I have always loved Scarlett O’Hara. FIrst in the book and then in the movie, I think that Scarlett and Rhett Butler were the finest love story ever put on page or film. But Scarlett thrilled me to the bone when I was 14. She was not a good girl and she didn’t behave. She was bold, ruthless, cunning, and absolutely fearless. She didn’t wait around to be rescued from anything; she did what she had to do. And Rhett was her match in every way. (As a side note, no, I wasn’t named after Rhett Butler. I was named after my father, Rhett, who had the name before the book was even written.) Here are ten great movie quotes from “Gone With the Wind,” in no particular order, and why I love them.
1. Gerald O’Hara (Scarlett’s father:)Do you mean to tell me, Katie Scarlett O’Hara, that Tara, that land doesn’t mean anything to you? Why, land is the only thing in the world worth workin’ for, worth fightin’ for, worth dyin’ for, because it’s the only thing that lasts.
2. (Gerald, again) It will come to you, this love of the land. There’s no gettin’ away from it if you’re Irish.
At the time that I first saw “Gone With the Wind,” my family had been living on the same land in South Carolina for well over 250 years. The first Martin on the land arrived there from Ireland around 1690.
I loved the 20 acres or so of woods and meadows we lived on. Unfortunately, I later had to sell it to a cousin and I’ve missed it every day of my life since. I believe it’s true. The Irish crave land. I know I do.
3. Scarlett, early in the first chapter, before a barbeque: Why does a girl have to be so silly to catch a husband?
I thought it was a good question, and it sets Scarlett apart from the simpering belles around her right away. She had enough sense to ask the question, and that means a lot.
4. Scarlett: As God is my witness, as God is my witness they’re not going to lick me. I’m going to live through this and when it’s all over, I’ll never be hungry again. No, nor any of my folk. If I have to lie, steal, cheat or kill. As God is my witness, I’ll never be hungry again.
This is the quote that probably affected me more than any other. Scarlett and her family are starving, she’s scrabbling for turnips in the garden, she’s as near defeat as anyone can be, and then..she raies her fist into the air, she raises herself from the dirt, and she says..”As God is my witness..I’ll never be hungry again..” and it’s the triumph of the human spirit in one moment of brilliant cinematography and inspired speech.
5.Rhett Butler, speaking of Scarlett: What a woman!
Amen!
6. Rhett Butler: With enough courage, you can do without a reputation.
Now, that was a revolutionary statement if ever I heard one. There’s something more important than what people think? If you’re brave enough, what people think doesn’t matter? It was an amazing revelation to 14-year-old me.
7. Rhett Butler: No, I don’t think I will kiss you, although you need kissing, badly. That’s what’s wrong with you. You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how.
Just the most swooningly romantic line I had ever heard or read at the time. And possibly the most romantic line I’ve ever heard or read since then, either.
8. Rhett Butler: …I love you. Because we’re alike. Bad lots, both of us. Selfish and shrewd. But able to look things in the eyes as we call them by their right names.
He summed it up nicely. Scarlett and Rhett stared life down unflinchingly and did not hide in pretence or fantasy (aside from her absurd crush on Ashley,her only atypical flaw,) and I admired that immensely. They looked at the facts, and then they dealt with them, no matter what it took.
And, of course,
9. Scarlett: I can’t think about that right now. If I do, I’ll go crazy. I’ll think about that tomorrow.
and
10. Tara! Home. I’ll go home. And I’ll think of some way to get him back. After all… tomorrow is another day.
I’ll think about that tomorrow,” and “…tomorrow is another day,” have got me through some hard times. They mean that, no matter how bad and hopeless things look today, there’s another day coming, and that brings hope that everything can be changed, everything can be managed, any difficulty can be overcome, as long as we just believe that we can think about it tomorrow, tomorrow is another day.
Notice that I am not including Rhett’s great lie in my favorite quotes. Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.” It set the book apart, because it means we don’t get the fairy tale ending. It has great dramatic impact, but to me, it’s just Rhett’s temporary retreat, and after all, when tomorrow came around, or a number of tomorrows later, I’m sure he and Scarlett found a way, some way, to be together.
