 Scarlett’s character development
Women in the Old South should carry particular habits and attitudes. They were supposed to be charming and ladylike and obeying their husbands, according to the decorum. It becomes clear in the first few chapters that Scarlett is not one of that type of women. Scarlett often challenges the traditional role of women in the novel. She has her own mind and does not see herself as different from men and she does not feel like behaving different in front of them:
I’m tired of everlastingly being unnatural and never doing anything I want to do…I’m tired of saying ‘How wonderful you are!’ to fool men who haven’t got one-half the sense I’ve got, and I’m tired of pretending I don’t know anything, so men can tell me things and feel important while they’re doing it… (94)
The passage not only shows Scarlett’s attitude towards men and female behaviour, but also her attitude in general. She is self-confident and strong-headed, but also egocentric. The reader can follow the development of Scarlett’s character according to what other characters say and think about her as well as the 3rd person narrator.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction to the topic: This chapter introduces the novel, the film, and the core focus on the analysis of Scarlett O’Hara’s character.
2 The Old South: This section provides historical and cultural context regarding the "Old South," framing the environment in which the novel’s plot is set.
3 Gone With the Wind – the novel: An overview of the structure and narrative style of Margaret Mitchell’s original work is provided.
4 Gone With the Wind – the film: This chapter discusses the 1939 film production, its reception, and its distinct structural differences compared to the source material.
5 The Character of Scarlett: A comprehensive analysis of Scarlett O’Hara’s personality, focusing on her selfishness and her response to life’s challenges.
5.1 Scarlett’s character development: Explores how Scarlett challenges traditional gender roles and her evolution throughout the narrative.
5.2 Scarlett’s character according to the other characters: Examines the perceptions of Scarlett held by secondary characters like Rhett, Melanie, and her family.
5.3 Scarlett’s character according to the narrator: Analyzes the narrator's perspective and their role in revealing Scarlett's inner state and true motivations.
5.4 Depiction of Scarlett in the film: Details how the director utilizes lighting, close-ups, and costume choices to visually represent Scarlett's character.
6 Differences of Scarlett in the novel and the film: Highlights how plot abbreviations and medium-specific constraints lead to different portrayals of Scarlett's motherhood and personality.
7 Conclusion: Summarizes the final assessment of Scarlett O’Hara as a complex, strong-willed, but fundamentally flawed character.
7.1 Works Cited: Lists the academic and secondary sources used to support the analysis.
Keywords
Scarlett O’Hara, Gone with the Wind, Margaret Mitchell, Old South, Character Analysis, Comparative Literature, Film Adaptation, Gender Roles, Narrator Perspective, Cinematic Techniques, Civil War, Personality Development, Southern Myth, Adaption, Visual Depiction
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper focuses on an in-depth character study of Scarlett O'Hara, contrasting her literary portrayal in Margaret Mitchell’s novel with her cinematic representation in the 1939 film.
Which thematic areas are covered?
The themes include the cultural mythology of the Old South, gender dynamics, personal ambition vs. societal expectations, and the evolution of character through trauma and hardship.
What is the main research objective?
The study aims to determine what Scarlett O'Hara symbolizes and how her character remains consistent or deviates between the novel and the film adaptation.
What research methods are employed?
The author uses a qualitative, comparative literary and film analysis, drawing on textual evidence from the novel and analyzing cinematic devices like lighting and shot composition.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body examines Scarlett’s character development, her interpersonal relationships, the narrator's interpretation of her motives, and specific filmic techniques used to portray her emotions.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include Scarlett O'Hara, character analysis, comparative study, film adaptation, the Old South, gender roles, and personality evolution.
How does the film adaptation differ from the novel regarding Scarlett's portrayal?
The film simplifies some plotlines—such as reducing her number of children—which alters the audience's perception of her character, and relies on visual cues like lighting rather than a narrator's internal insights.
What role does the "Old South" play in the characterization of Scarlett?
The "Old South" provides the societal framework against which Scarlett rebels; her struggles are defined by her effort to survive within or outside the constraints of that lost civilization.
How is Scarlett's use of the phrase "I'll think of it later" significant?
This phrase is highlighted as a primary defense mechanism that illustrates Scarlett's avoidance of difficult emotional realities and her determination to prioritize survival over self-reflection.
What is the author's final verdict on Scarlett O'Hara?
The author concludes that while Scarlett is a strong, resilient female role model for her time, she is simultaneously a flawed and often "horrible" human being due to her lack of interpersonal empathy.
- Quote paper
- Jennifer Koss (Author), 2008, "Gone with the Wind" – Scarlett O’Hara in the novel and the film, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/148935
