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Just posting up a topic while I'm here. I'm just getting started on Chapter 40, so not too much to say yet.

Scarlett is back to Tara for Gerald's funeral, so she sees Ashley again. She clearly does not 'get' Ashley. He seems to know it. She's also clearly still in love with him. I know we talked about this before, but do we think that Ashley really loves her? I keep coming back to this idea that maybe Ashley pines for Scarlett as a remnant of the past, much in the same way I think Scarlett loves him as a portal to a more simply past.

Also, Scarlett and Melanie interface again. We're told that Scarlett doesn't like Melly, but Melly seems to really care for Scarlett. Is that true? what do people think?

Oh my gosh, and something else I was thinking of - why is it so important and mentioned so frequently - that Scarlett's baby Ella is ugly?

Just started Chapter 41. Do you think that Scarlett would have cut Suellen some slack if she had managed to get the money, and that Gerald hadn't died in a sort of revolt against his daughter? I think Scarlett may actually have approved. Her entire mill business is built on securing Yankee money.

I feel bad for Will ebcause he is one of the characters that I really like. I think Suellen just doesnt have enough soul for him, and poor Carreen, with her little broken heart. Ah well, everyone adapts I suppose.

I liked that at the end of 40 Scarlett stood up for Will. The inability of the people in the South to realize that their entire social world has been turned over reminds me of when I read All Quiet on the Western Front, and many other WWI memoirs. They boys come home, trying to explain how they are losing the war, because they are using old tactics with new technology. The old men just dont understand why the calvary just can charge up the side of tanks. Its always kind of heartbreaking ebcasue it leaves the younger generation to fend for themselves entirely. Its world and culture building, and I cant really imagine being the core group of that time.

Also I think Ashley loves Scarlett like people love dangerous activities, it the same kind of love that people use to climb Everest, go whaling, pioneering, etc. Its like staring at a fire, its beautiful and its warm, and its so horrifying and strong, and no stopping it. Its full of life. Its how I feel when I see a tornado, terrible awe and wonder at its beauty when I know just how awful it is. Is it real love? Maybe not. Its just overwhelming. Scarlett is like a force of nature.

Scarlett is definitely a force of nature - that's for sure!

I agree, I think Ashley's "love" for Scarlett is merely wishful dreaming of the past. Plus he feels obligated to her, which clouds his feelings and his judgement.

Scarlett, however, is way beyond anything I could remotely call "love." She is completely obsessed, in the way an overwhelming parent would be, never letting their child go to live his own life. He tells her point blank that it will destroy him if she makes him stay: he needs to go make something of himself. She clings to him so strongly that she uses his own wife against him, in a way that will make it impossible for him to refuse, or everything would be revealed. And now she has the nerve to be surprised and frightened when she sees the hollow look in his eyes! To have someone that under your thumb, to control them just so they will stay nearby, even though you can never have them... that is NOT love. It's crushing, overwhelming, suffocating control.

I'm adding my two cents regarding why Scarlett's daughter Ella is frequently mentioned as being ugly. I think MM is saying that Ella has fetal alcohol syndrome as a result of Scarlett's surreptitious drinking during her pregnancy. Ella is (when she is mentioned at all) referred to as giddy brained, silly, etc.)

Rockandy23yahoo.com wrote: "I'm adding my two cents regarding why Scarlett's daughter Ella is frequently mentioned as being ugly. I think MM is saying that Ella has fetal alcohol syndrome as a result of Scarlett's surreptitio..."

Alana wrote: "I agree, I think Ashley's "love" for Scarlett is merely wishful dreaming of the past. Plus he feels obligated to her, which clouds his feelings and his judgement.

Scarlett, however, is way beyond ..."

Yes totally this. Poor Ashley under the thumb of forceful Scarlett but still if only he had any back bone at all.

Also interesting you mention fetal alcohol syndrome because I was thinking the same thing.