full title Gone with the Wind
author Margaret Mitchell
type of work Novel
genre Romance novel; historical fiction; bildungsroman (novel
that charts the maturation of the main character)
language English
time and place written 1926–1936;
Atlanta
date of first publication 1936
publisher Houghton Mifflin
narrator The anonymous narrator speaks in the third person
and is omniscient, having access to the thoughts, emotions, and histories
of all characters and possessing insight into the context and consequences
of events in the novel that the characters lack. The narrator generally
voices the upper-class Southern perspective on the Civil War and
slavery.
point of view The narrator follows Scarlett almost exclusively,
occasionally pulling back to give broad historical descriptions
and analysis
tone The narrator treats the characters and the plot seriously
but often criticizes characters who take themselves too seriously
tense Past
setting (time) 1861–early 1870s
setting (place) Atlanta; Tara, the O’Hara plantation in northern Georgia
protagonist Scarlett O’Hara
major conflict Scarlett struggles to find love, trying out Ashley
Wilkes and Rhett Butler, while simultaneously trying to adjust to
the changing face of the South
rising action Scarlett confesses her love to Ashley; Scarlett marries
Rhett; Scarlett and Ashley embrace
climax Bonnie dies while horseback riding, breaking the tie
that binds Rhett and Scarlett
falling action Scarlett falls down the stairs and miscarries; Rhett
tells Melanie of his love for Scarlett; Melanie dies; Scarlett realizes
that she loves Rhett, not Ashley; Rhett abandons Scarlett
themes The transformation of Southern culture; overcoming
adversity with willpower; the importance of land
motifs Female intelligence and capability; alcohol abuse;
prostitution
symbols Rhett Butler; Atlanta
foreshadowing Gerald O’Hara’s dangerous horse-jumping in Chapter
II is part of a pattern of reckless behavior and hints at his later
death, and that of Scarlett’s daughte Bonnie Blue, both in riding
accidents
