Gone WIth the Wind: Chapter 21

Summary:
Melanie's baby is due and Scarlett is desperate to find medical assistance.  Scarlett sends Prissy to find anyone that will help but ,ost of the neighbors have evacuated and Mrs. Meade has gone to aid her wounded son.  When Prissy refuses to go to the depot to find Dr. Meade, because people are dying down there, Scarlett seizes the opportunity to escape the house for a short period of time.

She finds Dr. Meade in the midst of wounded and dying soldiers, unaware that his own son has been wounded and is most likely dying.  Scarlett begs the doctor to come back with her, he tells her that he can't possibly leave all of these desperate men and she's better off finding a woman to help with the birth.  Scarlett is concerned but is confident that Prissy will live up to her word and be able to take charge of the birth in his absence.

Upon her arrival home, Scarlett informs Prissy of the Doctor's reluctance to leave his patients.  Prissy becomes agitated and confesses that she's never been present at a birth.  Scarlett feels completely alone and helpless, yet shoulders the burden and goes upstairs to tell Melanie that they must struggle through without medical assistance.

Katiebug's Response:
This is the first true test of Scarlett's character and survival instincts.  Up to this point, she's had people make decisions for her or protect her from the harsh realities of life.  But now she is truly alone and, not one, but two lives are counting on her.  Her promises to Ashley, Aunt Pitty-Pat, and Melanie herself must be honored despite Scarlett's gut feeling.

We're also seeing how strong Scarlett really is.  Melanie would have crumpled under the pressure of this situation, though out of the goodness of her heart she would have tried, and Aunt Pitty-Pat would have been of no use at all.  But Scarlett sees the reality of the situation and knows the only way past the problem is to go through it.