When Ashley hands Scarlett the dirt, she realizes again that land is more important and lasting than love, as Gerald had once told her. Scarlett has now gone back and forth between land and love, unsure which is more valuable to her. When she doesn’t have love, she turns to the land, but some part her keeps pursuing Ashley. In this moment, the thought of Tara empowers Scarlett to realize she doesn’t need Ashley to feel powerful.