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Gone with the Wind
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Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (A. Monique & Angus). Start Date: October 17, Monday
Angus, I need your understanding. Love ya Angus. *hugs*
Monique: I hope you will take over your boss' former position ha ha.
K.D. wrote: "Monique: I hope you will take over your boss' former position ha ha."Kuya, someday I will. ;)
One of my favorite novels of all time! This is a classic!!! I am currently reading The Help which is also about slavery, but definitely less of the "romantic" take on the issue.
Happy reading, everyone! :)
Hi Marie, I've read The Help last year, and gave it 5 stars. Looking forward to the movie adaptation. :)
Sure! Let's move it next Monday then? :)
Monique wrote: "Hi Marie, I've read The Help last year, and gave it 5 stars. Looking forward to the movie adaptation. :)"Hi! I'm liking it so far and also looking forward to watching the movie :)
ANGUS: Huling hirit: Oct. 17. Pag di pa tayo nagstart nun, you can "un-friend" me. LOL.
LOL, ginawan ko pa naman ng paraan para hindi umabot ng holidays for November. Sige sige, Oct. 17 na yan.
Wiwit! Ok na ba? I'm reluctant to post my Day 1 inputs, you might still be busy. :D
Hi Angus, post away. I'll write mine tonight. I'm still in Chapter 2 - Scarlett has been entertaining me as I'm a little under the weather today. :(
Day 01: 01, 02Scarlett O'Hara spends an afternoon with the Tarleton twins, who are both interested in our protagonist. Scarlett is quite enjoying the attention that the twins are giving her, but she is bored by their war talk. As she steers the conversation towards a barbecue to be held the next day, she learns from the Tarletons that Ashley Wilkes, the object of her desire, is going to announce his engagement to some girl.
Scarlett gets agitated. I was like, whoa, you already have twins fawning over you, and you still want another guy? But this other guy is too cerebral for Scarlett. Arts, poetry, books; that's what Ashley is made of. And the people call that eccentric. Sheesh.
Since Scarlett could not find peace, she confirms the piece of rumor to her father. The latter confirms, so our protagonist's heart is broken.
I find the first two chapters promising, which are filled with intrigue and yes, romance! And yes, there is war, there is going to be war.
A.Monique: I hope you'll feel better. And I hope this book would be better than A Passage to India and The Grapes of Wrath. :)
Day 1: Chapters 1 & 2The first two chapters are descriptions of people: Scarlett, the Tarleton twins, Scarlett's father. Scarlett is heartbroken at the news that Ashley will wed Melanie, and Scarlett declares that she loves Ashley, and that the latter is supposed to be in love with her.
My impression of Scarlett O'Hara is that she is a flighty, finicky and self-absorbed girl, as evident from the fact that she wants all of the young men in their Georgia town to be in love with her. She is beautiful, and she knows it, and she will use that beauty to get what she wants.
ANGUS: Sorry for the late posting! I got sick, and didn't have the energy to post this yesterday. Yes, I hope this is so much better than our previous buddy-reads. Sayang naman sa effort, the book's so thick, haha!
Day 02: 03, 04, 05Some background on the O'Haras, which is not unexpected for a novel of such length. More focus is given on the patriarch though, which only magnifies the gender roles that are prevalent in the era when the novel was written.
Which also makes me root for Scarlett. I also like the character of her mother Ellen, who is classy, dignified, and selfless regardless of her social standing. But isn't she someone who's playing the role that a woman of her times is expected to act out?
And Scarlett is not someone who is going to follow such expectations. Her plans of snatching Ashley away from Melanie is a proof of her stubborn character and her defiance against the gender roles. Never mind that her plan is not something that a morally upright person would do, but I think that adds a sense of reality to the novel.
A.Monique: That's okay, I hope you're doing well though. At dapat lang na maganda ito, look at the average ratings. Or should we even rely on those? :D
Day 2: Chapters 3, 4, 5GERALD O'HARA: is a person to be admired. He's a self-made man, with just the tiniest stroke of luck to help him start out. It's so easy to understand where he's coming from, and why his character and attitude towards his family and peers is a certain way.
ELLEN O'HARA: is likewise a person to be admired, but in a completely different way. Like you said, she's classy, and totally headstrong. She can be a loving mother to her kids, attending to their needs, and although I find the "Mr. O'Hara" and "Mrs. O'Hara" thing as too formal for my taste, it is clear that she respects her husband, which the latter finds enough.
SCARLETT O'HARA: is getting on my nerves. She is the personification of my favorite quote from Al Pacino's and Keanu Reeves' late '90s movie, "The Devil's Advocate", which goes: Vanity is my favorite sin. She harps on and on about Ashley, and yet she wants all the guys to pine after her!
