Scarlett O'Hara
Scarlett O'Hara, one of the most famous literary characters of all time, is the heroine of Margaret Mitchell's 1936 book Gone with the Wind. Mitchell called her protagonist "Pansy" in early manuscripts of the original book and did not decide on "Scarlett" until shortly before the novel's publication.
At the beginning of the story, Scarlett O'Hara is sixteen years old. She is arrogant, self-centered, and spoiled by her parents' money. She may also be insecure; yet, despite the Old South's façade of ignorance and helplessness, she is very clever. Scarlett's strong personality is quite rare among Southern ladies, who society prefers to portray as delicate creatures in need of constant care.
Scarlett's character is presented as unscrupulous and selfish in both the book and the 1939 film, yet her character growth reveals various stigmas that reinforce Mitchell's concept. In a brief interview, Mitchell acknowledged that the novel's central topic was "survival" - especially examining human conduct in the midst of the Civil War's devastation. Years later, critics and writers agree that Scarlett's transformation from a spoiled and affluent girl - typical of her social status - into a strong and independent person in a cruel society and shaky economy exemplifies Mitchell's character development.
Book: Gone With The Wind
Author: Margarett Mitchell
