浅析《飘》中斯佳丽的性格-an-analysis-of-scarletts-character-in-gone-with-the-wind大学论文

《飘》中斯佳丽的性格英文解析时间:2010-04-1506:45来源:英语作文网作者:英语作文投稿收藏:收藏本文《飘》是美国女作家玛格丽特.米切尔一生中创作的唯一的一部长篇小说，一经面世，其销售量立即打破了美国出版界的多项记录并一直在世界各地畅销不衰。小说以美国南北战争为背景着重描述塔拉农场主的女儿思嘉丽在战前战后的生活，同时通过思嘉丽与艾希礼、瑞德等人的感情浅析《飘》中斯佳丽的性格[摘要]《飘》是美国女作家玛格丽特.米切尔一生中创作的唯一的一部长篇小说，一经面世，其销售量立即打破了美国出版界的多项记录并一直在世界各地畅销不衰。小说以美国南北战争为背景着重描述塔拉农场主的女儿思嘉丽在战前战后的生活，同时通过思嘉丽与艾希礼、瑞德等人的感情纠葛为线索，为我们刻画了一幅壮观而又生动的南方社会的生活画面。小说不仅有丰富多彩的生活内容，而且具有纵横开阖的故事情节，跌宕起伏的矛盾冲突，为刻画人物性格起了重要的艺术作用。在作品塑造的众多富有特色的人物中，最成功的莫过于对女主人公思嘉丽这一集矛盾、复杂、多面于一体的核心人物的塑造。本文拟从三个方面对思嘉丽性格特征进行分析。一是思嘉丽在内战前、内战期间、和内战后所表现出的生活态度；二就是思嘉丽性格形成的外部原因和内部原因；三是思嘉丽对爱情与婚姻的态度，从而展现了这一形象所赋予作品的永恒的魅力。[关键词]斯佳丽的性格；内因；外因；《飘》AnAnalysisofScarlett’sCharacterinGonewiththeWind[Abstract]GonewiththeWindisoneofthemostpopularAmericannovels,whichiswrittenbyAmericanfemalewriterMargaretMitchell.Whenitwaspublished,itssalesbrokemanyrecordsamongthepublishingcircles,anditisfamousallovertheworld.ThenovelmainlydescribesthelifeofScarlettwhoisthedaughterofTara’smasterduringtheAmericanCivilWar.MeanwhilewiththehintofatriangularlovebetweenScarlett,AshleyandRhett,thenoveldepictsawideandprosperouspictureofthesociallifeoftheSouthinAmerica.Notonlytherichcontentofthenovelbutalsothecomplexplotsandthecontradictionsbetweenthefiguresofthenovelhaveanimportantartisticeffectonshapingthecharactersinthenovel.Amongalltheroles,Scarlett,isthemostsuccessfulonewhoisfullofconflictingandcomplicatedfeatures.ThisarticleanalyzesthecharacterofScarlettfromthreeaspects:thefirstoneisherattitudetowardslifeduringtheCivilWar;thesecondoneistheexteriorandinternalreasonsfortheshapingofhercharacter;thelastoneisherattitudetowardsherloveandmarriage.Theanalysisaimsatshowingtheeternalcharmoftheimage,Scarlettinthenovel.[KeyWords]Scarlett’scharacter;exteriorreason;internalreason;GonewiththeWind斯佳丽图片浅析《飘》中思嘉丽的性格[摘要]《飘》是美国女作家玛格丽特.米切尔一生中创作的唯一的一部长篇小说，一经面世，其销售量立即打破了美国出版界的多项记录并一直在世界各地畅销不衰。小说以美国南北战争为背景着重描述塔拉农场主的女儿思嘉丽在战前战后的生活，同时通过思嘉丽与艾希礼、瑞德等人的感情纠葛为线索，为我们刻画了一幅壮观而又生动的南方社会的生活画面。小说不仅有丰富多彩的生活内容，而且具有纵横开阖的故事情节，跌宕起伏的矛盾冲突，为刻画人物性格起了重要的艺术作用。在作品塑造的众多富有特色的人物中，最成功的莫过于对女主人公思嘉丽这一集矛盾、复杂、多面于一体的核心人物的塑造。本文拟从三个方面对思嘉丽性格特征进行分析。一是思嘉丽在内战前、内战期间、和内战后所表现出的生活态度；二就是思嘉丽性格形成的外部原因和内部原因；三是思嘉丽对爱情与婚姻的态度，从而展现了这一形象所赋予作品的永恒的魅力。[关键词]思嘉丽的性格；内因；外因；《飘》正文开始：1.IntroductionGonewiththeWindhasbeenhailedas(被称赞为)atriumphofAmericanliteratureandfilm.In1937,Margaret.MitchellwonPulitzerPrize,forhersweepingportrayalofthecrumblingoftheOldSouth.Sincethen,thenovelhassoldmillionsofcopies.Thefilm,aproductionbyDavidO.Selznick,exceededallexpectations,receivingcriticalandpublicacclaimthatincludedanunprecedentedtenAcademyAwards.[1]Eventoday,GonewiththeWind,despiteitsmanyhistoricalinaccuracies,formsthebasisofAmericanpopularmemoryoftheOldSouthintheyearssincetheCivilWar,butMargaretMitchell’staleistheonethatismostdeeplyembeddedinAmericanculture.ThenovelmainlydescribesthelifeofScarlettwhoisthedaughterofTara’smasteraroundtheAmericanCivilWar.MeanwhilewiththehintofatriangularlovebetweenScarlett,AshleyandRhett,thenoveldepictsawideandprosperouspictureofthesociallifeoftheSouthinAmerica.Animportantelementofthestory’spopularityisScarlettO’Hara,theoutstandingheroinewhoisfullofconflictingandcomplicatedfeatures.ThisarticleanalyzesthecharacterofScarlettfromthreeaspects:thefirstoneisherattitudetowardslifearoundthecivilwar;thesecondoneistheexterior（外部的）andinternalreasonsfortheshapingofhercharacter;thelastoneisScarlett’sattitudetowardsloveandmarriage.Theanalysisaimsatshowingtheeternalcharmsoftheimage,Scarlettinthenovel.2.Scarlett’sAttitudetowardsLifeScarletthasthestrongcouragetofacefreshandbloodandtoovercomedifficulties,butthiswishofindependenceisnotacceptedbythesocietyatthattime.Butinmodernsociety,Scarlettisdefinitelyanindependentfemalewhohasstrongwill.Shehasthespiritofnotadmittingfailureevenitisatpresent.2.1Scarlett’sRebellionagainstSocialRestrictions限制Scarlettisahybrid混血的whoexhibitsmoreofherIrishfather’shard-headednessthanhermother’srefinedSouthernmanners.Althoughinitiallyshetriestobehaveprettily,herinstinctsriseupagainstsocialrestrictions.[2]Girlsatthattimearetaughtsuchthingsas:aheartyappetitewouldnevercatchaman.Thus,whengoingtoaparty,theywouldstuffthemselveswithfoodathome.Thentheywouldbeabletoeatonlythedaintiestmorselsattheparty.Also,womenweretaughttoactignorant,tohangoneverywordamansaidasifsheknewnothingherself,inordertomakehimfeelsuperior.Theywerenevertosaywhattheyactuallythought.Scarlett’smotherEllenandMammyalsoteachherallthatagentlewomanshouldknow,butScarlettneverlearnsnordoessheseeanyreasonforlearningit.Scarlettshowsherdistainfortheartificialmanners:“I’mtiredofeverlastinglybeingunnaturalandneverdoinganythingIwanttodo.I’mtiredofactinglikeIdon’teatmorethanabird,andwalkingwhenIwanttorunandsayingIfeelfaintafterawaltz,whenIcoulddancefortwodaysandnevergettired.I’mtiredofsaying,‘Howwonderfulyouare!’tofoolmenwhohaven’tgotone-halfthesenseI’vegot,andI’mtiredofpretendingIdon’tknowanything,somentellmethingsandfeelimportantwhilethey’redoingit.“SomedayI’mgoingtodoandsayeverythingIwanttodoandsay,andifpeopledon’tlikeitIdon’tcare.”Shedoesaswhatshesayswiththedevelopmentofthenovel.Scarlettdoesnotliketheothergirlsatthattime,wholeadalifeofwaiting,theywaitformen’sallegianceandacceptance;theywaitforloveandtheywaitforappreciationandcompliment.[4]Scarlettiscompletelydifferentfromthematall;instead,shestrivesforloveandhappinessactively.Whenshehearsthenewsthatthemansheloves,AshleywillmarryhiscousinMelanie,sheconfessesherloveforhimwithoutpudencyandsheevenmentionsofelopingwithhim.Sheknowsshemustlethimunderstandherlove,thusitispossibleforhergettinghislove.Heractionisnotdifferentfromthemodernpeople.Scarletthatestherulesofthesociety.Whenshebecomesawidowwhohastowearblackweedsandcan’tshowherfaceinthepublic,sheisverydispleased.SosheacceptsRhett’sinvitationtodancewithhimopenlyandundoubtedlyatthecharityball.Whenpeoplearetalkingaboutherandscoldingher,shedoesn’tcareatall.Afterthewar,inordertorebuildandprotectTara,sheevengoesoutsidetomanageasawmillherselfanddoesotherbusinesssuccessfully.Althoughpeopleatthattimecan’tendurewomentoappearinpublicforearningmoney,especiallytothemen,theycan’ttoleratethewomenwhocandefeatthem.Scarlettdisregardsofwhatpeoplesay,butjustdoeswhatshebelieves.Scarlett’ssuccessprovesthatwomanhasthesameintelligenceandbrightnessasmen.Andheractionisaheavyblowtothesocietythatisman-centered.Hereffortalsobreaksthetraditionalprejudice,whichisadmiredbymanyreaders.2.2ChangingConceptsfortheNewLife2.2.1BeforetheCivilWarBeforetheCivilWar,spoiledandbeautifulScarlettisaproudprincess.Sheisalsonaïveandcarefreeforsheisbroughtupinarichfamily,inwhichtheyhavemanylargefertilefieldstogrowcottonsandmanyslavesthatworkforthem.Itisnonecessaryforhertothinkaboutanythingbutjusttodressinnewcostumestoattractthesightsoftheboysandtojointheballs.[5]Wherevershegoes,sheisalwaysthefocusandcenteramongtheyounggirls,andsheisadoredbymanymen,whichirritatestheothergirls.Soshegraduallybecomesagirlwhoiscoddled,undisciplined,egotistic,fractiousandnarcissistic.Shebelieveseverymanaroundthevillagewillfallinlovewithher,andshecan’tendurethetalkwithoutatopicofher.Butherself-centeredandexclusivecharactercausesthetragediesofherlove.AfterherfailuretoconfesstoAshley,shedoesn’tfalldownorleaveawaywhichshowshercourageforlifeatthefirsttime.2.2.2DuringtheCivilWarWiththeoutbreakofthewar,sheloseseverythingsheowns.Warmakesherbecomeawidowwhohastowearblackweedsforherhusband.Inthesummerof1864,ShermanstartstoattackAtlantaandeveryoneisfleeingthecity.ButScarletthastostayatAtlantawithMelanieforshehasmadeapromisetoAshleytolookafterMelaniewhoisgoingintolabor，sheevenbravesthelifedangertoescortMelanieandhernewly-bornbabytogobacktoTaraintheflamesofwar.Herkindnessconquerstheselfishness,whichshowsherniceaspect.Sheissohorriblebutshestickstogobackhome,butwhatsheseesinTaraisonlytheendlesslonelinessanddesolation.Thewarabsolutelychangesthewayofherlifeandheraffectionatehomestead,Tara.TheinvasiveYankeesdestroyalloftheirtreasureandcottons,leavingnothingbuthungertothem.Hermotherisdeadandherfather’smindhasgone;hertwosistersandMelanieareill;Melanie’sbabyandherownchildneedtobefed;onlyseveralperplexedblackslavesdonotknowwhattodoeither.Scarlettistheonlyonethatthefamilycandependon.Scarlettcan’tleadalifecomfortablyasachildanymore,forthereasonthatnoonecanprotectherfromthreat.Scarlettchangesherconceptsforthenewlife.ShelaysdownherpositionofaladyofnoblebirthandchangesherconceptsoftheoldSouthernlife.Shewantstofeedherfamilyandherselfthroughherownwork,whichshowsherrealisticcharactertowardslife.Whenhersistersandthehouseservantscomplain,ScarlettevenworksinthefieldsofTaraherselftoensureagoodharvestofcotton.Toher,thememoryofhungerisclearerthanthememoryofbrain.Shevowsherfamousline,"AsGodasmywitnessIwillneverbehungryagain.”Whenotherscannotfacefleshandblood,butshebelievesthatonemustkeeponworkingtoaltertheactuality.Thereupon,sheadoptsthenewwaysoflivingwhichchangeherfromayoungladywhomustrelyontheblackslavestoenjoyhertoalaborerwhosupportsthewholefamilydependingonherownworking.