Gone with the Wind


As the 60th anniversary of “Gone With the Wind” approaches, it's important to acknowledge that the film presents a sentimental and nostalgic portrayal of the Civil War. The “Old South” is depicted as a romanticized Camelot, and the war is portrayed as a means to give Miss Scarlett O'Hara her comeuppance rather than to defeat the Confederacy or free slaves. Despite this, the movie remains a cinematic masterpiece because it tells an engrossing story and does so brilliantly.

The timing of the film's release was crucial to its success. Scarlett O'Hara, the film's protagonist, is a product of the 1930s, not the 1860s. She embodies the free-spirited and willful attitude of modern women in that era. This portrayal was made possible by the influence of flappers during Fitzgerald's jazz age, daring movie actresses of the period, and the economic reality of the Depression, which forced many women to work outside of their homes for the first time. The film's story resonated with audiences because it reflected the changing times and attitudes towards gender roles.



In summary, while "Gone With the Wind" may have some flaws in its portrayal of history, it is still an outstanding movie that captured the spirit of its time. Scarlett O'Hara is a character who embodies the changing role of women in society, and the film's success can be attributed to its reflection of the shifting attitudes and values of the 1930s