Tomorrow is another day

Gone with the Wind is one of the most popular novels in American history. Published in 1936, Gone with the Wind became an instant success, bringing novelist Margaret Mitchell a remarkable reputation. The novel marked not only its unforgettable characters but also the authors storytelling ability. Gone with the Wind is the story of Scarlett O'Hara- a woman of great strength and her relationships with Rhett Butler, Ashley and Melanie Wilkes. The novel touched upon survival, romantic love, and the societal structuring of gender and class. At the heart
of all this chaos was the story of beautiful, ruthless Scarlett 'O' Hara and the dashing soldier of fortune, Rhett Butler. This unforgettable tale of love and loss was expressed clearly in the final chapter of this remarkable novel.

A historical romance was set in northern Georgia during the drama of the Civil War and Reconstruction years. The story begins with the Civil War and spans seven or eight years following the war, a time period during which the "old south" with its elegance, wealth and aristocratic traditions is subjected to a federally mandated program called "Radical Reconstruction." (Free Study Guide - Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, n.d.). Mitchell wrote when Gone with the Wind was published. "If the novel has a theme it is that of survivalI only know that the survivors used to call that quality 'gumption'" (Gone with the Wind: Theme Analysis, n.d.). As a result, Gone with the Wind was written about the people who had gumption and the people who didn't. Scarlett and Rhett are survivors because they adapt to the changes brought about by the war and Reconstruction. With its richly detailed evocation of a former age, its narrative engagement, its compelling portrait of the original human instinct for survival, and its reflection of the contrariness of romantic dreams, Gone with the Wind continues to capture, entertain, excite, and sometimes exasperate readers.

Eventually, several characters finally learned important lessons about love and Scarlett was the only one failed to understand what love was until the end of the novel. Scarlett 'O' Hara finally wanted to fight for her true love instead of survivor for the very first time. She finally realized that the crucial difference between the two men was not that Ashley was fine while Rhett was coarse but that Ashley was weak while Rhett was strong. Scarlett and Rhett torment us with their inability to feel the same emotion at the same time: If one felt passionately in love, the other felt sullen; if one was talkative, the other was silent; if one was desperate, the other was indifferent. Eventually, her efforts at turning her love to Rhett were an utter failure. It was too late for her to realize not only her true feeling for the one she loved but also the noble and decent values of Rhett Butler. One of the good values of Rhett is that he symbolizes pragmatism. He accepted the reality that the South must faced in order to survived in a changed world. Nevertheless, he did not fully abandon the idealized Southern past, Rhett revealed that he had more of the Old Sothern gentleman in him than he cared to admit through the occasion when he left Scarlet at the end of the novel, this time to made peace with his prominent Old Southern family and to recaptured something of the refined life of a Southern gentleman. This suggested that however much the South adapts to the values of the changing times, at its heart, it maintains the dream of graceful living that characterized the Old South (Gone with the wind: Character profiles, n.d.) In addition, Rhett Butler is a gentleman who is well informed of all the happenings around him. It is expressed obviously through his realization about people around him. Rhett recognized a kindred spirit in Scarlett and quickly fells for her right from the moment that they met. Alone among her acquaintances, he saw through her every trick and deception, but loved her anyway: It was so obvious that we were meant for each other. So obvious that I was the

only man of your acquaintance who could love you after knowing you as you really are hard and greedy and unscrupulous, like me. Nevertheless, Scarlett ignored Rhetts devotion for years and she was too self-absorbed to realize that his heart always call for her. While she took years to realize what she thought of Ashley was nothing more than an assumption, Rhett saw Ashley as only a gentleman caught in a world he doesnt belong in, trying to make a poor best of it by the rules of the world thats gone. Moreover, Rhett Butler has deeper intentions and values hidden beneath the surface. Firstly, he hided his feeling behind a veneer of sardonic humor and bland indifference that Scarlett was too insensitive to penetrate (Gone with the wind: Character profiles, n.d.). Because Rhett knew that Scarlett slighted men she could win easily, in stead of showing that she did won him, he made a mock of her, argued with her, and eventually resorts to cruelty and indifference in order to win her. At the end of the novel, he admitted his ardent love for her and explained his reticence: "You're so brutal to those who love you, Scarlett. You take their love and hold it over their heads like a whip." Another reason why he hided his feeling inside was Scarlett's obsession with Ashley. For years, he always was there for her no matter what but always there was Ashley. How hurt it was when he gave Scarlett all his love and soul but never could change her persistent desire to win Ashley. That Rhett has a good heart under his cynical shell is clear from his many selfless acts. Most importantly, he supported and helped Scarlett in many ways. Rhett lent her money to buy the saw mill, and when the rest of Atlanta was condemning her for her unwomanly behavior in running her businesses, he was the only person who encouraged her. From time to time, Rhett tried everything he knew hoping she could change her feeling for him. However, the moment when he quietly asked her: Did it ever occur to you that I loved you as much as a man can love