I understand her determination to go on and tell Ashley how she feels, as she thought that the reason why the latter was marrying Melanie was because he didn't know she, Scarlett, loved him. But this begs the question: does she really know what she wants?
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Angus: I'm posting a day late, but since the chapters are quite loooong (an understatement!) and after me, my baby is the one who's sick, I couldn't speed up my reading any more than I would want to.
Day 03: 06, 07Scarlett O'Hara, meet Rhett Butler. We all know that these two are the ultimate love team, but she is not totally impressed with this contemptuous man, who is also a polar opposite of Ashley in all aspects. She has ambiguous feelings for this man, what with the shock and respect mingling inside her.
After Scarlett's failed attempt to lure Ashley into her arms, her heart is filled with hatred and jealousy. She marries the timid Charles just to get even with Ashley. Desperate or extreme measures?
The long chapter on the barbecue at the Wilkeses reminds me so much of parties depicted at Tolstoy's War and Peace. The clothes, the talk, the atmosphere, and of course the war talk: everything is familiar. Except that this is a Southern barbecue and not a Russian ball.
I think the author represented Ashley Wilkes and Rhett Butler very well. The North and the South. The Southerners versus the Yankees. The old and the new. The Civil War begins. End of Part I.
A.Monique: Please do sacrifice our buddy reading for Baby Allie's good health. It's okay with me if you make late posts; I can do side readings. I will not post anything until you have posted yours (to keep both of us on the same track).
Day 3: Chapters 6 & 7Oh, Scarlett, you are so irritating and annoying, and yet at the end of Chapter 6, I wanted to laugh out loud!
Miss Vanity. You consider every man a proper conquest, with no regard to other women's feelings (ratiocinating to yourself, crookedly, that they probably didn't deserve these men if they couldn't hold on to them properly) even if they are engaged.
Serves you right that Ashley didn't fall for your charms. Hah!
And then, your poor spare tire, Charles, goes flat. I think you didn't deserve the poor guy; better for him to be dead.
And I don't want to say this, but: serves you right!! *evil laugh*
I think I'm getting a pretty good idea of how the relationship between Scarlett and Rhett will turn out. Let's see.
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ANGUS: Thanks so much! I'm trying my very best. My 2-day absence from work cost me a lot too (output-wise) so I am up to my neck in stuff to do. Thanks for understanding. *hugs*
Start of Part 2~
Day 4: Chapters 8 & 9
I wish I could find it in my heart to take pity on Scarlett, having gone from every man's darling to wife to widow and mother in the span of less than a year, but I couldn't. She is such an annoying, unthinking girl, and I could only think that she deserves what she gets.
Her experiences however haven't changed her a bit: she is still the coquettish airhead that she portrayed from the very beginning. She has no regard for proprieties, the reputation of her parents and their social standing, and only cared about herself. A selfish brat!
Which is why I loved how Rhett Butler made fun of her during the social. I loved how Rhett can see right through her, predicted her every retort and reaction, and baited her, for which she fell hook, line and sinker. Oh, this is going to be one very interesting book I'm sure!
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ANGUS: I will try my best to try to read the next chapters for day 5 (today is supposed to be day 5 right?) but I can't promise anything. Thanks for bearing with me. :)
Day 04: 08, 09After the disastrous marriage, Scarlett gets bored with her life. Being a widow at 17, she feels that her life is going to waste. But Scarlett, that is your own doing!
She's hurled to and fro different cities, until finally, she is invited to live with her rival Melanie and Aunt Pittypat in Atlanta. The city revives her down spirits despite the nursing duties that she is forced to do.
And then a bazaar is organized for the soldiers of the South. Scarlett is dying to go and dance with all the beaux, but since she is a widow who is supposed to mourn, she takes the role of a wallflower. She sulks, of course, but here comes Rhett Butler. She gets to dance and show her true colors under the scrutiny of the scandalized women of Atlanta.
This feels like Rubi, no? The teleserye of ABSCBN? I also find myself laughing despite the long chapters, especially when Rhett mocks the beautiful but bobitang Scarlett. I feel that the author has a tendency to be repetitive, like she would stress on and on that Scarlett is bored, Scarlett wants to flirt, et cetera.
And I like the good nature of Melanie. I am steeling my guts in the event of Scarlett's adulterous intentions coming true. Will there be a sabunutan moment?
A.Monique: Naku! Allie is more important than our bidang-kontrabidang Scarlett. I hope she's better now. And I hope you can recover from the, uhm, loss of your 2-day absence. :D
awww sayang di ako nakasabay..me and my friend scheduled reading this book nex week Oct 28...
Sayang Em! But still, you have your friend to read with you. And we can all discuss this if you ever plan to join upcoming meet ups. :)
Day 05: 10, 11, 12Gerald O'Hara is supposed to take Scarlett back to Tara, but our Scarlett was able to blackmail him for losing a huge amount of money over a game of poker. Which proves that Scarlett is a cunning woman. Which further proves that she is not as stupid as we give her uhm, discredit for.
