Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Author: Margaret Mitchell

Published: 1936

Novel. 

Takes place in the southern United States in the state of Georgia, during the American Civil War. The novel unfolds against the backdrop of rebellion where in seven southern states, have declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America.

Part I:

April 1861. At the "Tara" plantation, owned by Gerald O'Hara, a lucky Irish immigrant, and his wife, Ellen Robillard O'Hara, who is from a coastal aristocratic family of French descent; their 16-year-old daughter, Scarlett is not beautiful, but men seldom realize it once they were caught up in her charm. It was the day before the men were called to war.

Part II:

Aunt Pittypat is living with Melanie in Atlanta and invites Scarlett to stay with them. In Atlanta, Scarlett's spirits revive, and she is busy with hospital work and sewing circles for the Confederate army. Scarlett encounters Rhett Butler at the benefit dance for the Confederate, and he is dresses like a dandy. Although he believes the war is a lost cause, he is blockade running for the profit. 

Men must bid for a dance with a lady, and Rhett bids for a dance with Scarlett. 

Everyone is shocked that Rhett would bid for Scarlett, the widow still dresses in black. 

Part III: 

The war is going badly for the Confederacy. Atlanta is besieged from three sides; the city becomes desperate and hundreds of wounded Confederate soldiers pour in. Melanie goes into labor with only Scarlett to assist, as all the doctors are attending the soldiers. 

Prissy, a young slave, cries out in despair and fear. 

Melanie gives birth to a boy, Beau, and now they must scurry for refuge. Scarlett tells Prissy to go find Rhett, but she is afraid. Finally, Prissy finds Rhett and Scarlett begs him to take her, Wade, Melanie, Beau and Prissy to Tara. Rhett laughs at the idea but steals a horse and a wagon, and they follow the army out of Atlanta. 

Part way to Tara, Rhett abandons Scarlett to enlist in the army. Scarlett makes her way to Tara, where she is welcomed by her father. But things are not as Scarlett remembers them. 

Part IV:

Life at Tara slowly begins to recover when new taxes are levied on Tara. Scarlett knows only one man with enough money to help. She looks for Rhett in Atlanta, only to learn he is in jail. Leaving the jailhouse, she runs into Frank Kennedy, who runs a store in Atlanta and is betrothed to Scarlett's sister, Suellen. Realizing Frank also has money, Scarlett hatches a plot and tells Frank that Suellen will not marry him. Frank succumbs to Scarlett's charms and he marries her two weeks later knowing he has done something romantic and exciting for the first time in his life. Always wanting her to be happy and radiant, Frank gives Scarlett the money to pay the taxes. 

Characters: 

Katie Scarlett (O'Hara) Hamilton Kennedy Butler

Rhett K. Butler

George Ashley Wilkes

Melanie (Hamilton) Wilkes

Ellen (Robinson) O'Hara

Gerald O'Hara

Susan Elinor (Suellen) O'Hara

Caroline Irene (Carreen) O'Hara

O'Hara Boys

Charles Hamilton

Wade Hampton Hamilton

Frank Kennedy