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Uncle Peter—
Dr. Meade is the most prominent doctor in Atlanta.He runs one of the war hospitals, and he tends tirelessly to the countless wounded soldiers that stream into Atlanta. During the war, he often goes on and on about “the glorious Cause” and the invincibility of the South, causing Rhett Butler to say he looks like a “pompous goat.” Even after the Confederates lose, Dr. Meade carries on about the Cause, unable to look ahead to the future. Throughout the novel, Dr. Meade assesses Melanie’s health, giving the orders that Scarlett stay in Atlanta when Melanie gives birth, and that Melanie not risk having another baby.
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Dr. Meade Character Timeline in Gone with the Wind
The timeline below shows where the character Dr. Meade appears in Gone with the Wind. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 8
Everyone seems to know Scarlett was coming. Dr. Meade appears from a house with his wife and son Phil to greet her. Dr. Meade...
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Chapter 9
Dr. Meade approaches Scarlett and Melanie and thanks them for coming. Then, he says he has a...
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Dr. Meade mounts the platform and calls for quiet. He thanks the ladies who patriotically organized the...
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...to strangers—Mrs. Merriwether was staring. Scarlett brushes her off, saying Rhett is an “ill-bred boor.” Dr. Meade reveals his scheme for raising more money. The dancing will begin, and the gentlemen must...
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Chapter 12
...because he’s one of the Home Guard under question for not being at the front. Dr. Meade jumps in to defend the sacredness of the South and States’ Rights. Every Cause is...
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Chapter 13
Dr. Meade puts a letter in the paper that calls out Rhett Butler and those who profit...
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Chapter 14
...that women hate war, but men love it. He smiles mockingly and goes to tell Dr. Meade his son is dead.
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...out tomorrow because she doesn’t want to let on how anxious she is about Ashley. Dr. Meade comes home, hanging his head, and goes upstairs. Shortly after, Phil comes down and sits...
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Chapter 17
On Miss Pittypat’s veranda, Dr. Meade explains that General Johnston is standing guard like an “iron rampart.” Mrs. Meade hopes her...
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...he’d been granted transfer from Atlanta to Dalton. All the women look at him appreciatively. Dr. Meade says Sherman will never get past “Old Joe.” Everyone nods, comforted. But then Rhett asks...
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Dr. Meade says the numbers don’t matter; one Confederate is worth a dozen Yankees. Rhett asks if...
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...the foul smells, the flies, and the soldiers’ constant questions about Old Joe. She follows Dr. Meade around with a basin while he amputates diseased flesh. All the chloroform and iodine has...
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Chapter 18
...her promise to Ashley, so she says Melanie can come with her to Tara. However, Dr. Meade insists that Melanie must stay in Atlanta due to her pregnancy. He insists she’s too...
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Chapter 20
...been having pains; she’ll give birth today. She asks Scarlett to fetch Mrs. Meade, not Dr. Meade .
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Chapter 21
...Elsing is at the hospital. Scarlett says she’ll give Prissy a note to bring to Dr. Meade at the hospital and tells her to get news of the fighting in Jonesboro. Thinking...
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...Confederates are losing in Jonesboro, and she’s scared for Dilcey and Pork. Scarlett asks where Dr. Meade is. Prissy says he’s at the train depot tending the wounded soldiers coming in. The...
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...was nothing compared to this. She braces herself and steps around the bodies, looking for Dr. Meade . Finally, Scarlett finds him. He’s happy to see her since they need help. But...
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Chapter 30
...Melanie has been happier since she heard from Ashley, but she’s still weak and sickly. Dr. Meade has said that another baby would kill her. Will pulls shows them a Confederate bill...
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Chapter 33
...They come to the place Scarlett had sat to catch her breath after looking for Dr. Meade while Melanie was having her baby. She’d thought she’d hit rock bottom that day. Now,...
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Chapter 37
...in the old houses, Southerners starve. The conquerors are arrogant and the conquered are bitter. Dr. Meade thinks no one should have babies in these awful times.
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Chapter 41
...wine to offer again, but everyone rallies around Melanie like they did around the Cause. Dr. Meade speaks one night of “building back” the South as if the Glorious Cause still stands.
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Chapter 45
...Melanie cries that she has the right to know. Rhett says Ashley, Hugh, Frank and Dr. Meade were at Belle Watling’s place. Melanie pretends to faint. Rhett says the Yankees can ask...
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Chapter 46
Dr. Meade is so ashamed about how he’d been saved that he says to Mrs. Meade that...
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Chapter 56
When Dr. Meade tells Scarlett she’s pregnant, she can’t believe it. Then she thinks of that night with...
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...is pregnant and the Yankees are coming, and she believes Melanie is the one screaming. Dr. Meade says Scarlett is delirious. Scarlett starts to whisper Rhett’s name but stops, remembering that he...
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Chapter 58
...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.
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Chapter 59
...her and maybe she can help him. Mammy thinks Rhett has lost his mind; When Dr. Meade said Bonnie’s neck broke, Rhett shot Bonnie’s pony and then held Bonnie’s body and didn’t...
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Chapter 60
...her, but Rhett says no one wants to live in their house. When Scarlett asks Dr. Meade if Rhett has lost his mind, Dr. Meade recommends she and Rhett have another baby....
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Chapter 61
...told no one she was pregnant because she’d been so afraid something would go wrong. Dr. Meade comes out of Melanie’s room and looks at Scarlett with grief and contempt. Pitty and...
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Dr. Meade ushers Scarlett in and shuts the door behind her. The room is neat and spare,...
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The door opens and Dr. Meade calls Scarlett out. She holds Melanie’s hand to her cheek and says goodnight. Melanie asks...
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...live without Melanie, but she squares her shoulders and soothes him. The door opens and Dr. Meade calls Ashley urgently. Scarlett pushes Ashley towards the door, telling him to be brave.
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