Historical Lens In 'Gone With The Wind'

Land, the vast expanse of rocks and dirt that humans have fought and killed over since the first man claimed a cave of his own. Throughout the ages land has held the keys to the survival of the human race within its soil, water, and other essential elements. During the romantic era the American Dream was to own land. This is proved by looking through the historical lens in Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell in which the Civil War has destroyed the southern way of life, forcing the characters of the novel to go through extreme measures to ensure their family's land. The novel focuses on the main protagonist Scarlett O’Hara the daughter of a rich plantation owner, she is known for her beauty and charm, but when the Civil War begins her upper class life of barbecues and dances is suddenly gone with the wind, and she is forced to survive and thrive through the difficult times.
Using the historical lens to analyze and comprehend the hidden meanings within Gone With The Wind, one can gain a greater meaning to the importance of land. First of all, the author of the novel, Margaret Mitchell and Scarlett O’Hara have many similarities within their lives that help contribute to the novel's plot, such as their Irish-Catholic heritage. Both of them are deeply affected by their ancestors in a way that …show more content…
This is proved by looking through the historical lens in the novel Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell. With in the novel one gets a glimpse at how the the time period shaped the American Dream of the era. One can recognise the dream of land by looking at the author’s ancestry, the detailed history of the Civil War, and the reconstruction era. This proves that land is the American Dream for all people not just the characters in the novel, but for immigrants, farmers, and african americans. The American Dream is land and it is the symbol of power, wealth, and freedom in the eyes of American