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Gone with the Wind
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Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (A. Monique & Angus). Start Date: October 17, Monday
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Day 17: 42, 43, 44The South is slowly rebuilding. A new beginning, so to speak, and with this comes baby Ella, who is a little disappointing to Scarlett. She lacked the charm that her mother has, but maybe that's a good thing.
Scarlett's set of business ethics is bordering on ruthlessness. I don't have any qualms on leasing convicts because I think some convicts deserve a chance at getting back, like Archie. But leasing convicts should be as humane as possible. They should be fed properly. They should not be exploited. But that is not the case in Scarlett's sawmills.
Sooner or later, she'll get into trouble for this one. And she does, but not because of that. She was attacked on the road. Had it not been for Big Sam, she would have been, uhm, ravished?
A.Monique: But is Archie your hubby as caustic as Archie the ex-convict? I just can't imagine you drinking Starbucks with the latter, hahaha.
Day 18: 45, 46, 47Scarlett's ambush causes a great commotion among the Confederates, now the Ku Klux Klan. They may have nothing in common with Scarlett, but she being a Southern woman, the men have a need to avenge her disgrace. Which is not so disgraceful because she already did a lot of things that can only make one wonder how she can still manage to face people.
The short and the long of it is that yes, the problem is taken care of, Scarlett's attackers are punished, but not without losses because of the Yankee intervention. Ashley is shot but alive, Frank is shot too but didn't survive. Rhett comes up a plan to cover for the men. The plan works, thanks to the complicity of Belle Watling, the "bad" woman, and Rhett's relationship with the Yankee officers.
The Atlanta men and women are forever indebted to Rhett for helping them, and their wrath for Scarlett is now incalculable. And what a way to end Part IV: Rhett and Scarlett get married! Finally! But this is not a marriage spun with true love. I am starting to believe that Rhett truly loves Scarlett.
And Scarlett, when will you ever learn to love?
A.Monique: Konti na lang ito. Go go go!
Day 18: 45, 46, 47I can't believe how, during those times, the Ku Klux Klan would be made up of respectable Southerners such as Ashley, Frank, Dr. Meade, and their contemporaries. The Klan still exists to this day, and although times have since changed, their anti-negro activities have not.
As I was reading the part where Scarlett
So, Rhett becomes Husband #3. But despite his declarations to the contrary, I think Rhett does love Scarlett, and he merely endlessly torments her as defense mechanism, knowing somebody else owns (supposedly) Scarlett's heart. He just loves Scarlett that much that he's asking her to marry him despite knowing that his feelings aren't reciprocated. And if I'm right that Rhett really loves Scarlett, then it is the purest love of all, for the simple reason that he loves her despite whatever and whoever she is, was, or will turn out to be.
ANGUS: Aw. Mushy. Haha!
Day 19: 48, 49, 50, 51So many things going on! After the marriage, you can only expect a honeymoon. The not so new couple spent theirs at New Orleans, an even wilder city than Atlanta. And speaking of the latter, is something waiting for Scarlett once she returns to it?
Only her sawmills, because Atlanta people are still angry at Scarlett for the problems that she caused. But instead of people uniting against her, they are taking sides because Melanie defends her loyally. Anyone who goes against Scarlett also goes against Melanie.
Which is quite a problem because Melanie is the nucleus of the Atlanta society. What a powerful woman for someone who is so frail.
And yes, we all know Scarlett's hatred for babies, but one should see this coming. Come to think of it, Scarlett's children have no impact in the novel's twists and turns. They are just mere designs, mostly because Scarlett was never really a mother to them.
Instead of taking care of the kids, she busies herself with earning more money and showing it to the poor Atlanta people's face. She now owns the grandest mansion in town, one that is barely a home.
And will there be a loving family in such a mansion if Scarlett continues to nurse her feelings for Ashley and Rhett seeks female companionship out of jealousy? Can we really point our fingers to either one of them?
