Sunday, February 24, 2008

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

"These things I have named are but symbols of the things for which I risk my life, symbols of the kind of life I love.  For I am fighting for the old days, the old ways I love so much but which, I fear, are no gone forever, no matter how the die may fall.  For, win or lose, we lose just the same." (Ashley)

"She could look back, unmoved, at the pretty Scarlett with her fragile green morocco slippers and her flounces fragrant with lavender, but she wondered if she could be that same girl.  Scarlett O' Hara with the country  at her feet, a hundred slaves to do her bidding, the wealth of Tara like a wall behind her...somewhere, on the long road that would through those for ears, the girl with her sachet and dancing slippers had slipped away and there was left a women with sharp green eyes, who counted pennies and turned her hands into many menial tasks, a woman to whom nothing was left from the wreckage except the indestructible red earth on which she stood."

"Who am I to say?  I only know what I did, both when I was thrown out and nowadays.  I only know what other men have done.  We saw opportunity in the ruin of a civilization and we made the most of our opportunity, some honestly, some shadily, and we are still making the most of it." (Rhett)

"For years she had had her back against the stone wall of Rhett's love and had taken it as much for granted as she had taken Melanie's love, flattering herself that she drew her strength from herself alone."

"I'll think of it all tomorrow at Tara.  I can stand it then.  Tomorrow, I'll think of some way to get him back.  After all, tomorrow is another day." (Scarlett)