Characterizations—ME

Do you think that Gone With the Wind is Wuthering Heights but written with a happy ending, i.e. survival and growing experience for Scarlett/Catherine?

faith4faith wrote:

I think both Rhett and Scarlett were very self-serving. They didn't do anything unless they got something out of it in return. I do think Rhett was looking for someone to love him, but he picked the wrong girl if he wanted that! He knew fully what Scarlett was like when they were married. If he expected her to change, that was his undoing. She wasn't going to change just as much as he wasn't going to change. Their problem was that they were both so wholly alike!
I will admit, the movie Rhett is much more charismatic than the book Rhett. Clark Gable portrayed Rhett Butler as the dashing southern gentleman who was scorned by love, but in the book, Rhett really is the scoundrel Scarlett proclaims him to be.
I do think that by the end of the story Rhett had just played the game long enough. He grew tired of it, and there was no prize for winning, be that love, or just the satisfaction of having won.

o2bqueen wrote:

Thanks, Faith. :-)) Yes, I didn't realize until after making the palette how drawn I am to such strong and independent characters. Guess my rebel spirit has always prevailed!!! However, I disagree with you on the Rhett & Scarlett thing. I think Rhett, in the beginning, was indeed attracted to Scarlett because she was a challenge. But I also think that, over time, he grew to love her deeply and passionately. Even despite all her rejections, he stood by her. He also stayed married to her for many years and loved his daughter wholeheartedly. When she died, it tore him apart, leaving him a much more sensitive and aware man. I think, with Ashley's death, he realized that Scarlett was never going change (as validated by her final line) and would never return his love. So, in an act of self-preservation, he left her. He finally abandoned his hope that she would change and, having evolved into a wiser, more tender person, he couldn't stand by and support her any longer. She had trampled on his feelings for the very last time. And so, when he said his famous line, he he was telling her he would never again let her hurt or reject him. And I think that was took remarkable courage.
So, what do you think of that interpretation?

I think both Rhett and Scarlett were very self-serving. They didn't do anything unless they got something out of it in return. I do think Rhett was looking for someone to love him, but he picked the wrong girl if he wanted that! He knew fully what Scarlett was like when they were married. If he expected her to change, that was his undoing. She wasn't going to change just as much as he wasn't going to change. Their problem was that they were both so wholly alike!
I will admit, the movie Rhett is much more charismatic than the book Rhett. Clark Gable portrayed Rhett Butler as the dashing southern gentleman who was scorned by love, but in the book, Rhett really is the scoundrel Scarlett proclaims him to be.
I do think that by the end of the story Rhett had just played the game long enough. He grew tired of it, and there was no prize for winning, be that love, or just the satisfaction of having won.

o2bqueen wrote:

Thanks, Faith. :-)) Yes, I didn't realize until after making the palette how drawn I am to such strong and independent characters. Guess my rebel spirit has always prevailed!!! However, I disagree with you on the Rhett & Scarlett thing. I think Rhett, in the beginning, was indeed attracted to Scarlett because she was a challenge. But I also think that, over time, he grew to love her deeply and passionately. Even despite all her rejections, he stood by her. He also stayed married to her for many years and loved his daughter wholeheartedly. When she died, it tore him apart, leaving him a much more sensitive and aware man. I think, with Ashley's death, he realized that Scarlett was never going change (as validated by her final line) and would never return his love. So, in an act of self-preservation, he left her. He finally abandoned his hope that she would change and, having evolved into a wiser, more tender person, he couldn't stand by and support her any longer. She had trampled on his feelings for the very last time. And so, when he said his famous line, he he was telling her he would never again let her hurt or reject him. And I think that was took remarkable courage.
So, what do you think of that interpretation?

beautiful! I have neglected my favorite group for a few weeks, my hubby might be relocated and I was searching for a home in Austin.busy busy- things are on hold for the moment so I can rejoin CL !!!!

Wow , I had been thinking of my favorite characters and you got 3 of 5, Love Rhett, Atticus, and Celi, of course I love anything by Alice Walker, her book "The Temple Of My Familiar changed my life. Great palette, marvelous characters!

shahrizat77 wrote:

Have always loved that quote from Jane Eyre. Very good choices there, Linda. In your books, too :)

Thanks very much, Shah. I think I was attracted to Jane because of her wretched childhood experiences. I identified with that and admired her courage so much. I just love it when underdogs buck the system and prevail. :-))) Hugs....

Luna Rosa wrote:

Great list Linda, so hard to decide but Atticus Finch would definitely be in my top five too:)

Thanks so much, Dahlink!! I always feel so inadequate with any challenge that draws on one's reading experiences. But I lost my interest during years and years of reading, editing, and rewriting. That made me intolerant of poorly written and edited books, of which there are many. And now, reading just puts me to sleep. :-))))

faith4faith wrote:

Nice!! I had considered Jane Eyre for mine as well, but in the end, I felt that I didn't connect with her as much as, say, Anne Shirley. But I do love the complexity of her character.
Also interesting is that you chose Rhett Butler -- I had Scarlett on my list of considerations as well because, unfortunately, I do relate to her! However, I believe that Rhett and Scarlett never would have ended up happy together. All the sequels that were written about them are wrong. The two of them only want what they can't have, so when they feel that they've attained that "prize" they become uninterested. That's why Rhett left. He knew he'd finally won Scarlett's affections, so she was no longer a challenge for him. But she was the same way with him too. Yes, I've given this a lot of thought... so I guess the fact that I did so confirms that Rhett and Scarlet really were some well-written characters that I felt I came to know personally!
Oh, and The Color Purple is so heavy. It's a bit too heavy for me, but I'm realizing that these characters you've chosen are all pretty deep.
So, yes, I love your palette and your choices!! And I'm sure I'm enjoying this particular challenge just a little too much. :P

Thanks, Faith. :-)) Yes, I didn't realize until after making the palette how drawn I am to such strong and independent characters. Guess my rebel spirit has always prevailed!!! However, I disagree with you on the Rhett & Scarlett thing. I think Rhett, in the beginning, was indeed attracted to Scarlett because she was a challenge. But I also think that, over time, he grew to love her deeply and passionately. Even despite all her rejections, he stood by her. He also stayed married to her for many years and loved his daughter wholeheartedly. When she died, it tore him apart, leaving him a much more sensitive and aware man. I think, with Ashley's death, he realized that Scarlett was never going change (as validated by her final line) and would never return his love. So, in an act of self-preservation, he left her. He finally abandoned his hope that she would change and, having evolved into a wiser, more tender person, he couldn't stand by and support her any longer. She had trampled on his feelings for the very last time. And so, when he said his famous line, he he was telling her he would never again let her hurt or reject him. And I think that was took remarkable courage.
So, what do you think of that interpretation?

Great list Linda, so hard to decide but Atticus Finch would definitely be in my top five too:)

love these independent minds and spirits!