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Gone with the Wind
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June/July 2019 - Gone With the Wind - Part 2 Discussion (thru 06/24/19)
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message 51:
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Tom
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rated it 5 stars
Jun 23, 2019 02:38PM
Connie, I like your interpretations/descriptions! I agree! I’m ready to start part three too! Tom
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Connie wrote: "Rhett's behaviour towards Melanie and Aunt Pitty is so "Gentlemanly" despite his supposed contempt for the southern way when speaking to Scarlett. So for those just finishing part 2 is Rhett's beha..."I think that what Rhett respects is integrity. Melanie truly believes in the southern way of life and the propriety of a woman's place in it and she lives her truth. I think he is extravagantly courteous to Miss Pitty only as a way to gain access to Scarlett, but he truly respects Melanie.
Daniel wrote: "Although I enjoy this lively discussion about Margaret Mitchell, I think, for the preservation of internal analysis, there should be a separate forum, possibly one labeled "post reading", for topic..."I am not exactly sure what you mean by "internal analysis" and I can't find any reference to the phrase on line except in connection with business organizations.
I just want to say that for me, all art is a conversation. Art has no meaning outside of its real world context and as the world changes, the meaning of a work of art changes.
In my opinion the discussions of how GWTW does or does not reflect the reality of its time setting or the time of its publication and what the book means to readers in today's world are some of the most interesting parts of this conversation.
I did not know the publisher had made that demand. However, for me, my view of GWTW would not have shifted even without the edits. Fair to say African-American's are not depicted in a true light of the period but I have always seen this book as more of a "coming of age" story than any substantive testament to the Civil War.
If we are going to read classics, I think it is necessary to read them as they were written when they were written rather than how they would be written today. That is to say, we need to shed our present day views, beliefs and mores and step back into a bygone time.
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I agree. This is why a classic is worth reading. Enjoy Reading, 📚
Chris, I read your post and it makes sense to me. Thanks : you cleats my doubt.Tom
Yes Chris I have to agree that though I was enjoying looking at the book through a critical lens, I was finding it harder to get into the characters. Thanks for the reminder.
La Tonya, Tom, Connie... Even in "darker" classics I find a joyfulness in the writing that is sadly lacking from many of today's books. The political correctness which has overtaken much of society (and yes, I do agree it has its place) sadly has cast a pall over a venue which was never intended to be political but rather an escape / exploration of other times and places
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Daniel wrote: "I feel like it is a testimony to the writing if these characters are provoking us in the year 2019."Most definitely! :-)
Daniel wrote: "Although I enjoy this lively discussion about Margaret Mitchell, I think, for the preservation of internal analysis, there should be a separate forum, possibly one labeled "post reading", for topic..."I agree. Reading it for the first time, I don't want to be prejudiced at all, and be able to kind of make a decision that's not colored in any way by other clients (definitely npi). That said, I do like how many diff perspectives and opinions there are, it's fun!
Chris wrote: "If we are going to read classics, I think it is necessary to read them as they were written when they were written rather than how they would be written today. That is to say, we need to shed our p..."💯 agreed, and since this book takes place in such a different social climate I feel like it's only fair to a well-written book to be reading w the knowledge that times were different. I've tried to find out as much as possible abt the south back then so that I don't get angry bc I'm ignorant on the way ppl lived but it's still hard to not cringe when they call ppl "darkies". At least ik it wasn't a slur back then like it would be today. (If ppl even use that word anymore...?)
But as for the bk, Scarlett bugged me throughout part two and Rhett wasn't much better, just less easily provoked. I can't believe she throws herself at Ashley's head so unashamedly. She wasn't raised like this and it surprises me how quiet her conscience is sometimes! It's odd that for growing up in such a moralistic society that she wouldn't be highly disturbed by her inappropriate behavior. Even if she can't get over her love for Ashley, she could at least do what she could to spend the least amt of time around him. Instead she looks for ways to be alone w him! She doesn't try at all and it makes me so fed up w her, even if she is only 16 (this is more abt part one I guess, not sm part two lol).
Mary wrote: "Hi Daniel, I think your analysis of Rhett is accurate. He does do slimy things for personal gain. I'm wondering why we take issue with what Rhett is doing when everyone in this book is morally corr..."Having grown up in the deep south myself in the fifties and sixties, I think the way Mitchell describes slavery is very representative of the myth that the white community told themselves about slavery. I remember my fourth grade state history book said that slaves were mostly happy with their lives. My older brother read that and told me not to believe it. I became fully aware of the evils of slavery when I came across a volume of the slave narratives at the library. The former slaves almost universally had been separated from their mothers at a very young age.
I just completed the read of GWTW! Thank you for the recommendation. Glory to the reread!I read this novel when I was 13. It opened the door to a life-long interest in the Civil War. Now, in my older age, I see the inner conflicts and understand the difficult tasks Mitchell must have faced in the writing. I used to say the film was better than the book. I was wrong. Ten stars!
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The cotton empire of the South played such a vital role in their social ranking system for blacks, whites, rich and poor. I don't think Southerners could even fathom a world without their cash crop and slave labor. It's like their devotion was fueled by their fear of the unknown.
La Tonya, it was amazing to read the historical background to the Battle of Atlanta. The gave it so much bravery and dedication. The war took everything from everyone.
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I completely agree. Enjoy Reading, La Tonya 📚