And what the F&H! Scarlett is reading Ashley's letters to Melanie. Which is fine with me because it made me like Ashley so much more.
Which gives me a dilemma. I also like Rhett. The men have similar ideas regarding the war, which baffles our stupid Scarlett, for can a gentleman and a scoundrel share the same thoughts about the war?
And the war is superseding the gender roles and customs that aren't as immutable as they should be. They are starting to go away with the wind. People are coping with the changes that the war is bringing. Which leads us to a question: should there always be a war to make changes?
Ashley - Tara - Scarlett's pre-marriage years = the old
versus
Rhett - Atlanta - Scarlett's post-marriage years = the new
Hi Angus, checking in! :)Day 5: 10, 11, 12
Ang sarap sabunutan ni Scarlett!!!!! Pardon my overuse of the exclamation point, but I couldn't stress my point just enough. She represents everything that I don't like about a person: selfish, materialistic, imprudent, spoiled brat!
Rhett is portrayed as a "bad boy", but it's obvious to me that he's just hamming it up, doing things on purpose, inviting trouble. I like him very much because to me, the "bad boy" image feels like a front; there's so much more to him than the tough exterior. Remember how he treats Melanie differently than all the other women in their circle (to which the stupid and vain Scarlett retorted, why, when she's so much prettier than Melanie anyway??)? It's because when it comes down to it, Rhett actually knows how to appreciate people, and their good deeds, too. (Remember how Melanie readily gave up her wedding ring because she thought Scarlett gave hers away despite her, uh, love for Charles?) Besides, I love a man who is deep like that. :P
The narrative on the wars and the Confederacy is getting really boring, so I will be honest and say that I merely endure them. How about you Angus? Enjoying the war aspect so far? :)
Day 06: 13, 14, 15, 16I am touched with that prostitute who gives money to Melanie so that she could help the Confederates in their battle against the Yankees. But I am not so sure if the money came from her, uhm, blood and sweat, or if it was plainly given by Rhett. Or it could be both.
And everyone is dying. The Tarleton twins, although not so adorable, are dead, along with other men that were once Scarlett's beaux. It's good to hear that Ashley is alive, who came home for Christmas.
And the tramp! Scarlett flirts with Ashley under Melanie's nose. Which is quite nakakakilig because Ashley returns the kiss, but breaks away as soon as he gets back his better judgment. Well, Melanie is pregnant now, so we could only imagine Scarlett's indignation at that.
More on Rhett, I agree with everything that you said. I also think that he represents the common sense that the Southerners have greatly overlooked. He does invite trouble as much as he tells the way things are as how they really are, without twisting the details to fill any listener's satisfaction.
A.Monique: I just read through the war talk without much interest except when any news about Ashley Wilkes is brought up. And we are done with Part II! I suppose there is more war stuff in Part III since it isn't over yet.
I love this book but it's too thick I could only manage reading it once. I love scarlett. Although she was not beautiful, she was very charming though and that's why she wanted all the boy's attention because she was selfish in that way. I suppose that's bad but you have to admire her ability to turn things around and get her way. And I guess that's what made her such a great civil war protagonist. Hehe
Happy reading :)
Day 6: Chapters 13, 14, 15, 16Is it just me, or is the book getting just a tad too boring with all the war talk? Although, for what it's worth, I quite agree that there is nothing to be gained, and everything to lose, in war. I am also pleasantly surprised to learn that the Battle of Gettysburg that I've only been hearing remotely from other books is actually a part of this particular civil war.
The highlights of the book for me, so far, are the exchanges between Rhett and Scarlett: the former with his sarcastic, witty, and dry comments, and the latter with her stupid remarks, so transparent and predictable that anyone with a hare brain can see right through them. How can anyone be so shallow as to be bought by a bonnet, no matter how expensive or stylish it may be, disregarding all the proprieties that her own mother has attempted to instill in her?
Rhett had a point when he said that it was he who motivated Scarlett to do everything that she was just dying to do, but restrained by the dictates of society. Personally, I wouldn't want to be prevailed upon by anyone, if I want to do something. But I also try to be prudent in my decisions - something that Scarlett doesn't appear to have imbibed from her mother.
HALIPAROT! Kissing a married man, and with all malice, too, she cannot deny that. I don't know what to say anymore about Scarlett. She is just too much for me.
