Suellen O’Hara Character Analysis in Gone with the Wind

Suellen is the second oldest O’Hara sister; like Scarlett, she’s selfish and only interested in money. After the war, Suellen resists Scarlett’s efforts to make her pick cotton in the fields at Tara, insisting such a task is beneath her. In the beginning of the story, her beau is Frank Kennedy; they become engaged during the war. However, Scarlett later marries Frank for his money so she can save Tara, reasoning that Suellen would selfishly keep Frank’s money for herself if she married him. Suellen wants money so she can have pretty clothes and go to parties, and she later tries to convince Gerald to sign an oath of Yankee cooperation so he can get a government grant. This sends Gerald into a reckless rage that leads to his death. Will Benteen eventually marries Suellen so that he can keep living at Tara.

Suellen O’Hara Character Timeline in Gone with the Wind

The timeline below shows where the character Suellen 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... (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 she’s so... (full context)

...Jack, waves 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... (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... (full context)

Looking Forward vs. Looking Back Theme Icon

...her parents, but they’ll eventually see how happy she is and all would be well. Suellen, jealous of Scarlett’s dress, says she doesn’t know why Scarlett is so happy; doesn’t she... (full context)

...India Wilkes are pale and rabbit-like. John helps Scarlett from the carriage while Frank Kennedy, Suellen’s 40-year-old beau, rushes to help Suellen. Stuart and Brent Tarleton rush to greet Scarlett, who... (full context)

...busy running 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... (full context)

The Civil War and Reconstruction Theme Icon

...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)

...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. He... (full context)

...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 everything.... (full context)

...stayed upstairs 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... (full context)

...not caring 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... (full context)

...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 typhoid and... (full context)

...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 could... (full context)

...their weight. 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... (full context)

...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 them... (full context)

...but 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... (full context)

...be in the company of pretty women. 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... (full context)

...Miss Pittypat, but she catches him looking sorry for them about their poverty. Frank loves Suellen, so the sight of Tara in this state is one of the most horrible sights... (full context)

...says they shouldn’t talk about it. Frank says he was planning to ask Gerald for Suellen’s hand, but it seems like Scarlett is the head of the house. He says he... (full context)

Scarlett says Gerald always expected Suellen to marry Frank. Frank says happily that he’ll ask Suellen tonight. Scarlett says she’ll send... (full context)

While Scarlett has this conversation, Suellen, Melanie, and Carreen cry over the lost Cause. Scarlett is relieved the Cause was lost.... (full context)

During this time, Suellen asks to use the horse to visit neighbors, but Scarlett argues that the horse is... (full context)

After these visits, Scarlett doesn’t want to see the Tarletons. But Suellen insists, so one day, Scarlett, Melanie, Suellen, and Carreen go to the ruins of the... (full context)

...She says out loud that Southern girls will all die with no husbands or children. Suellen starts to cry; she hasn’t heard from Frank since Christmas. Scarlett shushes Suellen and Melanie... (full context)

...he looks older than ever. He asks if everyone at Tara is well, thinking of Suellen. (full context)

...but he explains that he lives in Atlanta and has a new store in Marietta; Suellen should’ve shared the news. To Scarlett’s relief, he starts a long story about his success... (full context)

...about money anymore. He implies that he wants to make money so he can marry Suellen soon. Scarlett almost asks him for a loan but decides this would embarrass him. She... (full context)

...calls Scarlett brave and says she’ll always be welcome in his home when he marries Suellen. Scarlett lies that Suellen is marrying Tony Fontaine next week. (full context)

...During these two weeks, she worries over his slowness, afraid a letter will come from Suellen and ruin things. Thankfully, Suellen is a poor correspondent. Scarlett hides her motive well, treating... (full context)

...he realizes that Scarlett deceived him when Tony Fontaine visits Atlanta and isn’t married to Suellen. Frank is too ashamed to write to Suellen and explain things. He pridefully believes Scarlett... (full context)

...starving Confederates. Rhett mocks Scarlett and says she must want his money. He asks what Suellen said when Scarlett married Frank. Scarlett lies that Suellen said nothing. (full context)

...want to talk about it. Alex says if he had a sister who did what Suellen did, he’d whip her. There is something Scarlett doesn’t know, and Alex isn’t telling her.... (full context)

...cotton and honeysuckle. After a bit, Will asks 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... (full context)

Will says that Suellen needs a husband and children like all women do. Scarlett knows there must be another... (full context)

Will asks Scarlett not to yell at Suellen because it won’t bring Gerald back. Scarlett thinks of Gerald’s dead body in the parlor... (full context)

...death: Will was paying the taxes and fixing Tara with the money Scarlett sent. But Suellen wanted clothes and a horse and carriage. She was jealous that Scarlett had a buggy... (full context)

Will stops the wagon so he can finish the story before they get home. Suellen’s idea, he continues, was to take advantage of the Yankee government’s offer to pay for... (full context)

Yesterday, Will continues, Suellen took Gerald to Jonesboro. She had made a deal with Hilton that she’d give him... (full context)

...coffin, followed by a crowd of neighbors. Scarlett notices that Pork’s hair is newly grey. Suellen cries noisily, irritating Scarlett because Suellen caused Gerald’s death. The neighbors all think Suellen has... (full context)

...a few weeks he 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... (full context)

...Grandma Robillard with her breasts half-out. Grandma Fontaine asks if Will is serious about marrying Suellen. Scarlett says he is, and Tara is lucky to have him. Grandma Fontaine says Scarlett... (full context)

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

...conscience. Not only did she kill Frank, but she married him when he really loved Suellen. She had also made him very unhappy. The only thing she gave him was Ella,... (full context)

...would’ve hurt Ellen. She’s stood by while Scarlett took Charles from Honey and Frank from Suellen, and while Scarlett lied to lumber customers and starved convicts—but she won’t stand by while... (full context)

...she goes, her napkin still in her hand. At the Butlers’ house, she bows to Suellen, Will, Scarlett, and Pittypat before going upstairs. She announces herself gently at Rhett’s door, and... (full context)