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Manning, Carol S. “The Belle Gone Bad- and Just Gone.” The Southern Literary Journal. 37.1 (2004). < http://proxy.library.upenn.edu:2298/journals/southern_literary_journal/v037/37.1manning.html>
“The Belle Gone Bad- and Just Gone” offers a critical analysis of the image of the “Southern Bell” throughout history. According to author Carol S. Manning, the “Belle Gone Bad,” popularized by characters like Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With the Wind, is an exaggerated, flirtatious version of the traditional Southern Belle that serves to critique the traditional practice of patriarchy in the South. In traditional literature, the “dark seductress” characters, like “bad belle” Scarlett, generally perishes while the pure, “good belle” survives. However, Margaret Mitchell, along with other feminist writers of the period, reverses this trend, granting strength and ultimate success to their untraditional protagonists.
Manning’s article define the evolution of mythological and romanticized images of Southern women as “Southern Belles” and highlights the characteristics that separates her from the realistic woman of the period. As the most famous Southern Belle in history, Vivien Leigh’s depiction of Scarlett O’Hara serves as the most poignant personification of the glorified Southern woman. Her character that balances a demure disposition with a strong will, and challenges the patriarchal society in which she was raised. While Scarlett’s character is reflective of a “believable” Southern woman of the period, it is important to note the influence of Hollywood melodrama on her character. Such influence undoubtedly adds to the mythic, fairy-tale like aspects of Leigh’s depiction of Scarlett O’Hara.
tagged gone_with_the_wind margaret_mitchell scarlett_o'hara vivien_leigh by buzbykm ...on 02-DEC-08
This article examines the character of Scarlett O’Hara in a psychological sense. It looks over her characteristics and social tendencies in an effort to categorize her psychological personality.
Deeks uses Adler’s four types of people, which are categorized by their interest in society and their manner of gaining or working towards perfection. There are three types that actively seek out their goals as well as avoid outside problems and have low societal interest. They are the ruling type, the getting type and the avoiding type. The last type is the socially useful type, which works well and cooperates with his or her society. Deek argues that Scarlett is the getting type.
Deeks identifies certain characteristics which make this type the most suitable for Scarlett. Scarlett is conniving and manipulative towards everyone around her. She uses people to get what she wants through coercion and seduction. She does not cooperate with those around her or attempt to improve the society which she is a part of. She only works to get what she wants and nothing else. This does not make her happy because she cannot interact with the people around her in a way that is not manipulative.
This article gives a specific view of Scarlett as a character and a human being. It is a psychological examination of a character as a human being and not just a fictional being. That makes the character more tangible and provides a different angle of the film.
tagged Gone_with_the_Wind Margaret_Mitchell Scarlett_O'hara psychology by ajlyons ...on 06-APR-06