I agree with you; that part where the prostitute gave some gold coins to Melanie was indeed very touching. But I couldn't help but think if Rhett, whose handkerchief was used to bundle the coins, gave the money to the prostitute on purpose, knowing that the kerchief would somehow find its way to Scarlett's attention. An attempt to elicit jealousy, perhaps? :)
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Thanks for bearing with me, Angus. Oh, I so can't wait to finish this book, hahaha! :)
MARYSE and EM: Thanks for
Hi Maryse! Yes, it's tough rereading any book of such length. I also like Scarlett, but not necessarily admire her. Charm is her virtue, and she is using it well.
Day 07: 17, 18Part Three opens with more narrative regarding the war. Everyone is joining the army, old men (senior citizens, anyone?) and boys too young to leave school. Everyone is in panic. Everyone is leaving Atlanta, except for the hardcore fanatics, like the Meades and the Merriwethers. Scarlett wants to leave. She attempts to, but is held back.
By what? By her promise to Ashley that she will take care of the heavily pregnant Melanie. Of course, Melanie can't leave Atlanta because of her condition, and Aunt Pittypat leaves the two girls for Macon.
It seems like the war is going to reach Atlanta anytime soon. All the retreating led to this. It's pretty much like the retreating strategy in War and Peace, where Moscow was taken by the French army, which is pretty much like the Yankees in this novel.
A.Monique: I am not a fan of war novels, but so far, I haven't been bored by it. The Rhett-Scarlett-Ashley-Melanie thing keeps me reading.
Edit: My 1000th post!
Day 7: Chapters 17 & 18With all the details of the civil war, I am beginning to think that this novel is actually more of a memoir/history book than a romance, that it's more a reference book with a fictional love story just to spice things up a bit. Haha. But that's not a bad thing, is it? :)
Rhett represents the hard, bitter pill to swallow that are the repercussions of war. His occasional tiff and display of sarcasm towards Scarlett are but a side show to enjoy.
And yes, Scarlett still hasn't changed. Always the girl with the ulterior motives, always the girl who puts her own welfare over and way beyond any other's. Nakakaloka sya, ha.
Unfortunately, I haven't read War and Peace yet, so I can't make the same observations that you have. Although from a more general point of view, aren't all war stories the same? Don't they follow a particular formulae?
Oh, and Thermopylae - Scarlett drawing a blank, that was the highlight of these two chapters! :D
Day 08: 19, 20, 21, 22I have ambiguous feelings for Scarlett. I don't like her petulant selfishness. I like her tenacity to stick with her words. I don't like the motives behind her actions. I like how she can make things work for her.
And it's hilarious how she reacted when Rhett proposed to her. To be his mistress. What an insult that would be during those times. I can only imagine Scarlett's indignation.
With the arrival of the Yankees is also the arrival of Melanie's baby, who almost did not make it thanks to the absence of medical attention. Could we consider Scarlett's and Prissy's presence anything close to medical help?
I think Scarlett is growing. This act of assisting a woman in giving birth is, for me, a sign of maturity. Despite her constant whining of wanting to go home, I see that she's inching bit by bit towards maturity.
A.Monique: Another war novel that I've read is Atonement. Not exactly about the war, but there are also soldiers retreating. I think it's both skillful and convenient to peg a story beneath a backdrop of war because it brings all sorts of emotions.
I knew beforehand that this novel will tackle the civil war from a woman's point of view. But yes, I agree that it isn't so bad. At least it delivers the war part as a regular citizen and not as a front liner.
Day 08: 19, 20, 21, 22 And then there's more fighting, more lives wasted, for a senseless war.
Oh, I pity little Wade! Between an uncaring mother in Scarlett and the war on their heels, what else can go wrong?
It breaks my heart to read about how many lives were turned upside down � yes, even our bruhilda of a heroine, Scarlett � because of the war, lives that will be scarred for life and will never be the same, ever.
But then, a mistress....! Oh, little presumptuous Scarlett, to have her thoughts read like a book, and whose ego took a beating with Rhett's hilarious proposal.... to be his mistress! Serves her right! :D
For all of Scarlett's impertinences, I hope that nothing bad will happen to Ellen, Gerald, and the rest of the O'Haras, and to Tara, as well, now that the war is getting too close for comfort.
The Yankees are coming! And oh, a baby for Melanie. Somehow, I find something symbolic in the war and the birth of a baby.
ANGUS: I am much too wary of Scarlett's vanity and selfishness to attribute her act of assisting Melanie give birth to maturity. To me, it seemed as if she simply had no choice in the matter. However, I will give her the slightest benefit of the doubt because, after all, everyone has some inherent good in themselves. I hope that's the case with Scarlett. :)
Day 09: 23, 24The exodus. The farewell. And the first kiss!
We see a different Scarlett here, driving an old horse with a sick woman, a newborn baby, a hungry child, and a blabbering slave with her. What a motley crew! If we are to inject karmic beliefs here, this is Scarlett's weight to tow for all the things that she did in the not so distant past.
