Reading the Chunksters discussion

In which Scarlett heads back to Atlanta to meet with Rhett.

Loved the back and forth between Scarlett and Rhett in these chapters. There is a hint of real care and emotion between them in these chapters. We've seen glimpses before, but usually they're just catting at each other.

I am also just slightly concerned about Scarlett really being willing to sell her soul for Tara. I'm not a land owner in this plantation/family farm sense, so I admit that I don't completely understand the connection to the land, but it's clear how committed Scarlett is to Tara. I'll be curious if that devotion remains after she realizes what she will likely have to give up in order to keep Tara in the O'Hara family.

You know, sometimes I really cant understand Ashley. I think he would have philosophized himself into starvation with Melanie if it weren't for Scarlett. Does anyone else feel this way? Maybe Melly could have figured out how to feed them, but I think Ashley is pretty much a lost soul in this New South. I dont understand Scaarlett's fascination with him (I get that she wants him now, because she cannot have him, and he is the bright light of the past, but she loved him BEFORE and I dont get that), because, to me, he seems kind of pathetic. I'm much more fascinated by Rhett and his ability to adapt to the situation, to any situation.

Lost soul is a really good description. And I will say that in the later chapters it does just seem to get worse. He's certainly not cut out for work, or strife and I too am perplexed as to why Scarlett still pines for him. Two things that come to mind is 1)He's reminiscent of the old south, which was a much easier time for Scarlett, so she holds on for that reason, and 2)She can't have him and it drives her nuts. We've talked before that she seems to only want that which she can't have. That which she could have (Rhett and Frank to a certain extent) she's not that interested in except for how it can further her own aims.

I'm loving all the dialogue and action that was left out of the movie, especially Scarlett's inner dialogue.

This section seems to give further evidence to the theory that she's a sociopath, not caring about anyone beyond herself. Her entire internal conversation with Rhett is all about how to change her tactics to reel him in and win him to her scheme. Thankfully (frankly) he eventually sees through it. I like that we get a glimpse of some hurt and anger from him for toying with him like that...he wants her brutal honesty, which is what he is so drawn to in her. So I think it does wound him deeply that she DOESN'T appear to care for him, because he hopes that eventually she will grow up and grow to care for him.

I didn't realize how pathetic Ashley is until that whole scene. He has nothing to offer, and he still believes he's in love with Scarlett, which frankly, I doubt. He would never survive without her charity and he seems ok with that. He has no practical ideas (although at least he's not afraid to go out and get his hands dirty working outside). He stays with his wife out of honor, not because he cares for her, although he SHOULD: she s far tougher than any of these characters give her credit for. I do not for the life of me get why Scarlett is so obsessed with him...except maybe that he's the one she never did conquer, so maybe if ever she DID conquer him, she'd finally get over him?

I do at least get the impression that Rhett WANTS to help Scarlett, however rougishly he implies otherwise. He asks her if he was the only one she was going to try this on... I think not to taunt her or tease her about her lack of male followers, but because he genuinely wants to know if she has ANY other options or if she's that desperate. He knows how much Tara means to her. I'm curious what he will do with the knowledge that Scarlett is in such dire straits.

I can wait to see what happens next. I think that the clothes were a good idea but that she shouldn't have lied. Clearly he is smarter than her if only because of his experience.

I don't care about Ashley though. Doubt I will anymore.