Gone with the Wind

Margaret Munnerlyn MitchellShantou University Press · ChinaAug 2019

4.6

Word count: 129K words
Chapters: 63

Summary

While depicting the characters' lives and loves, the novel also delineates the similarities and differences between North and South at the political, economic, and cultural levels, bearing a strong epic quality. It may well be called a true portrayal of a turning point in American history, and has also become an enduring classic of love.

Editor's review

As an immortal classic in the history of world literature, Gone with the Wind continues to captivate readers worldwide with its sweeping narrative, complex characters, and profound imprint of its era. In the editor's view, the value of Margaret Mitchell's only lifetime work goes far beyond a love story. It is a panoramic epic depiction of Southern society before and after the American Civil War, and its core appeal lies in the astonishing vitality and complexity of the heroine, Scarlett O'Hara. Selfish, vain, resilient, and pragmatic, she rebuilds her life on the ruins of a collapsed old order through raw survival instinct. This unadorned portrayal of human complexity makes the character transcend the limits of her time and still resonate powerfully today.

The reading value of this book lies in multiple dimensions: first, it is a vivid window into a turning point in American history and culture; second, Mitchell observes human psychology, especially women's psychological transformation under extreme circumstances, with a microscopist's precision; third, the novel's themes of survival, love, home, and personal growth are of enduring significance for discussion. This edition from Shantou University Press offers a relatively complete and fluent translation, making it easy for Chinese readers to immerse themselves in the plot. When reading, readers are advised not only to follow the tense and poignant emotional entanglement between Scarlett and Rhett Butler, but also to observe how each individual struggles and chooses in the face of dramatic social change in that particular era. This work requires some patience, but its rich core will surely bring immersed readers lasting spiritual impact and reflection.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Literature lovers interested in American history and social change
Readers who appreciate complex, three-dimensional, unconventional protagonists
Readers who wish to read a classic epic-length novel
Readers with a deep interest in exploring enduring themes such as love, survival, and growth

Not a good fit for

Readers who prefer light, fast-paced, plot-driven entertainment
Readers lacking patience for long narratives and extensive historical and social background

Reading tips

Supplement the reading with historical background materials on the American Civil War to better understand the novel's social panorama.
Pay attention to Scarlett's psychological activity and decision-making logic each time she faces a crisis; this is key to understanding her character arc.
After finishing the ending, pause and reflect: how do you interpret Scarlett's final line, 'Tomorrow is another day'?

About the publisher

Shantou University Press China · Founded in 1993

Shantou University Press builds its publishing program on university textbooks, teaching reference books, and academic monographs, while also accumulating a body of literary and cultural titles. Its catalog shows a concentration on foreign and classical literary classics, including Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace, Wu Cheng'en's Journey to the West, Victor Hugo's Les Misérables, and Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind, covering categories such as world classics and canonical works. Its author resources include major Chinese and foreign writers such as Tolstoy, Hugo, Dickens, Cervantes, Fabre, and Li Yu. Books on parenting and social sciences also appear in its list. Drawing on the regional culture of Chaoshan, the press balances teaching and research with cultural popularization, and Chaoshan culture titles are one of its emphases. Given limited public information, other details are not addressed here.

版权信息
第一章
第二章
第三章
第四章
第五章
第六章
第七章
第八章
第九章
第十章
第十一章
第十二章
第十三章
第十四章
第十五章
第十六章
第十七章
第十八章
第十九章
第二十章
第二十一章
第二十二章
第二十三章
第二十四章
第二十五章
第二十六章
第二十七章
第二十八章
第二十九章
第三十章
第三十一章
第三十二章
第三十三章
第三十四章
第三十五章
第三十六章
第三十七章
第三十八章
第三十九章
第四十章
第四十一章
第四十二章
第四十三章
第四十四章
第四十五章
第四十六章
第四十七章
第四十八章
第四十九章
第五十章
第五十一章
第五十二章
第五十三章
第五十四章
第五十五章
第五十六章
第五十七章
第五十八章
第五十九章
第六十章
第六十一章
第六十二章

FAQ

What is the main storyline of Gone with the Wind?

Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War and the Reconstruction era, the novel mainly tells the story of Scarlett O'Hara, daughter of a Southern plantation owner, who after losing everything in the war struggles to survive and rebuild her family's fortunes, and whose life and loves intertwine with men such as Ashley and Rhett Butler.

What other works did Margaret Mitchell write?

Gone with the Wind is the only novel Margaret Mitchell published in her lifetime, and she devoted most of her life's energy to it. The work won the Pulitzer Prize in 1937 and established her place in literary history.

This book is very long. Is it worth the time to read?

Absolutely. Despite its grand scale, its rich historical detail, vivid ensemble of characters, and dramatic plot form a complete and captivating world. It is not merely a story but a microcosm of an era and a profound portrayal of human nature, and its literary and intellectual value has stood the test of time.

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About the author

Margaret Munnerlyn Mitchell Author · American · 1900–1949

Margaret Mitchell (1900–1949) was an American woman writer and journalist, born in Atlanta, Georgia. In her lifetime she published only one novel, Gone with the Wind (1936), set against the backdrop of the American Civil War and Reconstruction and depicting the changes in Southern society amid war and the fates of its characters. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 1937 and was adapted into the film Gone with the Wind in 1939. Besides Gone with the Wind, the library holds various editions, including a six-volume set, a two-volume set, a fortieth-anniversary collector's edition, and a complete translation collector's edition, all classified under foreign literature and world classics. Public information about her life and writing career is limited, and her literary influence rests mainly on this work. She died in a car accident in 1949.