[6]ShewalkspersonallytothedestroyedTwelveOakstolookforsomethingtoeat,andevenuseshereleganthandstodiggreens,todoexcavation,tosplitthewood,tocrushthemilk,topickcottons,eventoploughthefieldwhichusedtobedonebyslaves.Mostshockingly,though,iswhenScarlettkillsaYankeewhocomesinandtriestostealwhat’sleftoftheirmoney,butScarlettkillshimandtakesallofhismoney.ScarlettisjustdifferentfromthosepeoplelikeAshleywhoalwayslivesinthedreamsoftheoldSouthandisunwillingtoweakupforthenewlife.AlthoughthelifeoftheoldSouthiscolorfulandyearningtomostoftheSouthernpeople,itisalreadydeadandpeoplestillhavetoseeknewwaysforliving.Scarlettknowsthisverywell.Nomatterhowhardthelifeisandnomatterwhatthenewworldis;shehastoraiseherwholefamilyandprotectthemfromstarvingandfreezingtodeath.2.2.3AftertheCivilWarThewarisfinallyover!Buttheyarestillintrouble;theYankeecarpetbaggersandsouthernscalawagshaveraisedthetaxesonTara.Tarafacesthedangerofbeingboughtawaybytheothers.ShemustdosomethingtosaveTara.ShetriesallthewaystogetmoneyforTara.AfterthefailureofborrowingmoneyfromRhettwhoisinthejail,shelureshersister’sloverFrankandmarrieshimundoubtedly;neverconsideringhersister’sfeelingandherownsacrifice.Sheissorealisticthatsheevenhasnotimetothinkaboutthefuture,butjustresolvestheproblemsatpresent.Althoughwomenatthattimearenotallowedtogooutsidetoearnmoney,Scarlettstickstomanagingthesawmillherself.Sheputsherallenergytothebusiness.Whenshehasnoaccompanier,shewilldrivethecarriageherselfevensheispregnant.Sheemploysprisonerstoworkforherforlessexpenditurebutmoreprofit;shesendouthermoneytomortgageasloan;shetradeswithblackmenformoney;andsheevencleansupthemoneyfromthewidows.Thoughshehasabadreputationofhavinganeyetothemainchance,shedoesn’tcareatall,forthereasonthatshefeelssohorribleaboutthememoryofhunger,coldness,lonelinessanddangeragainandagaininthenightmares.Shemakesmoneytomakesurethewholefamilytoleadalifewithoutworryforfoodandclothes.RhettsaysScarlettwantstogettwothingsintheworld:oneisAshley;theotherismoneyfordoingwhatshewantstodo.Afterthewar,shebecomesanew-richwhoisnotnecessarytoworryaboutmoneyanymoreandMelanie’sdeathgivesherchancetobetogetherwithAshley,butshesuddenlyfindsthatbothbeforeherfacearenotwhatshereallywants.Themanwhoreallylovesherandherlovesisgoingaway…From1920sto1930s,Americasufferedfromthemostseriouseconomiccrisisinthehistory:Factorieswereclosedandmanyworkerslosttheirjobs;Agriculturewasleanandsomanyfarmerslefttheirlandtoseeknewwaysforliving.Whatpeopleshoulddo?Thewomenneedingthebookorwatchingthefilminthe1930swerecomingoutoftheGreatDepression,andperhapsgainedstrengthandinspirationfromthecharactersinthestory.[7]Certainly,Scarlett’sfamousdeterminationnottobehungryagainencouragedmostofthereadersandaudience.3.ReasonsfortheShapingofScarlett’sCharacterPortrayalofacharactercan’tbeseparatedfromtheenvironmentsheorheisin,andthesocialenvironmentplaysthesameimportantroleasthenaturalenvironmenttoportraythecharactersofthefigures.ItisthesametoportraythefigureofScarlett,whichmustalsorelyonboththesocialandthenaturalenvironment.[8]3.1TheExteriorReasonThetransitionofthelivingenvironmentistheexteriorreasonforScarlett’schanginghercharacter,whichcausesScarlett’sdistinctivecharacter.Beforethewar,Scarlettlivesinthetraditionalandconservativeplantationandthelifestyleformsherplantationmaster’scharacteroflovinglandthananythingelseintheworldandherrebelliouscharacterspontaneously.