Despicable Characters from Classic TV

[iris lilies]

I mean it's probably not GREAT, but it's good. Scarlett does NOT know herself. The romance was the least important part of Scarlett's character. There's a great scene where she returns home to Tara and visits the neighboring plantation, where she has a conversation with the destitute matriarch. And the woman tells Scarlett that it is her ability to endure, to persevere, to bend with the winds of change that makes her strong, that makes her successful, that makes her a survivor, while about her, the gentry class is dying, "gone with the wind." THAT is a great scene. if you get bogged down with Scarlett's love interests, it's missing the point of the story. And Scarlett doesn't even get it. She thinks the matriarch is stupid and boring. That's the point. People overlook the power of Scarlett's character. Is she nice? No. Is she good...not really, but not really bad. But Scarlett is a survivor.

This is all true, I like everything you’re saying about Scarlet.

[rosarugosa]

Yes Tiam, I think you describe her very well. I would say that she certainly isn't likeable in the sense that one would want her for a friend, and she really wasn't a very nice person. On the other hand, she is extremely likeable in the sense of being one of the great characters of fiction.

[rosarugosa]

By the way (since we've drifted from TV to movies and literature), did anyone else read the lame sequel to GWTW, Scarlett by Alexandra Ripley? It's been quite awhile since I read it, but I recall that the author kind of whitewashed Scarlett, like she was a really nice person deep down inside, she was just misunderstood, i.e. Scarlett was not Scarlett.

[iris lilies]

By the way (since we've drifted from TV to movies and literature), did anyone else read the lame sequel to GWTW, Scarlett by Alexandra Ripley? It's been quite awhile since I read it, but I recall that the author kind of whitewashed Scarlett, like she was a really nice person deep down inside, she was just misunderstood, i.e. Scarlett was not Scarlett.

Nope

[rosarugosa]

Nope

Good for you! I should have known better, but I guess I didn't.

[happystuff]

I was about 18 when I read GWTW. I realized that it was a very well-written book because of the intense dislike I had for Scarlet. I felt she was a self-centered, whiny, spoiled brat who only stepped up when it would directly effect her, and even then, if what she did HAPPENED to benefit anyone else, okay, but her focus was ALWAYS on herself first.

See! I told you it was an intense dislike!!!

[Tiam]

I was about 18 when I read GWTW. I realized that it was a very well-written book because of the intense dislike I had for Scarlet. I felt she was a self-centered, whiny, spoiled brat who only stepped up when it would directly effect her, and even then, if what she did HAPPENED to benefit anyone else, okay, but her focus was ALWAYS on herself first.

See! I told you it was an intense dislike!!!

Well, it's true. I don't think you're unique in that. I don't think people are supposed to like Scarlett. It's part of the theme of the story.

[Tiam]

Nope

I did. I didn't really love it. Barely remember it, actually, where as GWTW is seared into my consciousness.