A.Monique: I just realized now that our thread has been going on for a month! Hahaha. But yes, you are almost there! I hope this novel hasn't dragged you too much. :D
Day 19: 48, 49, 50, 51Rhett's image just upped a notch in these chapters, for me. I always admire a man who is devoted and who adores his children, especially those who know how to handle their quirks - in Rhett's case, when Wade had been asking about his mother and if Rhett truly meant what he said when he was Rhett's "son". That was so very touching, my heart melted. :)
Evidently, Scarlett married Rhett only for his money, as can be seen in the way she spent it left and right. But Rhett, despite the way he's been acting, is in love with Scarlett. I'm almost sure of it, despite what he said about taking care of his "investment" in the person of Scarlett.
Trouble in paradise so soon? Why can't Scarlett just wake up from her schoolgirl infatuation over Ashley? Hay naku. Magsama kayong dalawa.
ANGUS: Haha, I noticed. I meant to post this yesterday but I had sooo many errands, so there. Last few chapters! ;)
Day 20: 52, 53, 54Finally, Scarlett took a whipping from Rhett because of her Ashley-infatuation. Apart from Rhett being a model father to Bonnie and stepfather to Wade, he has shown the indiscreet Scarlett the error of her ways. Yes, he used cruel words and insulted her terribly, but, again, Scarlett deserved no less. And even if the uncompromising position in which she and Ashley had been found by India and Archie was no more than they thought it was, I thought that Scarlett had it a long time coming. Finally, her coquettish ways have boomeranged on her.
I think I can understand where Rhett is coming from. He's using harsh words and insults to make Scarlett feel his fury, jealousy, and yes, even pain. And I hope that before the book ends, Scarlett realizes how fortunate she has been and make amends with Rhett.
ANGUS: Just checking in! :D
Day 20: 52, 53, 54Rhett is changing his ways and doing his best to win the hearts of the Atlanta people, all because of his daughter Bonnie. Sweet, and it is paying off. People are starting to adore Rhett for his fathering ways. But Scarlett is a different story.
And speaking of Scarlett, she gets caught with a quite intimate talk with Ashley. Which is funny because this is the time she realized that she does not really love Ashley as a man. But it's too late. She has to face people who are most likely talking about her infidelity at her back, and the worst of all is facing Melanie.
But Melanie dismisses all the talk about Ashley and Scarlett, even going as far as waging an open war against India, the embittered sister of Ashley who caught him and Scarlett, just to defend Scarlett. And of course, Rhett's ears did not escape the scandal of the season. He rages at Scarlett, who is helpless with her defenses.
And they spend the night making the most passionate love ever. I think.
A.Monique: Oops, sorry I was "away". I've been busy with random stuff. Gyaaah! And yippee! We are almost done! Expect more explosive things to come!
Day 21: 55, 56, 57, 58 I hate Scarlett, but not to the point when she had to have an accident, sustain broken ribs and suffer a miscarriage. Not even Scarlett deserved that. On the other hand, I still couldn't bring myself to blame Rhett for what happened. He had all the right in the world to be angry at his wife, and it was just in his constitution to utter hateful things to make Scarlett feel his wrath. Or maybe I just like Rhett's character too much? Haha. :)
The decision for Scarlett to spend some time in Tara to recover was a good idea. I had hoped that when she came back, fully recuperated, her relationship with Rhett would change, but I guess that's too much to ask for.
Ashley's refusal to use the convicts for the mills is the only thing about him that bears my stamp of approval. And Scarlett's insistence that she's happy with her money – money earned from convict labor – only goes to show that she only cares about material things and proves how shallow she is. Why, didn't she marry Rhett for his money and the security that it offered?
Rhett and Bonnie are a wonderful pair. Scarlett ought to be jealous. I couldn't even fathom why Scarlett, being the mother, isn't as close to her daughter as is expected, or normal. Scarlett has so much to learn about life, and it doesn't look like the war has made her any better!
ANGUS: Last five chapters! Oh boy, oh boy! :D
Day 22: 59, 60, 61, 62, 63 I feel for Rhett. If I were in his place, I'd certainly lose my mind! Having to bury a child is something I do not want to experience, ever.
Scarlett still feels so detached from everything. Is she really Bonnie's mother? I've finished reading the book, and in hindsight, the only redeeming factor of Scarlett's that I could think of was the part when she helped a sick Melanie and a newborn Beau get home to Tara in the heat of the war. Oh, but even that was tainted with a hidden agenda - Scarlett did it all for Ashley, and not out of the goodness of her heart.