[9]Sheleadsanextremelypoorlifeduringandafterthewar,andthatabominableenvironmentmoldshercharactertoconfronttherealitybravely;andherindependenceandselfishnesstoovercomedifficulties.Therichlifeexperiencebeforewar;theunstablelifeduringthewarandtheextremelypoorlifeafterwarprovidethefoundationtoformthecharacterofScarlett.Andthusinsuchenvironment,Scarlett’scharactercanbecomplicated.3.2TheInternalReasonMeanwhilethetriangularlovebetweenScarlett,AshleyandRhettisanotherelementtoinfluencethedevelopingofScarlett’scharacter;itisalsotheinternalreasonforthematureofhercharacter.Scarlettisinlovewithtwomen,oneisAshley,andtheotherisRhett.SheundergoestheloveforAshleyfrombeingblindtobeingstubbornandtobeingdisillusioned,andshealsoexperiencesthechangefrombeingchildishtomature.WhenshemeetsAshleyforthefirstsight,hismysteriousandcomplexcharacterattractsher,whichisakindofsimpleandchildishemotion.However,whenAshleyrefusesheratTwelveOaks,herprideandvanityisbruisedstrongly,whichdeepensherblindloveforhim,sodoesthewar.Althoughshecan’tunderstandAshley’sideasatall,shestillregardshimasaidealizedloverobstinately.Thisunrealimagesupportshertostandupinthehorribleenvironmentandovercomedifficultiesinlife.Andbecauseofthisspiritbackbone,shecanconfrontthedifficultiesandsetbacksinlife.However,ScarlettcannotfacetherealityonthespiritaspectuntilthedeathofMelanie.Ashleyisamanwhostilllivesinthepastandcan’tfacethereality.HiscowardiceanddecadencebreakScarlett’sdream,thusScarlettbeginstounderstandthatAshleyisnotthemanshewants,andatthesametimeherrealisticcharacterisdisplayedbothonherspirituallifeandmateriallife.Atlast,ScarlettrealizesthatRhettandherselfarethepeoplewiththesamecharacter,andhealwayslovesherandsupportsforher.ButScarlettlooksdownuponhimandmockshim,andshedoesn’tknowhisloveforher.However,sheadmitsthecommonsensebetweenthemandshelikestobewithhim.UnderthetoleranceofRhett,sheshowsherrebellion,hervanityandselfishness.Shecan’trealizehertruefeelingandsheavoidsfacingtherealityofthespirit.UntilherdreamforAshleyisbrokenandRhettistootiredtoloveherandisgoingtoleaveher,sherealizesthevalueofRhett,butitistoolate.Althoughherrealisticcharacterunitestogetherbothonthematerialandspiritualaspectsandsherealizeswhatthetrueloveis,shemustfacetherealitythatRhettwilleaveheralone.Lifeisfilledwithvariouscontradictions,andwhenacontradictionisover;anotheriscoming,sotheplotsofthestorywilldevelopfurtherandtheportrayedimagewillbemorecharming.Itisbettertoseehernotbeingblowndown.Shealwaysencouragesherselfthat“Tomorrowisanotherday”and“Thingsalwayslookbetterinthemorning.”