Then we come to Rhett, the only character
with the ability to conquer Scarlett, who was quite the devil. Just like the
ladies in old Atlanta I found myself at times entranced by his charms, but
often I did not like or trust him. I was often torn about the way he constantly
encouraged Scarlett to fall another wrung on her morality ladder and mocked her
emotions, mocked all of Southern civility. What annoyed me most about him was
that he showed love by coddling his wife and child until they were spoiled,
dependent, but not grateful, and this was his idea of being a good father and
husband. And yet I sympathized with him and was often amused by him. More than anything
I enjoyed his intelligence as a way for Mitchell to introduce the Yankee
viewpoint, using his sarcasm as satire. I loved the whole discussion of his not
being a gentleman and her no lady.
