Gone with the Wind is a novel by American author Margaret Mitchell, first published in 1936. The story is set in Clayton County, Georgia, and Atlanta during the American Civil War and Reconstruction Era. The novel begins with Scarlett O’Hara’s 18th birthday on the eve of the American Civil War and ends with her marriage to Rhett Butler in 1872.
The book was a massive commercial success after its publication during the Great Depression. It became an immediate bestseller and has been adapted for stage and screen numerous times since its publication; currently, more than 25 million copies are in print. More than 28 million copies have sold since then.
The novel’s treatment of slavery and white characters’ relationship with blacks is controversial, especially considering that it was written by a white woman from Atlanta, Georgia. In particular, Gone with the Wind has been criticized over its portrayal of African Americans, who are depicted as ignorant, superstitious, lazy and simple-minded rather than complex individuals with hopes and dreams like other human beings.
The novel details the experiences of Scarlett O’Hara, the spoiled daughter of a well-to-do plantation owner who falls in love with Rhett Butler, a Charleston blockade runner, despite the wealth and status he cannot offer. After marrying Ashley Wilkes and giving birth to his daughter, Scarlett leaves him when she realizes that she does not love him and prefers Rhett’s dangerous charm. The novel is famous for its Southern setting, its treatment of characters and historical accuracy; it depicts slavery in positive terms. It has become a classic literary icon.
“Gone with the Wind” was a major commercial success when it was published in 1936; it sold out its first printing within days of publication and went on to sell over 30 million copies worldwide before its copyright expired in 1979.
