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Chapter 54
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Gone with the Wind, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
The Civil War and Reconstruction
Looking Forward vs. Looking Back
Classism and Racism
Practicality, Tenacity, and Selfishness
Women and Power
Summary
Analysis
The next day, Melanie covers Scarlett’s mouth and says she doesn’t want an apology. She says that she, Ashley, and Scarlett have been like three soldiers fighting the world together, and she knows Scarlett better than anyone; she knows the rumors about Scarlett and Ashley are nothing but nasty lies. Scarlett feels she has to confess, because Melanie stood between her and social ruin. Her conscience bothers her. It’ll be torture to tell Melanie the truth, even though Scarlett once wanted to hurt Melanie with the truth of her feelings for Ashley. But now, Scarlett wants Melanie to think she’s good. When Melanie refuses to let Scarlett confess, Scarlett realizes confessing is selfish—it’ll ruin Melanie’s life. Scarlett’s punishment will be to endure Melanie’s kindness forever, and to know she doesn’t deserve it.
Scarlett shows that she has changed because her feelings towards Melanie have changed. She used to have such a low opinion of Melanie that she wanted to hurt her. Now, she realizes that telling the truth would be selfish: it would hurt Melanie and soothe Scarlett’s own conscience. Therefore, Scarlett resists a selfish impulse for the first time in her life. While her conscience had plagued her about killing Frank, she’d only wanted to relieve her own guilt. Now, she considers Melanie’s feelings and decides to selflessly endure her guilt.
Themes
Melanie sews, trying to control her anger. She says that everyone is jealous because Scarlett is smart and successful. Mrs. Elsing hates Scarlett because she is more popular than Fanny. Archie is a bad man and she never should’ve housed him, and India is still upset that Scarlett took Stuart from her. Melanie says India is vile, and she never wants to see her again. Then she says sadly that it must be hard for India that Melanie loves Scarlett better than her.
Melanie views everyone’s hatred of Scarlett as petty, stemming mostly from jealousy. She also sees that everyone’s issue with Scarlett comes from past slights. In defending Scarlett, Melanie shows not only that she’s an independent thinker but also that she is open-minded enough to accept people who are different from her.
Themes
Scarlett starts to cry, feeling like she ruined Ashley’s life and forced him to cut ties with his sister. He’ll always look into India’s eyes and see the horrible truth that he betrayed Melanie by pursuing Scarlett. It must torture him to be sheltered by Melanie because he values honor so highly. Scarlett realizes that she would respect Ashley more if he came clean. For the first time, her love for him fades slightly. Melanie hugs Scarlett, saying that her enemies are Melanie’s enemies too. Scarlett knows she has caused a divide in Atlanta that will last for generations.
Scarlett and Ashley are both protected by Melanie’s unconditional goodwill. However, Scarlett finds that, even though she isn’t coming clean, she wishes Ashley would because then she could respect him more. She thinks it would be the manly thing for him to confess, whereas it is the perhaps more traditionally feminine thing for her to protect Melanie’s feelings and stay silent.
Themes
True to her word, Melanie cut ties with each of Scarlett’s haters. She goes with Scarlett everywhere, brings her along to call on neighbors, and won’t let anyone speak nastily to Scarlett. Everyone has to choose sides, but the question is not whether Scarlett is innocent but rather who is more trustworthy, India, or Melanie. Those on Melanie’s side say Melanie wouldn’t associate with an adulterer. Those on India’s side say Rhett’s absence adds to Scarlett’s suspiciousness. Also, the fact that Scarlett is now pregnant despite not sharing a bedroom with her husband suggests she is carrying Ashley’s baby. The gossip tears families apart and causes rifts everywhere. Everyone resents Scarlett for causing the first conflict between Atlanta’s most dignified families.
The rift between Melanie and India—two respected women of the same family—tears apart the tight-knit Old Guard. The group of dignified families who make up the Old Guard have all been united in solidarity against the Northern forces sweeping the state following the Civil War. The fact that people hate Scarlett and not Ashley for supposedly carrying his baby also drives home that the Old Guard is willing to excuse men’s behavior, but not women’s.
Themes
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Miss Pitty suffers the most because she loves Melanie but relies on India to live with her and care for her. Pitty’s fear of having to leave her house causes her to choose India’s side. Scarlett stops sending her money, and India refuses the money Ashley tries to send. Melanie treats Pitty coldly. In the end, a few people believe Scarlett is innocent. But if it weren’t for Melanie, everyone in Atlanta would hate Scarlett.
Melanie cuts ties even with her closest relatives in order to defend Scarlett. She feels that, even though her fellow Atlantans have been through a lot with her, none of them have been through what she and Scarlett have endured together—not even Ashley.
Themes