Almost every house is burned in Tara, and this horrible sight of smoke and rubble forebodes something in Scarlett. Could it be that their house is gone, the very refuge from the war that she is desperately seeking?
Contrary to this, the O'Hara house is as solid as ever despite the lack of lights. But there is something ghastly in it, something despondent that fills the with uncomfortable airs.
Ellen is dead. Scarlett's sisters are sick. Gerald is out of grips. Most of the darkies have escaped. What is Scarlett to do?
This is a pivotal moment for our protagonist. It's history repeating itself in the family. It's now her turn to rise from defeat. It's time to redeem herself from her shameless acts.
Atty. Monique: I think the war is over at this point, but we are yet to see its full effects on the people that were affected by it. Which is interesting because I wonder whether Rhett will still be the same fabulous Rhett after having a taste of war.
Day 09: 23, 24Reading these 2 chapters was heartbreaking. The desolation, picking up the pieces of what the war had shattered. But, for what it was worth, credit must be given to Scarlett for the things she'd done for Melanie and the baby. For all the effects of the war, there is just one teeny good thing that came out of it: it made a woman out of Scarlett.
Of course, there's still the underlying reason for her good deeds. After all, she wouldn't have nursed and taken care of Melanie if it were not for Ashley. But, I will no longer dwell on the ulterior motive - even if Scarlett merely did all those things because she was left with no choice, she still did it, and that's what matters.
Oh, and the darkies remind me too much of the help at home. Ingrates!
And Rhett, why has he gone to join the war?? Now I'm beginning to see how the title fits into the story. :)
Hi A.Monique, I'll be gone with the wind for the long weekend. I won't be hanging out here that much, so I'll get back to you on Tuesday. Rest assured, I will follow the reading plan. Thanks! :)
Hi Angus! That's okay. I was hoping to have a respite from Scarlett over the long weekend as well. Time to get creepy for Halloween, hehe. Will do some side readings in the meantime. But since I'm already through with the next chapters, I'll post this anyway so I won't forget my thoughts about them.
Day 10: 25, 26, 27
Yes, Scarlett is definitely growing up and maturing. The war may have forced her to, but it's a good thing nonetheless. And she may have been compelled under the circumstances to murder a Yankee, but that's just it: she was compelled, in defense of the only people and things left for her.
I am also starting to appreciate that she appreciates Melanie now, for the woman that the latter is. There may be the vestiges of her ulterior motive that is Ashley, but again, the war can truly make people do and feel things they won't feel under normal circumstances. The war has truly changed Scarlett.
The book is beginning to get depressing, with all the talk of death, hunger, war, Gerald's getting cuckoo, etc etc. I understand where Scarlett is coming from, when she over-stresses her authority at Tara and says things that may no longer be necessary. I take it as part of Scarlett's getting matured.
Where could Rhett be? I wonder what happened to him.
Happy Halloween, Angus! :)
Day 10: 25, 26, 27It looks like Scarlett and Melanie are going to be BFFs. The murder of that stray Yankee will only make whatever bonds they have stronger. It will be really hard to dispose Melanie from Scarlett's life however hard she wishes for it.
And now, everyone at the Tara household is depending on her words. With Gerald's loony condition, Scarlett definitely has to take over. The circumstances are forcing her to change her ways. At least she doesn't whine as much as Suellen or the house servants. I cannot imagine what profanities I would scream at a house servant who refuses to do field work in such hard times.
More on Gerald, I think his dementia, or vagueness as they put it, is rooted from his lack of will to accept the changes and let go of the old Southern ways. He's an old man who is came from the last generation of the Southern gentlemen.
And here goes our Scarlett, opposing her father with her hope and will to never be hungry again!
A.Monique: Now we're back on regular programming. I hope you enjoyed the long weekend as much as I did. :D
Day 11: 28, 29, 30This is not the perfect time for a proposal, but Suellen's beau insists on it despite his lack of money and property. Aside from that, there isn't much going on. People are still poor, people are trying to get back with their lives, and people are reuniting with their long lost Confederates.
Which brings us to Ashley Wilkes. Where is that man? Just before Part Three ends, he arrives, almost a stranger, and yet Melanie recognized her husband. She runs to meet and welcome him at Tara. Scarlett wants to run as well, but she is held back by Will Benteen, saying that she shouldn't ruin their moment as man and wife.
Who is this Will Benteen? And where is Rhett Butler? And what is Scarlett to do now that Ashley is back?
More on Scarlett, I think her selfish ways helped her a lot in surviving the hard times. She was able to make things somehow work because she always wants her way done. And because she is unconventional, she can easily adapt to almost any situation.
Just look at the house servants' stubborn resistance to doing field work and Scarlett plowing the fields herself. It is somehow funny and ironic, but given the character traits of our protagonist, it is not so surprising.