[10]Shestillbelievesthatshecansgethimbackfinally.4.Scarlett’sAttitudetowardsLoveandMarriageScarlettspendsmostofherlifebeingadoredandlovedbyothers.Wherevershegoes,sheisalwaysthecenterandfocusamongthegirls.Althoughshemarriesthreetimes,sheneverunderstandsthemeaningofloveorgetsthetruelove.Inreallife,loveandmarriageareoftenrelatedwitheachotherbymostofpeople,becauseloveisthefoundationofmarriage.ButScarlettdividesthemintotwo,whichprovesthatsheisacharacterfullofcontradictoryandcomplexity.Inthenovel,ScarletthasbeenthinkingthatshelovesAshleyandsomedecisionsshemadearealsorelatedwithAshley.However,sheneverconsidersmarriageasaseriousmatterbutjusttreatsitasplaygames,andshemarrieswiththemenshedoesn’tlovejustinordertoresolvelivingproblems.4.1Scarlett’sAttitudetowardsherMarriagesMarriageisaseriousmatterandalsoanicedreamtomostoftheyounggirls,butScarletttreatshermarriageasplaygames.ScarlettissoimmaturethatshemarriesCharlesHamiltonwhoshedoesn’tloveatalltohurtAshleyforherfirstmarriage.Fromthenon,shebecomesaslaveoflove,andshelosestheabilitytodistinguishwhatisrightfromwrong,whichisthebasisofherlovetragedy.[11]TheCivilWarkillsherfirsthusbandaftertwomonthsoftheirmarriage,andScarlettbecomesawidowathersixteenyearsold.Sheendurestherulesofbeingawidow,butthewarchangeshergoaloflife.Inordertosurvive,tosaveTara,shemarrieshersister’sloverbysubterfugeoncemore.Notlongafterhersecondhusband’sdeath,shemarriesRhettforherthirdmarriage.Shethinksthatmarringhim,shewillneverhavetobotheraboutmoneyagainandnevertoworryaboutmoneyagain,toknowthatTarawassafe,thatthefamilywasfedandclothed,thatshewouldneveragainhavetobruiseherselfagainststonewalls.4.2Scarlett’sBewildermentinLoveScarlettfallsinlovewithAshleyatherfirstsight.ThroughtherelationshipwithAshleysheisaffectedbytheloveandallthestrugglesandlessonsthatgoalongwithit.ScarlettlovesAshleybecauseofalltheyoungmansheflirtswith;heistheonewhoseemstohavethestrengthofcharactersheadmires.ThedifferencebetweenAshleyandtheotherboysisthatAshleyiswelleducated,intellectually,artisticallyandmusicallytalented,anddoesnotputhimatthemercyofeveryprettyface.Heisalsotallandhandsome,andsomewhataloof,Scarlettdoesn’tunderstandanythinghetalksabout,butsheisdrawntohisdignityandhisoldworldcharm.Infact,Scarlettdoesn’tunderstandhimatall.Whatsheseesisjusthissurfacemerely,knowingnothingabouthisdispositionandthought.AlthoughScarlettdislikesthepeoplewithweakcharacter,shestilllovesAshley.Sheregardshimasherprincesincesheisayounggirlandoffersherpureloveblindly.Evenifshecan’tgethim,shenevergivesuporchangesherlovetohimthroughtherepeatedtribulations.Herlovetohimissoloyal,clingingandself-sacrificingthatsheiswillingtodoanythingforhim.WhenAshleyisleavingawayforthewar,heasksScarletttolookafterhiswife,Melanie,Scarlettisverydepressedbutshestillcomplies.InordertokeeppromisetoAshley,Scarlettstaysbythesideofherlover’swifeindangerousAtlantaandescortsherandherbabytoTara;unfortunately,herdearestmotherisdeadbeforethedayshecomesback.Whenthewarisover,Ashleycan’tadeptthepostwarnewlife,andhecan’tdoanythingbutjustlivesinthedreamsofthepast,andheevendoesn’thavetheabilitytosupporthisownfamily.However,Scarlettdoesn’tlookdownuponhimbutshehelpshimsupporthisfamilysilentlywithherownmoney.InordertodefendAshley’sself-respectasaman,Scarlettundertakesthelossofmoneyofhersawmill,whichisgiventoherloverAshleytomanage,.Shespendsnotimetoaccompanyherhusbandandherchildren,forthereasonthatsheisoccupiedbythethoughtsofearningmoremoneyormakingappointmentwithAshley.Infact,ScarlettisverydifferentfromAshley.Scarlettisverybrave,energetic,realistic,andshehasenoughcouragetofaceanydifficultiesduringandaftertheCivilWar.Ashleyisthatkindofpersonwholikesthinkingratherthanacting.HemissesthelifeoftheoldSouthandhecan’tadjusttothenewlife.Ashleylovesnobodybuthimself.HemarriesMelanienotbecausehelovesherbutbecausetheyarealikeandonlyhestayswithMelanie,thushecanlinkhimselfwiththepastoftheolddays.AlthoughScarlettisstrongonsomeaspects,shestillneedssomeonetoencourageandcomforthersometimes,thatistosayScarlettneedsamanwhoisstrongerthanher.ButAshleycangivehernothing,andheevenshowshisfearforthenewlifetoher:“Itisn’tthatImindsplittinglogshereinthemud,butIdomindwhatastandisfor.IdomindverymuchthelossofthebeautyoftheoldlifeIloved.Scarlett,beforethewar,thelifewasbeautiful.Therewasglamourinit,perfectionandcompletenessandsymmetrytoitlikeGrecianart.Maybeitwasn’tsotoeveryone.Iknowthatnow.Buttome,livingatTwelveOaks,therewasarealbeautytoliving.Ibelongedinthatlife.Iwaspartofit.Andnowitisgone,andIamoutofplaceinthisnewlifeandIamafraid.NowIknowthatintheolddaysitwasashadowshowIwatched.Iavoidedeverythingwhichwasnotshadowy,peopleandsituationswhichweretooreal,toovital”.ScarlettisalikeRhettverymuch:BothofthemaretherebelsoftheirfamiliesandthesocietyoftheSouth;theyallopposethefeudalmorals,andtheyallhavethebourgeoisiemerchantnaturaldisposition,thatistosay,theyareallselfishandtheywilltryallmeanstoachievetheirgoals.Theyseemtobemadeforeachother.Infact,Scarletthasalreadytrustedinhimanddependedonhimwhensheaffiliateswithhim,butshedoesn’trealizeherlovetohim.RhettknowsthatScarlettscornsmenshecanwineasily,soRhettrefusestoshowhershedefeatshim.Hemocksher,argueswithher,andeventuallyresortstocrueltyandindifferenceinordertowinher.EvenknowingaboutthetruereasonofScarlett’smarriagetohim,Rhettstilllovesheranddotesonher,actingasparenttoScarlettthroughoutthenovel-guidingheroutofmourning,comfortingherfrombadnightmares.RhetttoScarlett,inthefinalscene:"Youweresuchachild,mydear,Iwantedtomarryyouandprotectyou".[13]HeunderstandsScarlettverymuch,sohegivesherallsupportshecan.Heencourageshertoshunsocialcustomsandgiveshermoneytostartherownbusiness.HewantstodriveAshleyoutofScarlett’shearts,butafteralongtimewithhisbestefforts,hestillcannotchangeherandmakeherunderstandhisloveforher.Hefeelspainandtiredatlast.HecomparesScarletttoachildcryingforthemoon:“I’msorryforyou-sorrytoseeyouthrowingawayhappinesswithbothhandsandreachingoutforsomethingthatwouldnevermakeyouhappy…”[14]Scarlett’sidealizationofAshleyslowlyfadesastimegoeson,andshefinallyseesthattheAshleyshelovesisnotarealmanbutamanembellishedandadornedbyherimagination.“IlovesomethingImadeup,somethingthat’sjustasdeadasMellyis.Imadeaprettysuitofclothesandfellinlovewithit.AndwhenAshleycameridingalong,sohandsome,sodifference,Iputthatsuitonhimandmadehimwearitwhetheritfittedhimornot.AndIwouldn’tseewhathereallywas.Ikeptonlovingtheprettyclothes-andnothimatall.”[15]AfterMelanie’death,ScarlettfindsthatAshleyhasneverlovedforMelanie,tohim,sheisonlyadreamthathelivedandbreathedanddidnotdieinthe