My heart breaks more for Rhett than for Scarlett - imagine having a wife for all those years but not really having her. You know? It's like what they always say, so close and yet so far. How can Rhett truly own Scarlett when she is still so infatuated with Ashley, so she fails to see how much Rhett truly loved her? And when that love fizzled out, as it did, she had no one to blame but herself.
I loved the ending! It was not what I expected, but I loved it nonetheless. I want to pity Scarlett, but I can't. She brought everything upon herself.
And Melanie, I admire the woman.
ANGUS: Thank you for bearing with me! At last, we're done. My review is up. Til the next book! :D
Day 21: 55, 56, 57, 58Okay, so Scarlett is pregnant again. Rhett does not know it yet because he left as soon as he could after their fiery lovemaking. And that moment sowed uhm, healthy seeds, into Scarlett's...
But enough of that. Remember that Scarlett doesn't really like babies? Oddly, she's a tad excited to tell Rhett about it. But when Rhett came, months after, she is again mocked. He even told her that she might as well have a miscarriage. Which did happen right at that very instant.
And I love how Rhett confessed everything he feels for Scarlett to Melanie, Atlanta's BFF. We see Rhett in his weakness. We never thought that Rhett can be so consumed of guilt, but here he is, blaming himself for the accident.
Ah. This is true love!
But life goes on. Rhett connives with Melanie to have Ashley buy the sawmills from Scarlett. I wonder how the novel would sound like if it were told in first person, in the eyes of Rhett. I really want to know what he thinks and how he feels for Melanie.
A.Monique: Let's do this! I'll finish my inputs as well. :D
Day 22: 59, 60, 61, 62, 63Explosive chapters. A lot of things going on. And it should only be expected. We are near the climax.
This novel is categorized by most as romance. And forgive me if I have this childish notion that romances are supposed to be sealed with a kiss.
So I guess this isn't the standard romance that women would read and talk about in their little circles, giggling like they were in high school.
I almost feel that I was left hanging. Almost because I'm still satisfied. It's just that I couldn't really get the feel of the last few pages because my mind is stuck at Melanie's house. Is it really that way with people that have beautiful intentions?
If the novel is not that long and we were only given a few glimpses of Melanie's kind actions toward everyone, I wouldn't be devastated. Just thinking about the near-end makes me sad.
And yes, who would give a damn to a woman like Scarlett? Certainly not our Rhett who did everything that he could to make the woman fall for her. But there she is with her strong will and her hard habits. She doesn't have anyone now. She realizes that in the dream where she is shrouded in mist, it is Rhett that she is looking for. But it is too late. And I hear Scarlett telling her this: After all, tomorrow is another day!
A.Monique: Congratulations to both of us! This has been a humongous read. :D
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Day 17: 42, 43, 44
Poor Ella Lorena, having Scarlett for a mother.
Another very witty and sarcastic conversation between Rhett and Scarlett, in which the former simply trumps the latter. Rhett's arguments about Ashley, on why he pities Ashley (because he should already be dead!) and why he was so resentful knowing that Scarlett has taken Ashley under her employ are all very well taken. Scarlett is just too stupid and too in love - can she be really??? - with Ashley that she fails to see him for what he's worth - or not.
On the other hand, there's a chapter where Rhett reveals more about his personal life to Scarlett, shedding light on why he is what he is. And there's another part - I forget which one - where Scarlett once more showed how stupid and tonta she is. Ah, these are the chapters I love most in the novel! She wasn't even remotely aware of what Amendment has been the subject of the negroes' upheavals!
Finally, Scarlett's greed for money has taken a new low: "leasing" convicts to work in the sawmills. Plus, the fact that she had already discovered the brutalities of Johnnie, and yet, she was merely going to shave off $20 from his salary for having stolen and sold the supplies, shows just how selfish she is. If you ask me, she's more cruel to those men than Johnnie.
I couldn't stop smiling every time I read about Archie, the white ex-con whom Melanie sent to Scarlett and who later became her and several other ladies' chauffeur. It's because Archie is my husband's name too. Haha. :)
ANGUS: Konting-konti na lang, tapos na ako! Haha! :)