Gone with the Wind

Main Ideas

• Love and hate interacting against the backdrop of the Civil War and Reconstruction in America
• Survival and adaptation to changing life conditions after the South's defeat
• The strength and perseverance of a woman in a male-dominated society
• The conflict between the old Southern aristocracy and the new post-war world
• Identity and illusion in relationships between people and social classes
• The challenges of romantic and family relationships built on false perceptions and ideals
• The theme of home and its loss as a foundation for the main characters' personal development
• The transformation of the main character from a spoiled girl to a strong, independent woman