Carreen O’Hara Character Analysis in Gone with the Wind

Carreen is Scarlett’s youngest sister. She is sweet-tempered, timid, and religious. While Scarlett is in Atlanta, Carreen gets engaged to Brent Tarleton who is later killed in the war. Carreen never forgets him, believing that future young men will never replace the strong young men the South lost in the war. She ultimately decides to join a convent in Charleston.

Carreen O’Hara Character Timeline in Gone with the Wind

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

After Scarlett, Susan Elinor (Suellen) and Caroline Irene (Carreen) were born. Ellen transformed Tara, bringing to it dignity, order, and grace. She planted wisteria... (full context)

Practicality, Tenacity, and Selfishness Theme Icon

Gerald resumes ranting about the war while the Scarlett, Carreen, and Suellen daydream. Scarlett can’t understand why her father keeps talking about the war when... (full context)

...a fly-brusher behind her as she eats. As soon as Ellen sits, Scarlett, Suellen, and Carreen ask her questions about a ball, and Gerald starts to talk about the war. (full context)

The carriage departs for the Wilkeses’ house, Twelve Oaks, carrying Scarlett, Suellen, Carreen, and Gerald. Scarlett is glad neither Mammy nor Ellen are with them; she’ll have the... (full context)

...Oaks again. They’d always adored each other till Scarlett stole him. And Brent is courting Carreen at Tara. Scarlett, upset to lose two beaus who had been obsessed with her, protests... (full context)

...the war commissary that Scarlett has no time to talk to them, and Suellen and Carreen are caught up in their romances. Scarlett is always relieved to go back to Atlanta... (full context)

The Civil War and Reconstruction Theme Icon

Looking Forward vs. Looking Back Theme Icon

...haven’t gotten to Tara. Gerald boasts about the bravery of the Confederates and mentions that Carreen has typhoid fever. Ellen asks Scarlett to pray for her. Feeling guilty, Scarlett tries to... (full context)

...news of the battle’s progress, she also receives letters from Gerald informing her that first Carreen, and then Ellen and Suellen, are very ill. Scarlett prays for her mother. (full context)

...Wade a drink of water. With bleeding fingers, Scarlett holds Gerald’s hand and asks if Carreen, Suellen, and Ellen are well. Gerald says the girls are recovering, but Ellen died yesterday.... (full context)

...them. The officer was a Yankee gentleman, and he brought a surgeon who tended to Carreen, Suellen, and Ellen. The soldiers camped around the house, tore up the yard, and stole... (full context)

...while they were there, talking only to the nice surgeon. The surgeon said Suellen and Carreen would recover but Ellen wouldn’t. Then, the Yankees all left. Gerald says he’s glad Scarlett’s... (full context)

...if it’s doctor’s orders to keep fresh air out of the sick room. Suellen and Carreen, thin and white, toss restlessly in a large bed. There is a narrow bed in... (full context)

...asks Mammy about Ellen. Tears fall from Mammy’s eyes as she starts to sponge down Carreen and Suellen. Mammy says it was those “low-down po’-w’ite” Slatterys.” Emmie Slattery came down with... (full context)

...a widow with a child. No one can take her burdens: Gerald is old, and Carreen, Suellen, and Melanie are weak. She looks out the window at the desolate land. She... (full context)

...With Ellen dead and the enslaved persons gone, Scarlett insists that everyone work. Suellen and Carreen argue that they can’t do manual labor because it’s against how they were raised, and... (full context)

...her for being willing to kill the Yankee too. Underneath Melanie’s gentleness, Scarlett sees courage. Carreen, Suellen, and Wade call out, scared. Melanie sticks her head in their room and tells... (full context)

...they are so slow that she has them do other tasks. Next, she has Suellen, Carreen, and Melanie pick. Melanie faints and Suellen refuses, saying Ellen would never make her pick... (full context)

...They joke about the war and are festive. Suellen is happy to see Frank—her beau—again. Carreen talks with one of the soldiers who knew Brent Tarleton. Melanie, usually shy around men,... (full context)

While Scarlett has this conversation, Suellen, Melanie, and Carreen cry over the lost Cause. Scarlett is relieved the Cause was lost. Now she doesn’t... (full context)

...want to see the Tarletons. But Suellen insists, so one day, Scarlett, Melanie, Suellen, and Carreen go to the ruins of the Tarleton house. Beatrice Tarleton sits on the fence staring... (full context)

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

...they must raise their boys to be like the men they lost. Thinking of Brent, Carreen says the men can’t be replaced. (full context)

...and Melanie can tell he’s of a lower class. When he recovers, he wakes to Carreen praying beside him. Careen sits with him throughout his recovery, praying constantly. This annoys Scarlett,... (full context)

...Scarlett if she approves of him marrying Suellen. Surprised, Scarlett says she thought he liked Carreen. Will sighs; Scarlett doesn’t know what’s been happening here. Carreen is joining a convent; she... (full context)

...luck and her “gumption.” Scarlett lifts her chin proudly. Ashley steps to the front with Carreen’s bible. Scarlett thinks he is better than any priest would be as he proceeds with... (full context)

After Suellen and Will marry and Carreen goes to the convent, Ashley, Melanie, and Beau move to Atlanta, bringing Dilcey with them.... (full context)