A.Monique: Already, we are on Part Four but we are only halfway through the book!
Paging Atty. Monique? :D
Day 11: 28, 29, 30The war is over, thankfully. This gives our characters a sliver of hope for the future, but times are still difficult.
Scarlett has taken up the cudgels of the mistress of the house, and she has truly matured a lot since helping Melanie give birth until their arrival at Tara. One of the better effects of the war?
Will Benteen is one interesting character. Just when I think that he's just a bland war survivor, he goes and voices out what Scarlett ought to hear: duh, Ashley is Melanie's husband, ain't he?
ANGUS: My sincerest apologies. During the holidays, I took a break from reading this novel in favor of The Woman In Black (you know, a good scare for Halloween), and then when I got back to work, I realized that a lot has been left piled up and was waiting for me after the long weekend. SO... I am truly sorry for being such a lousy reading buddy this time around. :(
Oh, I already thought of the perfect Christmas gift for you. I am absolutely sure you will like it. :D
Day 12: 31, 32, 33LOL, I had to page you because you might think I have abandoned this book already (and I was waiting for you to post something).
I have to say that this is the height of Scarlett's coquetry. Well, we couldn't wholly blame her for it, and besides, it wasn't really her intention to snatch Ashley away from Melanie when she decides to turn to him for advice.
But they kiss passionately. Sweet, but Ashley, where is your honor? I am rooting for Melanie, and I just couldn't imagine what would happen if she caught on the two in each other's arms.
The O'Haras are on the brink of losing Tara from their hands, thanks to the vengeful interest of Jonas Wilkerson on the land where he was driven away from. So Scarlett comes with the uhm, brilliant idea of seducing Rhett and marrying him. But will that work? Will Rhett forget that his grand statement that he is not the marrying type of man? Will he notice the gown that Scarlett made from curtains?
And where is he anyway? Scarlett finds this out once she arrives at Atlanta with Mammy. Aunt Pittypat tells her that Rhett is in jail.
Are there any tricks left in Scarlett's sleeve for her to save Tara from Jonas Wilkerson and the Slatterys?
A.Monique: A Christmas gift? Nooo! Siyempre, nagpapakipot lang ako, hahaha. Let me hazard two guesses. Is this Scarlett, the sequel to Gone with the Wind? Or is this a silk petticoat? Hahaha.
Day 12: 31, 32, 33I quite agree with your observation that this is the height of Scarlett's coquetry. Just when I think she's gotten so much better, here she comes again with the usual airhead-y, talandi ways that are just so her. Oh Scarlett. How I love hating you!
And Ashley, my goodness. Pumatol na si Pogi! For all his declarations of loyalty to Melanie, he'd end up thinking with his balls rather than his brains.
I hope the O'Haras won't lose Tara. That would be the saddest thing, especially since it's all they've got left after the war. I don't know exactly what to think about Scarlett's decision to marry Rhett just to save Tara, but I would like to think it honorable of her to do so. (I have to think so, otherwise there would be no redeeming factor for Scarlett, at all. Haha.)
That scene with Slatterys, though, I completely cheered on Scarlett, hehe. I would do exactly the same thing if I were her. :)
ANGUS: Ay ang landi mo! Para kang si Scarlett, hahaha! But wait. I'll give you 2 hints so you can flick better guesses at me than that: (1) it's a book (duh!) of course, and (2) you love the author. :D Oh, and this is SO much better than a silk petticoat (as if I am fond of petticoats, haha!)! ;)
Day 13: 34, 35These are laugh-out-loud chapters for me! I love the conversation that Scarlett and Rhett had when the former visited the latter in his prison cell. Just imagine how Scarlett squirmed at Rhett's mockery. And the shame! Ooh, Scarlett, you deserve it!
And oh, I am so wrong with one of my previous assumptions! The secret kissing scene of Ashley and Scarlett is not yet the height of her coquetry. That would be her new attempt to steal Frank! From her sister! And all in the name of money!
Well, we have a dilemma here. We all know that it is never moral to steal someone's fiance, and your sister's at that. But since Tara is the driving force that's making Scarlett do all her scheming and manipulating, could we really blame her? She swore that she will never be hungry again, and since this is a world where we need to satisfy our basic needs (food and shelter), does morality have any weight in the decisions that she makes?
Most of the characters in the novel are choosing to live with dignity despite poverty instead of doing something to ward off the difficulties brought to them by the war. But Scarlett is just getting way out of her way. She is pushing her chances to the extremes!
A.MONIQUE: Oh! If it's an author that I love, it could be either Jose Saramago or Kazuo Ishiguro (I have all of David Mitchell's novels in theoretical shelf, haha). Now I am compelled to come up with something for you. :D
Day 13: 34, 35Oh, desperate times call for desperate moves! And Scarlett is no exception to this. Although I pity her, in that she had to swallow her pride and force herself to endure Rhett's cruel words, I thought that she deserved it.
