Gone With the Wind: Chapter 8

Chapter 8 Summary: Scarlett arrives in Atlanta and is met by "Uncle" Peter.  We learn that Peter takes care of Aunt Pittypat and Melanie as if they were children and runs their household as firmly as Mammy runs Tara.  Scarlett is swept up into the social world of nursing the sick and volunteering for the war effort despite her lack of interest in anything connected with the war.  Little Wade has no end of attention with his Aunt Melanie and Great-Aunt Pittypat around and we learn a little about the home Charles grew up in and the fortune he's left behind.  Scarlett is very careful not to commit to moving to Atlanta permanently, but she has no problem extending her visit indefinitely.

KatieBug's Response:  A really nice bit of history about the city of Atlanta, I feel, and we learn that the city is only a little bit older than Scarlett.  Though her father tells her they are the same age because the official name, Atlanta, wasn't settled until the year she was born.  I had no idea it started as a train station and was as new as it was.  I think it's ironic that Scarlett is dragged into volunteering with two different hospital committees because she can't think of a good enough excuse to get out of doing it altogether.  We get a first-hand perspective on life in Atlanta during the war, turning out soldiers and goods as quickly as possible.  Whirlwind romances and weekly entertainment while the rest of the state is quiet.

SammiDrake's Response: