Gone With The Wind: Chapter 9

Chapter 9 Summary:  Scarlett watches the young belles of Atlanta, unhappily from her window, as they go off to prepare for the evening's dance to benefit the hospital.  She laments the fact that she is only 17 and can't participate in this bit of fun with the other girls her age because she is a widow and must adhere to the strict rules of society.  Mrs. merriwether and Mrs. Elsing arrive as her saviors when they insist that Melanie and Scarlett take over a booth at the bazaar, due to the McLure girls being called away for a family emergency.  While everyone at the dance is swept up in patriotic pride, Scarlett realizes that she is not wholeheartedly behind the Cause.  She bears this new information well until Rhett Butler arrives and starts to flirt with her.  He tells her the truth behind his blockade running and Scarlett feels as if a veil has been lifted on the subject.  During the fund raising efforts, both Scarlett and Melanie offer up their wedding rings and Rhett Butler buys a dance with the not so grieving Mrs. Hamilton.  Much to her scandle, Scarlett throws off propriety, accepts Rhett's temptation and proceeds to dance the night away for "the Cause."

KatieBug's Response:  I find the banter between Scarlett and Rhett incredibly interesting.  We see here, that not only can Rhett read her like a book but that she can see through his act equally as well.  They both dislike the war effort and the constricting nature of the Southern Aristocracy, but Scarlett still tries to play by the rules unlike Rhett.  ***DIFFERENT FROM THE MOVIE*** Scarlett offers up her wedding ring first, when the wounded are collecting jewelry from the ladies  She can't stand the sight of the ring as it symbolizes all the reasons she can no longer have fun and rips it off her finger for the collection.  It is Melanie that is inspired by Scarlett's actions and gives up her own, precious, wedding band for the Cause.