*sigh* Gone With the Wind. What is there to say about GWTW? This is a classic American movie for so many reasons. The thing that had the most impact on me was the complexity of Scarlett O'Hara's character. My exact thoughts were, "Scarlett is as complex a character as Elizabeth Bennett in 'Pride and Prejudice.'" You might disagree with me and you can speak your peace. But, women are all the same. Torn by emotions, dictated by feelings and distracted by matters of the heart. I enjoy movies like these where you can really relate to the characters. Now, I'm not saying I can relate to being married to multiple men that I don't love or selfish beyond reason, but I understand the thoughts she has (well, most of them, anyway).
Something else that really just exhausted me was the amount of trauma poor Scarlett had to go through. I wonder how many years pass in the movie. Since the war was only 4 years, it can't be much more than that. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. Since Scarlett was 16 when the movie began, she couldn't have been more than early 20's when it ended. Think of all the tragedy she went through by that age (the age most of us are!) Her mother and father died, her first two husbands died, her only child died, she had to shoot someone up close, she couldn't have the only man she really loved (Ashley), she had to deliver Ashley and Melanie's child, she got divorced, she got attacked by carpetbaggers, her beloved Tara was raided and Melanie died (the only woman that stuck up for her). Good thing she did have a fiery personality! I wouldn't have been able to live through all that.
Speaking of her fiery personality, wow! What a beast of a woman! We would not have been friends. I couldn't believe how selfish she was! Ugh, she made me mad. On another note, I could not believe those outfits they wore! They were so huge and I cannot believe people actually wore those. My friend Mindy (hi!) lives in Alabama and says that it has been so incredibly hot this summer and I can only imagine that it wasn't so different back in Scarlett's time. With highs in the hundreds every day, I can't imagine wearing that big frock! It made me appreciate my shorts and t-shirt I wore today. Mindy, I think you should comment about Fred Crane. When I was watching the movie, I was trying to figure out which one was him!
So, believe it or not, I have another Golden Girls reference. If you doubted my love of the Girls, you won't anymore. I was watching an episode tonight, one that I've seen a hundred times and I recognized a GWTW reference. Blanche received an offer on the house and while they were sitting at the table talking about it, Blanche decides she's going to have to go to bed and just think about it tomorrow. She says, "After all, tomorrow is another day," and Dorothy says, "Calm down, Scarlett, there's no need to be so dramatic." I LOVE THE GIRLS! If this project accomplishes anything, it will be that it helps me understand the Golden Girls jokes and references. Now, can anyone tell me what a Mrs. Kirkegaard reference would be about?
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And that's how the story reads.....
OK, I now have the exact conversation between Blanche and Sofia where they referenced Mrs. Kirkegaard. Blanche says, "Sofia, you're not making any sense," and Sofia says, "Excuse me, Mrs. Kirkegaard, it's 4AM!" Is it referencing Soren Kirkegaard, famous philosopher, theologian, religious author, and psychologist?
ReplyDeleteI'm proud of you for sticking through a few movies you haven't really liked. I'm especially excited to hear about books that you read. This summer I read "The Jungle" which is definitely classic American and you need to include in your list.
ReplyDeleteGWTW sounds much more exciting hearing it from you than I remember, thanks! :)
Ah yes, Gone With The Wind. One of the worst movies I have ever seen. Not very many movies can make me depressed, but this one did. I also now hate the Civil War more than ever, obviously this movie did not have a good effect on me. I am looking forward to the next movie so I can purge this one from my memory!
ReplyDeleteThis is my favorite movie ever. You should try the book. It's a difficult read but so different dim the movie. Scarlett is a whole other woman. So since you are trying to read American classics, I suggest it. I have some students read Fallen Angels. I think it's considered an American classic. I am working on a list for you. Good luck with your project. It sounds like fun.
ReplyDelete"Gone with the Wind" is truly one of the great American classics . . . and one of my least favorite movies of all time (sorry, Heather). Scarlett IS an amazing woman, and I'd say that it's not too far from a realistic depiction of how a life could have been in that dark period of history. It's very well-made; I just don't personally care for it. I'll refrain from commenting on the frock ;) As for "Mrs. Kierkegaard, I'd say yeah, that was probably a reference to Soren.
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