‘Gone With The Wind’ - what’s the current opinion, if that’s not too broad a question?
Hi gang,
I’ve just re-read Gone With The Wind, which I read at University and haven’t touched since. When I read it then, I didn’t know anything like what I do now about the Civil War … but I haven’t been able to stop myself from recoiling at some of the language and attitudes towards the slave population. OK, I know it’s a book ‘of its time’ and from a particular perspective, and in principle believe that anything characteristic of its time shouldn’t be reverse-engineered or glossed over. There’s a huge tension between a thoroughly good read about a crucial time in history and the way that time is described. But I’m curious to know how the book is treated in the USA now - is it issued with the equivalent of a Government Health Warning? Would parents keep it out of reach of their children ‘until they’re old enough to understand …?’ It’s difficult to find the exact words with which to phrase the question, but can anyone say anything about how the book is treated now?
February 6th, 2010 at 10:34 am
I don’t know about the language in the copy you read, but I read my gramma’s books a few years ago. It is from the first printing and other than the language of the time being used, the book did not contain any other form of foul language. In order to reach an understanding of the temperament and extremes involved with the Civil War, the racial slurs and what would be considered horrible and unforgivable in our time, were the common, normal way of speaking in most areas. I think if a child was to read this and not be raised to respect everyone, no matter the race, religion…, then before the child reads it, it should be explained to them; if it were a school assignment or mandatory reading of some form. "Gone With the Wind" is an incredible piece of work for both entertainment and a historical view at the way life was during those times
I do not feel it is correct to hide the truth so as not to offend anyone; same as I find unnecessarily using racial slurs a tragedy for the ignorant person who uses them in our day and age. I will say, the book is much better than the movie and I recommend anyone who saw the movie and has not read the book, may want to think about picking up a copy. Even your opinion of the characters and their actions will change drastically in the book.
I recently checked the local history books used in the schools in my area and am appalled that neither the Korean Conflict or Viet Nam (War or Police Action?) is still not there. At least with this book and movie, "Gone With the Wind" depicts a truer reason for the Civil War than just the North and South not wanting to play nice with each other anymore.
I am not positive, but I believe Carol Burnets scene as Scarlet wearing the Curtains is still the longest sustained laugh on a live show, if any of you recall that episode!
February 6th, 2010 at 10:34 am
If you think that’s bad, watch "Birth of a Nation"
It was once applauded as the best movie of it’s time and the most accurate civil war documentary. There’s no hiding the racism of that era.
February 6th, 2010 at 10:34 am
it is a great classic and it should be this way also with song of the south but disney is no longer producing it…boohoo….cuz I LOVE IT
February 6th, 2010 at 10:34 am
One of the best books ever written. And, of course the movie was a classic.
Things were as they were in that time. The author just wrote a book about it.
February 6th, 2010 at 10:34 am
I believe that Gone With the Wind is one of the most well written novels of all time. I think it is a not only a wonderful piece of literature but it is also very accurate with the things that were going on in that time frame.
I wouldn’t keep it out of reach of my children. I wouldn’t expect them to even want to read it until they were older since it’s about 800 or more pages long.
It’s an amazing book and I don’t have any issue with it
February 6th, 2010 at 10:34 am
There have been several authors that used this type of social commentary in their works. Mark Twain, Flannery O’Connor, etc.
We read these books in all of their gruesome detail as a way of not only connecting and understanding the people of that period, but to also use as a marker (if you will) of how much we have grown as a people.
Here in the South, Gone with the Wind is still a rather cherished work. Many people here still have strong ties and connection to the Confederacy.
February 6th, 2010 at 10:34 am
It’s a great book for illustrating and teaching about how the South was in those days. With an eye towards how the South has progressed since then. It has, somewhat.
February 6th, 2010 at 10:34 am
I don’t know how other people see it, but I think it’s an interesting perspective on how the South viewed–and in some parts, still does view–the Civil War and the abolishment of slavery. History truly is written by the victor. I don’t think anyone realizes how bad the South was during Reconstruction, and I also don’t think they realize how much the South lost during the War. Some may say they brought it on themselves… but I think it’s more complicated than that.
Anyway, I love the book. I’ve read it many times… and the movie always makes me cry. I just keep in mind that that’s how things were. Maybe someday people will look at our time the same way we look at the past.
February 6th, 2010 at 10:34 am
and liking it very much. I didn’t like the movie though.
I thought you might be interested in something that happened in an English class at the graduate level (Master’s Degree) about 10 years ago. There were five of us discussing literature and one student (who was born in Cuba) asked about Gone With the Wind. The Professor sort of glossed it over by saying "we don’t count that book here." I found that an incredible statement since it is a window on American Southern Plantation culture. I think she was embarrassed by the book and dismissed it this way, but obviously this student wanted to know why "it didn’t count" since this book has had a strong influence on American culture as a whole. Most people have either read the book or seen the movie and it is read around the world.
I will be interested in the answers you get with this question, Valerie.