But then, for some reason, when Rhett refused to
And then all traces of pity vanished - POOF! - when she attempted to steal Frank, the fiance of her very own sister Suellen. I mean, just how low can you go?? Has she no dignity left in her? And then she justifies her actions by thinking that Suellen doesn't deserve Frank, that her sister was stupid anyway. My goodness. Scarlett is one heroine that I just love to hate!
ANGUS: Oh come on now. Don't be compelled to get anything for me. I'm happy to give it to you and see 5 stars on your review of the book. ;)
Day 14: 36, 37And what do you know? We see Frank and Scarlett get married, and we see Scarlett slowly transform not into a lady, but into a businesswoman. That is hardly surprising in these modern times, but the mid 1800's is a far cry from the concrete jungles where everyone regardless of sex works like a horse, so to speak.
And oh, Rhett just got out of jail. And he's so filthy rich, way, way richer than Frank, that Scarlett is filled with regret for her hasty marriage with Frank. But she still got that loan from Rhett, which she could have been multiplied more had she only waited and had she not let Rhett see her true intentions.
I find this chapter very amusing because of the author's comical treatment of Scarlett's way of doing her business. It even borders on sheer hilarity, what with the shocked and unapproving reception of the Atlanta people for Scarlett's behavior.
The next chapter is a stark contrast, as we hear from one of the country boys who gets involved in the killing of Jonas Wilkerson. And somehow, Ashley is dragged into this group of Southerners avenging their own: the Ku Klux Klan.
What is exactly going on at Tara, we could only rely on the Fontaine boy's word. Scarlett, as expected, is in a state of unrest.
A.Monique: I'd find it hard on my conscience if I don't get something worth of your 5-stars. So let me think while Scarlett waits for her next baby.
Day 14: 36, 37These chapters added more to my dislike for Scarlett. Well, she proceeds to marry Frank, disregarding Suellen and all for the sake of Tara, but the way in which she manipulated Frank into marrying her was just disgusting. The guy, on the other hand, couldn't decipher Scarlett's true intentions for what they were. So, I don't know which one is more disgusting: Scarlett for her manipulative, insensitive, selfish, and deceptive actions, or Frank for falling for them hook, line and sinker.
I just love how Rhett always manages to stump Scarlett by voicing out exactly what the latter thinks and feels! That's why Scarlett is always mad at Rhett: he knows perfectly how her mind operates, and she can't deny it. For this reason, I am a huge, huge fan of Rhett. Hehe.
Can poverty and Scarlett's experiences during the war really cause a person to crave for nothing else but money? Because some people are content, happy with whatever they have. In Scarlett's case, she justifies all her decisions by ratiocinating that she experienced so much poverty during the war - plowing the fields, bereft of shoes or sandals with which to cover her feet, rationing whatever food they had to feed several mouths, etc. - all of which
she never wanted to experience again. That's quite understandable, but to sacrifice each and every principle that has ever been inculcated in you (if any) for money??? What's your opinion on this, Angus? :)
Scarlett's concern over the goings-on in Tara is still mainly focused on one person: Ashley, who, in Rhett's words, obviously did not love Scarlett as he claimed to be. (In this regard, I completely agree with Rhett, and have come to hate Ashley, too. Haha.) And the woman is pregnant again! Well. Considering that she is a married woman, I don't think there's a problem with that.
The upheavals and issues with the blacks have begun. Since this is the late 1900s, I am not at all shocked, but actually thankful that that part of history is over.
ANGUS: I love you and thank you for bearing with me, your lousy reading GWTW buddy (see, I qualified!). :)
Day 15: 38, 39One of the most poignant moments just took place in this chapter: Old Peter being looked down by Yankees right in front of his face. I do not know what I would have done if I were in his situation, but yes, I could only have seethed in anger. But times are different now, and people do not just hold their anger when others talk against them right in their presence.
And right after this chapter is another dramatic moment. Gerald dies, not because his mind is failing him, but because his neck was broken while uhm, horsing around. We learn of Suellen's attempt to make a traitor out of Gerald by tricking him to sign a document that cleanses him of any connection with the Confederates, which also promises the reward of money. And Gerald, in a fleeting moment of clarity, tears the document and throws his rage at Suellen.
So you see, it's not only Scarlett who is being undignified here. It runs in the family. Or does it? I say that the circumstances call for it, and how a person is brought up plays a huge factor as to how he will react to such a situation.
A.Monique: My answer to your question regarding money and principle, I think it all boils down to survival. I really can't feel empathic about Scarlett's situation because although we are not a rich family, we have not experienced downright poverty. It all boils down to survival. It is man's instinct to look after himself, and I think this is ultimately the purpose why we keep holding on to life. I am not sure if I understand her, but I know that I could not really blame her.
