GWTW

  After watching the first half of Gone with the Wind, I could feel the emotional intensity coming alive in the movie. What stood out to me most was the flaws and complexity of the female characters, such as Scarlett O'Hara, the main female lead who embodies the characteristics of manipulation, power, selfishness, and control, which are typically condemned. Most importantly, she is not intrigued by being the "proper lady" society expects her to portray; instead, she is determined to pursue her desires unapologetically, regardless of social norms. She is a lady who seeks to find independence in a world that tries to suppress women's aspirations, only to conform to what society expects. We have seen many women in war stepping outside traditional roles and proving their strengths, like in WWII, an iconic poster of a woman in a Red Bandana saying the words "We Can Do It" has become a powerful symbol of women's empowerment. As men had to fight in the war, numerous women took control of the workforce, engaging in manual labor, which allowed them to shed their silence and become more independent. 

Mammy, who is played by Hattie McDaniel, is a black woman who works for the O'Hara family. Even within the constraints of being an enslaved woman, she is constantly seen as a woman who commands respect in the household. A person who is a slave will rarely have the behavior that you saw in Mammy's character; this aspect sheds new light on what we never see during the time of slavery. She has a voice that enables her to speak the truth and call out redundant behavior that others may not. As she says, "actin' like po' white trash," while talking to Scarlett, insinuates that Mammy is the one in control of everything in the household and was never just a mere slave to the O'Hara's. What makes her more intriguing is the way she never holds back her tongue to spare people what they do not want to hear. 

From what I understand, Rhett Butler profited off the war instead of joining it. I think some people might see that as selfish, but others might say he was just being smart and realistic. He didn’t believe in the war and didn’t want to waste his life on something he thought would fail. His choice might seem strange, but honestly, I don’t think it’s that unusual. Even today, some people find ways to make a profit during wars by selling weapons, supplies, or doing business with the military. It doesn’t mean it’s always right, but it shows that in hard times, some people focus on survival or profit instead of fighting. I think it depends on the person and their values.