a woman? Loved you for years before I finally got you? he knew that his unconditional love for her was over. No matter what he did, it was still useless efforts. One of the tragedies of their relationship is that his love for Scarlett wears out when he finally win her love. However, he had tried in the past to rid himself of thoughts of Scarlett and had never been successful. Maybe he will not be able to forget her and will ultimately return. Perhaps he leaves her on purpose hoping she will learn her lessons about growing up and appreciation of present. In short, Margaret Mitchell's epic love story was expressed evidently in only one final chapter. Reader can see through not only the noble personalities of Rhett Butler but also Scarlett OHaras strong will. Although this is the final chapter, it is still an important and inspired turning point which draws readers attention successfully. Perhaps Scarlett was better off without Rhett. At this point in the story, readers saw she was really grown up. She saw the value in the people closest to her, the people who relied on her and yet always supported her. She can now understand the true value of friendship, real love, and real self-esteem. No sooner had Rhett put the first step on the stairs than Scarlett realized that there was no appeal of emotion of reason which would turn that cool brain from its verdict. How ironic it is that Scarletts consciousness of her true feeling came as soon as the one she truly loved was going to leave her permanently. Now, what she only and really had was her belated selfawareness that had she ever understood Ashley, she would never have loved him; had she ever understood Rhett, she would never have lost him. Over years, she had had an ongoing obsession with Ashley Wilkes, who she finally realized was only an infatuation, something she had retained from her youth but which had no substance. Her moment of realization that Ashley was not what she thought him to be, and that in fact she did not love him after all, was the single best encapsulation of projection in a work of

fiction (Terramis, 2012). It was the revelation that she experienced upon the death of Melanie, her only female friend and Ashleys wife: He never really existed at all, except in my imagination. What she thought of Ashley was nothing more than an assumption: I loved something I made up I made a pretty suit of clothes and fell in love with it. And when Ashley came riding along I put that suit on him and made him wear it whether it fitted him or not. And I would not see what he really wasI kept on loving the pretty clothes and not him at all. Not until Rhett left had Scarlett realized how desperate she was without him. For the whole life, she had sought the haven in dreams, the place of warm safety which had always been hidden from her in the mist. She should have realized it was not Ashley, never Ashley. Or at least she should have realized earlier that her heart had been always calling for Rhett. For years she had had her back against the stone wall of Rhetts love and had taken it as much for granted, pretending herself that she had stood with her own strength. It was Rhett that had always stood silently in the background, loving her, understanding her, ready to help. Could this be anything else if it were not for a man loving a woman to distraction? Why hadnt she realized that he loved her and she loved him, too? The most important - and tragic- result of her fixation on Ashley was that she failed to appreciate the love and support Rhett had lavished upon her over the years. Unfortunately, her realization of this came too late to save her relationship with Rhett. Scarletts suffering is compared to a metaphor of severed tissues, shocked by the surgeons knifes, have a brief instant of insensibility before their agony begins. Perhaps Scarlett herself could not believe Rhetts love for her had just worn out as soon as she realized he was her right half and she did indeed love him, which turned her from dumbfounded dullness to extreme hurt.

