Reading the Chunksters discussion

Well, Scarlett seems to be getting it together.

Actually, that's probably an overstatement, I don't think she's keeping it together very well, but she's out doing something. She's trying to keep things together at Tara. It's a side of her that I like to see. She's not as helpless as we all thought. I'm sure she'd still like a man to come along and take care of it all, but she has stepped up when necessary.

I'm very proud of Scarlett actually. She seems to be the only one trying to do her best to survive. She makes herself crawl through the dirt in search of old vegetables; she gets over her pride when it comes to picking cotton; she protects her home from an intruder and thief... Rhett was right, when he said he had no worries about Scarlett making it on her own. Everyone else just sits on their pretty behinds, demanding food, but not willing to work for it. Melanie is great help, but I wish she would already get better from having a baby, so both her and Scarlett can be a powerhouse in Tara.

Is anyone else sometimes struck by the fact that in modern day society Scarlett might be a bit of a sociopath? She only cares about herself, she seems to almost have an inability to care for others. She detests her own son, and realizes looking at her two sisters that she doesn't really feel anything for either of them. The only reason that she is going to feed them is because she feels she has duty to kin, and that's probably because she views it as a reflection on her, not being she actually thinks she is helping. On top of all of that, she obsesses about just one person- Ashley. And that obsession, while seemingly parallel to her mother's secret long-time love for Phillipe, borders on quite unhealthy.

I'm not through the chapters yet. I am glad that her obsession with Ashley was strong enough that she didn't desert Melanie on the road, because I think under other circumstances she might have. I think all this responsibility will be good for her, and she will begin to finally come into her own. I'm very interested to finish out these chapters and see how her character progresses.

It's an interesting theory you mentioned Becky and a very probably one. But even though Scarlett's dislike for everyone around her is so prominent, it really doesn't bother me. I detest those characters myself. I really can't stand Suellen or Prissy. Pork and Mammy are also unwilling to help with hard labor, claiming they are house help, not field hands. Scarlett is indeed grateful to those who pitch in, like Carreen or Dilcey.

True, she only drags Mellie along because of her promise to Ashley, but I wouldn't expect such a passionate person like Scarlett to be too forgiving to her rival. As for Wade, it's sad that she treats him the way she does, but her being so mentally detached from her marriage to Charles or her pregnancy, I think there is a deeper psychological problem that's gnawing at Scarlett. She just cannot accept the fact that what happened to her really did happen, and that all of it was pretty much her fault. Being a spoiled rotten kid that she is, she sure does pretty good under pressure.

There were times in this section that I wondered at the author... She says Scarlett is growing harder, colder but at the same time we finally see her exhibit some actual thought towards her son. God I can't wait until the inevitable reuniting with Rhety

I actually think Scarlett's behavior is more befitting of today's society. She thinks only of herself. She doesn't just put on airs. I'm not through with this section, yest,;but I'm loving this strong Scarlett. She is harsh, sure, but she needs to be.

I think the development of Scarlett in this section is wonderful: we see someone going through a version of grief, that hardness of soul of a person determined not to be hurt, but also to keep it all together. She was so hoping that her mother would take care of everything once she arrived at Tara, and finding herself as apparently the only one with any brains to keep them alive, she's stepped into the role with a vengeance.

Her obsession with Ashley: DEFINITELY unhealthy! When she even has thoughts about Melanie dying so she can be with him, though she chides herself for them....definitely a sign of a very narcissistic, messed-up person.

The tone in writing of the book is jarring but it makes sense. The world she knew is fading and now it's survival time.

People around the house still carry themselves in the past whole Scarlett is planning for the future and doing whatever she can each day to make it to the next.

I am glad to see that and super curious to see what is next for her.

I haven't been part of this group but GWTW is one of my favorite books. just wanted to say that if anyone of you has read Tolstoy's "War and Peace", look for the similarities in the two books! (GWTW is far superior, imo)