Gone with the Wind

Gone with the Wind

by

Margaret Mitchell

Mrs. Elsing isAtlanta’s secondprominent lady and the wife of Hugh Elsing. Like Mrs. Merriwether, Mrs. Elsing disapproves of Scarlett’s association with the “traitor” Rhett Butler. After the war, Mr. and Mrs. Elsing turn their house into a boarding house where the Meades and the Whitings pay to stay when their houses burn down. After Scarlett marries Rhett, Mrs. Elsing refuses to call on them even though Rhett saved Hugh’s life during the Klu Klux Klan escapade that took Frank Kennedy’s life. This causes Mrs. Elsing to fall out with Melanie Wilkes, whom she’d known since Melanie was a little girl. Much later, Rhett charms Mrs. Elsing into liking him.
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Mrs. Elsing— Character Timeline in Gone with the Wind

The timeline below shows where the character Mrs. Elsing— appears in Gone with the Wind. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 8
Looking Forward vs. Looking Back Theme Icon
Women and Power Theme Icon
...people. Peter points out the different factories and war offices as he drives. Mrs. Merriwether, Mrs. Elsing , and Mrs. Whiting—the infamous “pillars of Atlanta” who’d heard Scarlett was coming—wave to her... (full context)
Chapter 9
Practicality, Tenacity, and Selfishness Theme Icon
...Scarlett had no one. Scarlett stays in bed all day. After dinner, Mrs. Merriwether and Mrs. Elsing stop in. The women share that the McLure girls have left for Virginia to bring... (full context)
Chapter 12
The Civil War and Reconstruction Theme Icon
At Mrs. Elsing ’s musical for convalescents, Rhett ruins his reputation for good. Melanie and Scarlett sing a... (full context)
Chapter 21
The Civil War and Reconstruction Theme Icon
Women and Power Theme Icon
...to bring Mrs. Merriweather, but she’s busy at the hospital. Scarlett sends Prissy to get Mrs. Elsing , and to do so quickly. (full context)
The Civil War and Reconstruction Theme Icon
Practicality, Tenacity, and Selfishness Theme Icon
...time. Swearing to whip Prissy one day, Scarlett goes down to meet her. Prissy says Mrs. Elsing is at the hospital. Scarlett says she’ll give Prissy a note to bring to Dr.... (full context)
The Civil War and Reconstruction Theme Icon
Practicality, Tenacity, and Selfishness Theme Icon
...coming!” Then she sees women and children rushing down the street carrying crates of food. Mrs. Elsing drives by, her carriage piled high with food. Scarlett hasn’t seen so much food in... (full context)
Chapter 36
Classism and Racism  Theme Icon
Practicality, Tenacity, and Selfishness Theme Icon
...her, she’d been sweet and feminine. Now she talks and makes decisions like a man. Mrs. Elsing and Mrs. Merriwether are commanding women, but they at least pretend to submit to men’s... (full context)
Chapter 49
Practicality, Tenacity, and Selfishness Theme Icon
Women and Power Theme Icon
At a Ladies’ Sewing Circle meeting at Melanie’s, Mrs. Elsing waits until Melanie has gone into the kitchen before she says she won’t visit Scarlett... (full context)
Women and Power Theme Icon
Mrs. Elsing jumps up, saying Melanie is ill-bred. Melanie says Mrs. Elsing is just bitter because Hugh... (full context)
Chapter 52
Classism and Racism  Theme Icon
When Mrs. Elsing questions why Rhett donates, he says he was moved by memories of his army days.... (full context)
Chapter 53
Looking Forward vs. Looking Back Theme Icon
Women and Power Theme Icon
...of an old friend. Suddenly, Ashley wrenches away because he sees that India, Archie, and Mrs. Elsing are standing in the doorway. (full context)
Chapter 55
Looking Forward vs. Looking Back Theme Icon
Women and Power Theme Icon
...control her anger. She says that everyone is jealous because Scarlett is smart and successful. Mrs. Elsing hates Scarlett because she is more popular than Fanny. Archie is a bad man and... (full context)
Chapter 60
Looking Forward vs. Looking Back Theme Icon
Practicality, Tenacity, and Selfishness Theme Icon
Women and Power Theme Icon
...hardships she’s experienced. She wants to talk with her old friends, like Mrs. Merriwether and Mrs. Elsing , about hard times and tragedy. She understands now why ex-Confederates like to meet: they’re... (full context)