Archie Character Analysis in Gone with the Wind

Archie is a veteran and ex-convict who lives for a while at Melanie’s house in Atlanta. He has a long, grizzled beard, a mountain accent, and a wooden leg. He killed his wife after finding her in bed with his brother and was sentenced to life in prison. During the war, he was released on the condition that he fight for the Confederate Army. For a while, he’s Scarlett’s bodyguard while she does business around Atlanta, but he quits after she hires a convict gang at her mill. Having been in prison himself, he finds abusing convicts immoral. He hangs around at Melanie’s, developing a deep respect and devotion towards her. Melanie turns him out when he accuses Scarlett of having an affair with Ashley.

Archie Character Timeline in Gone with the Wind

The timeline below shows where the character Archie appears in Gone with the Wind. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Practicality, Tenacity, and Selfishness Theme Icon

...way he rolls his r’s. He carries a heavy pistol. The man introduces himself as Archie; Melanie sent him to drive Scarlett around and protect her from Blacks and Yankees. Scarlett... (full context)

The Civil War and Reconstruction Theme Icon

Most of the time, Archie is silent, although once he tells Scarlett he hates “niggers” as much as he hates... (full context)

One morning, Archie drives Scarlett to Hugh’s mill and she finds that the free Black workers have deserted... (full context)

Scarlett doesn’t understand why Archie would fight for a state that took away 40 years of his life. She remembers... (full context)

Looking Forward vs. Looking Back Theme Icon

As Archie and Scarlett drive home, they see a crowd outside of the Girl of the Period... (full context)

...pride and submit to the Yankees. Grandpa Merriwether accuses him of disloyalty. Tension rises, and Archie’s hand goes to his gun. Angry, Ashley says he didn’t believe in the war, but... (full context)

The next day, Scarlett leases ten convicts to work at her mills and Archie refuses to drive her. Everyone says it’s wrong of Scarlett to take advantage of the... (full context)

...Melanie’s, the women sit by the fire sewing. The children sleep in the nursery, and Archie sits by the fire chewing tobacco. Melanie chats on about the Lady Harpists’ group. Scarlett... (full context)

Archie spits tobacco juice into the fire and India scolds him. Miss Pitty says she’s glad... (full context)

Archie silences them and says he hears someone coming. Rhett Butler announces himself and Melanie flings... (full context)

...to know what’s happening. India says it means Scarlett has probably killed Ashley and Frank. Archie tells them to keep sewing because the Yankees might be spying on them. They obey.... (full context)

Scarlett asks what Rhett was talking about. Archie says that because of Scarlett’s incident that afternoon, Ashley and Frank and the KKK set... (full context)

...into a chair, and Melanie scolds Rhett for bringing her husband home drunk. Melanie tells Archie to put Ashley to bed, pretending that this happens all the time. The Yankee sergeant... (full context)

...him. Noticing her distress, Rhett tells her to brace up; he won’t die. Rhett tells Archie where to find the bodies and instructs him to hide them behind Belle’s so it... (full context)

...says she’s had a horrible day. Scarlett asks if Frank is at Belle’s. Rhett says Archie is carrying Frank to the vacant lot. He was shot through the head. (full context)

...a surprise party for Ashley’s birthday. She makes everyone swear to keep it a surprise. Archie offers to hang colorful paper lanterns, trying to seem nonchalant. Melanie smiles, and whispers to... (full context)

Scarlett grumbles about Melanie still having that “desperado” Archie in her house. Melanie says he’s harmless, and India says he’s devoted to Melanie and... (full context)

...the arms of an old friend. Suddenly, Ashley wrenches away because he sees that India, Archie, and Mrs. Elsing are standing in the doorway. (full context)

...thinking of how Melanie will feel. Then her heart stops when she thinks of Rhett. Archie will tell Rhett everything. At home, she gets into bed, telling herself that she’ll worry... (full context)

...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... (full context)