Yes, there are other means, but given her situation, a girl once rich and now plowing her own fields, I find it hard where to put my finger.
I have to confess that I am already done with the book because I had to talk about it during the deliberation, so what I am doing is that I scan the book on the parts where you currently are. So please don't dwell on being a lousy reading buddy because in a sense, I am lousy for reading ahead of my buddy. :)
Day 15: 38, 39 Gerald's death is just heartbreaking. I have a high regard for self-made people, and even though he perished in an accident, I see him to have died long before that - when his wife Ellen died, he died with her as well. And Suellen, for what she did, was no different from her sister Scarlett. It makes me think that she deserves having Frank "stolen" from her.
Racial issues are prevalent now, and I must admit that I find these parts really boring. The focus of the novel shifts from fiction to fact, and I'm losing track of the love story part here - the one between Rhett and Scarlett, which I've identified with the novel.
ANGUS: I haven't found myself in a situation similar to Scarlett's, as well, so I am not sure how I'd react. I agree with your opinion about survival being a huge factor - but I also value principles. Survival, after all, is instinctive, while values and principles allow you to think and deliberate on your actions.
That's okay, I know you're already done with the book. The reason why I've been posting almost every other day is I take too long reading the chapters - I have to admit that the book bores me, except the part where Rhett lambasts Scarlett. Haha!
Day 16: 40, 41There's a lot of talking nowadays, but I quite enjoyed them, particularly the eulogy delivered by Will and the conversation between Scarlett and Old Miss Fontaine. Thinking about it, it's really questionable why Will was the only person who spoke in memory of Gerald. He is the person who knew him the shortest. But number of years is not necessary proportional to quality of relationship.
What I am trying to say is that this Will character surprises me. He is supposed to be uneducated, and yet he speaks sensible stuff. The only thing that I think is objectionable about him is his intention to marry Suellen. Well, people need to procreate, don't they?
And here's another Scarlett-Ashley moment. When I just thought that this love affair is going to be over, what with Ashley planning to find work at the North, Scarlett suggests that he takes over one of the sawmills. She almost lost the battle had it not been for the intervention of Melanie, who is quick to rebuke Ashley for refusing Scarlett's offer.
At this point, I pity Ashley. It's the end of the world for him, and he knows it.
A.Monique: I hope you still finish the book. I scan the pages so that I could remember the parts where you already are. Part V is quite quick. There are a lot of Rhett Butler moments there, so I guess you will not be bored.
Day 16: 40, 41Next to Rhett, Will would have to be my next favorite character. He is a strong, level-headed and smart person, and Scarlett should be grateful - as she was - to him for everything he did for Tara. I don't see anything wrong with him marrying Suellen. If their future children would be anything like him, then I'd say Suellen is truly blessed.
On the Ashley-Scarlett part: frankly, their "affair" is getting too old, and I'm getting tired of it. Scarlett is a bimbo - come on, girl, you're heavy with child, and you're still flirting and enticing another man with a job offer - oh, a co-owner offer pala! - just so you could be near him? Nakakainis na talaga. Hmpf.
Melanie is so full of good intentions and so equally clueless about Scarlett's real motive behind offering Ashley one of the sawmills, I don't know whether to pity her or be miffed at her. But I love that she came to shine on her own when they got back to Atlanta; she deserves it.
I am hoping to read more of Rhett in the next chapters, though.
ANGUS: I am determined to finish this book, but because of the length of the chapters and because I'm reading it simultaneously with other books, I may be able to post here every other day only. Apologies.
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bricknovel about survival, war, andlustlove. Yes, love! This could possibly be one of the best romantic novels ever written.Below is the daily reading plan. The pace would take 1-2 hours, depending on your reading speed. That's about 45 pages a day if you have the mass market paperback edition. Not bad, huh? :D
Reading Plan
Part I
Day 01: 01, 02
Day 02: 03, 04, 05
Day 03: 06, 07
Part II
Day 04: 08, 09
Day 05: 10, 11, 12
Day 06: 13, 14, 15, 16
Part III
Day 07: 17, 18
Day 08: 19, 20, 21, 22
Day 09: 23, 24
Day 10: 25, 26, 27
Day 11: 28, 29, 30
Part IV
Day 12: 31, 32, 33
Day 13: 34, 35
Day 14: 36, 37
Day 15: 38, 39
Day 16: 40, 41
Day 17: 42, 43, 44
Day 18: 45, 46, 47
Part V
Day 19: 48, 49, 50, 51
Day 20: 52, 53, 54
Day 21: 55, 56, 57, 58
Day 22: 59, 60, 61, 62, 63