Beatrice Tarleton Character Analysis in Gone with the Wind

Beatrice Tarleton is the headstrong, red-haired mother of Brent Tarleton, Stuart Tarleton, and Hetty, Camilla, Randa, and Betsy Tarleton. She runs a huge plantation and is admired by all, especially Gerald O’Hara, for her exceptional horsemanship and skill at breeding horses. Gerald persuades her to donate her fine mares and colts to the Confederate Cause. After the war, many people feel that she is heartbroken more over the death of her horses than the death of her sons. However, she has two elaborate tombstones made in Brent and Stuart’s honor, something Scarlett feels is a foolish expense during a time of such poverty.

Beatrice Tarleton Character Timeline in Gone with the Wind

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

Charmed by Scarlett, Brent and Stuart give up the subject of war. Scarlett asks how Beatrice Tarleton, the twins’ mother, reacted to their expulsion from college this time (they’ve been expelled... (full context)

The Civil War and Reconstruction Theme Icon

...over the time Stuart shot her stepson Cade in the leg. Brent points out that Beatrice had made jokes when Tony Fontaine shot him in the leg. The twins consider going... (full context)

...Stuart decide to go to Able’s. When Jeems complains, Stuart tells him to go to Beatrice and tell her they won’t be home for supper. Jeems says he’d rather stay out... (full context)

Looking Forward vs. Looking Back Theme Icon

...this off. Gerald hears the Tarletons’ carriage coming and his face lights up. He likes Mrs. Tarleton almost as much as his own wife; he admires how well she handles her horses. (full context)

The O’Haras’ carriage stops at a crossroads as Beatrice Tarleton drives up, the reins in her hands and her four daughters squeezed into the... (full context)

...Tareltons greet the O’Haras as if they hadn’t seen them in years. Gerald says to Beatrice that her daughters, fine as they are, have nothing on their mother. The four Tarleton... (full context)

Practicality, Tenacity, and Selfishness Theme Icon

Gerald asks Beatrice why she isn’t riding Nellie. After several playful remarks, Beatrice says Nellie foaled this morning.... (full context)

Beatrice insists it’s wrong to marry one’s cousins. She explains that human breeding is like horse... (full context)

Before parting, Gerald asks Beatrice if she’ll donate horses to the Troop. She can’t pay so little attention to the... (full context)

...is clearly desperate to get every man in attendance to notice her. Scarlett wonders if Mrs. Tarleton is right that inbreeding weakened the family. John and Ashley Wilkes are handsome, but Honey... (full context)

...John Wilkes. Scarlett is shocked. John Wilkes is nearly 70. Then she sees John on Mrs. Tarleton ’s mare, Nellie. Scarlett clasps his hand, telling him not to go. John says that... (full context)

...the war. Henry says that John Wilkes was brave and asks Scarlett to also tell Mrs. Tarleton that her mare is dead. Scarlett nods and kisses Henry goodbye. (full context)

...one day, Scarlett, Melanie, Suellen, and Carreen go to the ruins of the Tarleton house. Beatrice Tarleton sits on the fence staring moodily into space. The stables, usually full of horses,... (full context)

After the meal, Carreen whispers something to Mrs. Tarleton . Mrs. Tarleton puts her arm around Carreen and they walk outside together. Scarlett follows.... (full context)

...by trying to make him break loyalty to the South. Mr. McRae, Grandma Fontaine, and Mrs. Tarleton —Gerald’s closest friends—are particularly angry at her. Will and Ashley talk in Ellen’s office about... (full context)

...would’ve called him Pa. He announces he is going to marry Suellen. The crowd mutters. Mrs. Tarleton ’s eyes snap, but Will’s eyes silently dare her to criticize his fiancé. Will says... (full context)

...it is—is broken. Mourning would be selfish, for Gerald is happier dead. Then Will asks Mrs. Tarleton to take Scarlett out of the hot sun. Scarlett is humiliated that Will has drawn... (full context)

Grandma Fontaine says Will was really just trying to remove her and Mrs. Tarleton before they said anything disruptive, and to spare Scarlett the sight of the dirt piling... (full context)

...made her mad so she’d forget about Gerald, and thanks her. The old lady smiles. Mrs. Tarleton comes back with the buttermilk and says the guests are coming inside. (full context)