Scarlett O'Hara and Her Journey to Motherhood

Scarlett O'Hara, the iconic heroine of Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind, had a complex relationship with motherhood. Despite her physical capabilities, Scarlett did not want to bear children, especially not as a means to make her first two husbands content. Her desires and motivations are well-documented in both the book and the movie adaptations.

Scarlett's Pregnancies

It is well-known that Scarlett was capable of bearing children. According to Gone With the Wind, she had three living children and one miscarriage:

Wade Hampton Charles Hamilton Ella Lorena Bonnie Blue (the one by Rhett Butler)

In the movie adaptation of Gone With the Wind, we see that Scarlett had only Bonnie Blue by Rhett Butler, but this is often seen as a simplification in the broader narrative context.

Scarlett's Desire for Personal Fulfillment

Scarlett's reluctance to have children was rooted in her personal desires and the constraints of the era. She did not enjoy sexual relations with her first two husbands, both of whom were straight. Her dissatisfaction extended beyond her physical aversion to having sex with them.

In the book, Scarlett is depicted as threatening to get an abortion, asserting that she did not want Rhett to make her pregnant while he was engaging in casual sexual encounters at the local brothel. This incident further emphasizes her lack of interest in procreation through Rhett.

Scarlett's Motivations

Scarlett's main motivation for bearing children was not personal fulfillment but rather a strategic decision. She wanted to avoid the responsibilities and personal constraints that motherhood imposed, such as how it kept her away from Ashley Wilkes and ruined her body.

When Scarlett finally left Ashley for Rhett, she was determined to maintain her attractiveness and independence. She believed that keeping herself trim and maintaining her figure would provide her with the best chances of winning Rhett back.

Conclusion

Scarlett's journey towards motherhood is a reflection of her complex character and the societal expectations of women in the early 20th century. Her decisions and actions highlight a stark contrast between her personal desires and the realities of her life.

Understanding Scarlett's motivations for having children provides a deeper insight into her character in Gone With the Wind, and helps us appreciate the challenges and complexities of the characters in this classic tale.