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Who do the characters in Gone With Wind represent?

The characters in Gone With Wind represent various archetypes and symbolize different aspects of human nature and society. Here are some key characters and their symbolic meanings:

Scarlett O'Hara: Scarlett represents resilience, ambition, and determination. Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks, she is driven by her strong will and desire to achieve her goals.

Rhett Butler: Rhett symbolizes independence, freedom, and unconventional thinking. He represents a contrast to the traditional values and social norms of the antebellum South.

Melanie Hamilton: Melanie embodies kindness, compassion, and unwavering loyalty. She serves as a moral compass for the other characters and exemplifies traditional Southern values.

Ashley Wilkes: Ashley represents idealism, honor, and traditionalism. He holds onto the past and struggles to adapt to the changing world around him.

Mammy: Mammy symbolizes the strength and resilience of African American women during the slavery era. She represents the role of black women as nurturers and protectors within Southern families.

Prissy: Prissy embodies the struggles and complexities of being a slave in the antebellum South. She portrays the reality of living under constant fear and the challenges of navigating a racist society.

Gerald O'Hara: Gerald represents the traditional plantation owner and symbolizes the patriarchal values of the old South. His death marks the end of an era and the coming of significant changes.

Ellen O'Hara: Ellen symbolizes the strong matriarch and traditional Southern womanhood. Her death leaves a gap in the family and signifies the end of a certain way of life.

Beauregard Butler: Beauregard, also known as "Bonnie Blue," represents the innocence and loss of childhood during the Civil War. His death symbolizes the devastating impact of the war on families and communities.

Frank Kennedy: Frank symbolizes the new South and the reconstruction era. He represents the challenges of adapting to a changing society and the tensions between the old and new orders.

Overall, the characters in Gone With Wind are masterfully crafted to embody human qualities and symbolize various aspects of society, providing rich symbolism and depth to the novel's exploration of themes such as war, resilience, love, and social change.

Drama

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