Gone with the Wind: Chapter 58 Summary & Analysis

After Scarlett’s illness, Rhett is different, and Scarlett doesn’t like it. He is kinder and more present, but also more impersonal. When they used to fight, at least she knew he cared about her, but now she feels he doesn’t care at all. He focuses only on Bonnie. Scarlett, who likes to be the center of attention, is jealous. Rhett hangs out with the Old Guard now, such as Hugh Elsing and Dr. Meade, instead of Scallawags. Scarlett starts to fear Rhett has joined the Klan like Frank.

One night, Scarlett intercepts Rhett in the hall and asks if he joined the Klan. He laughs and says there is no Klan; the Klan was disbanded a while ago, and Governor Bullock was just passing rumors to the federal government to keep the South under Northern rule. Scarlett is relieved that Rhett won’t be killed like Frank. She asks if Rhett had anything to do with breaking up the Klan. Rhett says he and Ashley were jointly responsible; although they didn’t like each other they had similar political views. Soon, Rhett says, their old Republican friends and the governor will be in jail.

Rhett says the next governor will be a Democrat; per Scarlett’s long-ago comment that Rhett’s Confederate gold belonged to the Confederacy, he’s been donating money to the Democratic party. Scarlett says he’s pouring money down a “rat-hole”; the Yankees are too established in Georgia to leave. Rhett says he doesn’t believe in politics, but he’s doing this for Bonnie’s sake. He starts toward his room where Bonnie is calling him, but Scarlett stops him to ask that he stop taking Bonnie to political meetings. Rhett asks how she can find issue with Bonnie sitting on her father’s lap rallying for the Democrats. Scarlett says that Rhett probably tells Bonnie Scarlett’s a Scallawag. Rhett laughs and goes to Bonnie.

In October, Bullock resigns amid accusations of corruption and misuse of public funds. Atlanta is proud and happy, ready to thank God for returning Georgia to its own people. Reconstruction seems to be almost over, and the next governor will surely be a Democrat. Carpetbaggers, Scallawags, and Republicans linger uneasily, then leave town. Scarlett is bewildered. She hates the Yankees and will never forget what they did to her, but in trying to survive she made friends with them. But now, Rhett is friends with the Old Guard again. He rides around with Bonnie, and Scarlett feels left out.