Distraught, she told herself she could not think about his leaving just now, that she must go home to Tara and find a way to get him back: I wont think of it nowIll think of it tomorrow, at Tara. This is also Scarletts mantra throughout the book, reiterated on the final page. The saying indicates Scarletts strength and unwillingness to let outside influences interfere her and her determination to achieve the goals she has set for herself. Also, Scarletts decision to return Tara strongly represents her constant love for her homeland, which she has spent her whole life fighting for, where she believes she can always come to, rest in peace of mind and it will give her more strength to gain Rhett back. It is even reasonable giving idea that Scarletts love for Tara is the really eternal romance in the novel which never changes even when everything changes. At last, Scarlett still has Tara as a support to count on. After terrible accidents, it can be expected that she would be able to get back on her feet with her belief After all, tomorrow is another day. Her determination clearly indicates her fundamental optimism about the future. After all, she is still Scarlett OHara with great vitality, who never gives up her life and her love, who believes in herself and never stops finding new chances to move on. The final chapter plays a role in completing the falling actions of the story impressively, following the death of Bonnie and Melanie, by giving the tragic outcome of the relationship between Scarlett and Rhett. Mitchell has made a successful ending chapter given by three main keys. First of all, it summarily reflects and emphasizes the major conflict in the plot line. It is the conflict between Scarlett and Rhett that now appears at the top. How tragic it is that Rhett and Scarlett would not admit to one another how they truly felt until it was too late. If they had only been out of false pride and put the other persons feelings and interests first how different the outcome would have been. Secondly, the chapter once again portrays finely the characters

through their personality traits and particular discourse. For example, both Scarlett and Rhett are depicted amazingly through their impressive and memorable sayings, which have become famous quotes until today. Last but not least, there are many valuable life lessons that can be derived from the final chapter of the book. The first one as can be inferred the dream guy may not be the right guy. Scarlett never really loved Ashley; yet she pursued him relentlessly at the expense of experiencing real love with a guy who got her. How many years did Scarlett and Rhett lose with her mindless pursuit of the wrong guy? The guy that she thought she was meant to be with turned out the worst possible partner for her in the grand scheme of things. When it comes to love, many people are so busy listening to their hearts; they forget to listen to their gut. And if we learn to listen to it we will be far happier and spared from a lot of bad relationships and endings. Appreciate what you have. Scarlett was never content or appreciative with what she did have. Her thoughts always went to if she had just this one more thing, such as having Ashley, she would be happy. She ignored social norms, manipulated everything that crossed her path, hurt a lot of people. Though Scarlett never made excuses for who she was, she is finally just a woman in search of love and a roof over her head. She kept fighting for everything and gained a lot of things except for a real lover that everyone deserves. Although Solomon was the richest man in the world, he speaks saying, All is vanity, a chasing after the wind. Riches do not bring happiness or peace of mind. Thus, once again seeing all of the struggles Scarlett went through has reminded us of the importance of living in the moment and appreciating what we have. Never give up. When facing obstacles that can be changed, but seemed unachievable, there was no one more determined than Scarlett. Her drive and her positive attitude in order not to lose

faith are admirable. Her saying Tomorrow is another day absolutely becomes one of the most famous quotes whose ideas anyone, regardless of age, gender, location, orientation, or religion find inspiring. No matter what happens to you, or doesnt happen to you, tomorrow is another day. Start fresh and keep moving forward. Briefly, the end of the story might be disappointing to many of the readers who have come a long way with Scarlett and Rhett in their journey of life and love, but given Rhett and Scarletts character it is supposed not to be so surprising. It should be believed, however, that someday, beyond the limits of the story, Rhett will come back. He has tried in the past to rid himself of thoughts of Scarlett and has never been successful. He will not be able to forget her and will ultimately return. The final chapter of the novel leads to an open-ended ending, but complete enough and perfectly poignant for good. The chapter does not simply close the story, it finely crafts the personalities of two main characters Scarlett and Rhett as well as brings deep values till the last line. With Gone with the wind Margaret Mitchell not only conveyed a timeless story of survival under the harshest of circumstances, she also created two of the most famous lovers in the English-speaking world since Romeo and Juliet. More than 75 years since Mitchell published her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the phenomenon has never quite died down. It is the epic novel that has stood the test of time and remains the shining beacon of the American literature history.

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References
Free Study Guide - Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell.(n.d.). December 25th, 2012 from http://thebestnotes.com/booknotes/Gone_With_The_Wind/Gone_With_The_Wind02.html Gone with the wind: Character profiles.(n.d.). Retrieved December 25th, 2012 from http://www.novelguide.com/GonewiththeWind/characterprofiles.html Gone with the Wind: Theme Analysis.(n.d.). Retrieved December 25th, 2012 from http://www.novelguide.com/GonewiththeWind/themeanalysis.html