Gone with the Wind

Gone with the Wind

by

Margaret Mitchell

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Gone with the Wind: Chapter 18 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
The fighting is so close that people in Atlanta can hear gunshots. People try to ignore it and pretended not to be afraid. They relieve their anxiety by criticizing General Johnston. When the Home Guard is dispatched to join the battle, Scarlett and Melanie leave the hospital to watch them depart. Old Grandpa Merriwether and Uncle Henry Hamilton are with the Home Guard. The rest of the group are young boys, such as Phil Meade, who left school to join the army. Most of the men are unarmed.
Now that Atlanta can hear gunshots, everyone gets afraid. The Home Guard finally leave Atlanta, which is a sign that the Confederates are desperate. Along with them go the people previously deemed too young or old to fight. What Mrs. Meade has been fearing ever since her first son went off to fight—that Phil will go too—is now coming to pass.
Themes
The Civil War and Reconstruction Theme Icon
As they pass, Scarlett recognizes Mose, Ashley’s old bodyguard. She fights through the crowd asks what he’s doing there. Mose explains that he’s going to the war with John Wilkes. Scarlett is shocked. John Wilkes is nearly 70. Then she sees John on Mrs. Tarleton’s mare, Nellie. Scarlett clasps his hand, telling him not to go. John says that Gerald almost came with him today, but his horse was refusing to jump fences as if conspiring with Ellen to keep Gerald home. John sent India and Honey to Macon and left Gerald to oversee Twelve Oaks. He kisses Scarlett and departs, saying wistfully that he would have liked to see his grandchild. As she returns to the hospital, Scarlett realizes he just hinted at his death, like Ashley had. She prays the war will not take John too.
It shocks Scarlett to see John Wilkes join the war because he lives so close by to Tara and is a part of her world. He is riding Mrs. Tarleton’s mare, another reminder of Scarlett’s old neighbors, and he mentions that Gerald almost came with him. These details make Scarlett afraid; the war is finally touching her personal existence and the things closest to her. John hints at his own death with the same ominous wistfulness that Ashley did. Saying he wishes he could see his grandchild also suggests he’s living in the past, and will never get to experience the future (symbolized by a new life and future generations).
Themes
The Civil War and Reconstruction Theme Icon
Looking Forward vs. Looking Back Theme Icon
The Confederates hold the Yankees at Kennesaw Mountain, making people in Atlanta hopeful. Refugees and wounded soldiers crowd the city, and young ladies from nearby towns come to flirt with them. The busyness of the war times often makes Scarlett forget she has a son at all. There are endless parties and weddings. Everyone celebrates while Johnston holds the Yankees 22 miles away—though soon after, an attack by General Sherman makes the Confederates retreat to Atlanta. A General Hood is appointed to take Sherman’s place, but the soldiers are still loyal to Johnston. Soon after, the Yankees capture the railroad that connects Atlanta, Virginia, and Charleston.
Even though the war is a mere 22 miles away, Atlanta parties as though nothing is happening. This shows the persistence of the Southern lifestyle. Although luxuries are running out and danger looms, no one is willing to accept it or change their way of living. The Yankees capturing the first section of railroad is a bad sign, for the railroad is one of the South’s major advantages in the war.
Themes
The Civil War and Reconstruction Theme Icon
Looking Forward vs. Looking Back Theme Icon
General Hood assaults the Yankees at Peachtree Creek. Atlanta listens to the cannons. By late afternoon, Confederate soldiers stumble into town, wounded and exhausted. Miss Pitty, Scarlett, and Melanie tend tirelessly to the wounded in their house. Little Wade hangs frightened in the background as wagons bring wounded and dying men into town. Melanie, Scarlett, and Pittypat pour water into their dry mouths. They question the soldiers about who won, but they all say it is too soon to tell. By the end of the day, Scarlett is filthy, and the whole thing seems like a nightmare. Scarlett’s former beaus are completely transfigured or dead. As the night wears on, the women learn that the soldiers retreated. The Yankees are coming.
When the wounded soldiers pour in, Scarlett feels like it’s a nightmare. In comparison, she had also described her wedding and Ashley’s wedding as seeming like nightmares too. Those two events had been moments right before Scarlett’s life changed, and she had to accept that things weren’t going to work out the way she wanted them to. This suggests that Scarlett is finally realizing how much the war is going to change her—and life as she knows it.
Themes
The Civil War and Reconstruction Theme Icon
Practicality, Tenacity, and Selfishness Theme Icon
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The defeated army pours into Atlanta. Grandpa Merriwether and Uncle Henry return to Atlanta with the Home Guard, but Scarlett sees no sign of John Wilkes. The soldiers are cheerful, as they believe that Old that Old Joe will never let the Yankees take Atlanta. General Hood holds back the circling Yankees, but they keep coming back for more. Sherman takes control of the railroad between Tennessee and Atlanta, and the Confederates fight to hold the railroad to Jonesboro. Scarlett realizes with terror that Tara—which seemed like a safe haven compared to Atlanta—is only 5 miles from Jonesboro.
As the war has been getting closer to Atlanta, Scarlett has continued to think Tara is untouchable. However, the Yankees are now attempting to capture the railroad that connects Atlanta and Tara. All of a sudden, Scarlett is very afraid of the affect the war will have on the things that are important to her. Tara, the one thing that Gerald warned her would always be there for her, is possibly in danger.
Themes
The Civil War and Reconstruction Theme Icon
The ladies in Atlanta sit on the roofs watching the nearby fighting, but when bullets start to fall in the streets, they hide in their basements. Many of them consider leaving Atlanta. Miss Pitty wants to go to Macon to stay with Old Mrs. Burr, but Scarlett refuses; Mrs. Burr is too uptight. Melanie refuses to go anywhere without Scarlett. Scarlett can’t believe how much Melanie loves her, seeing as Scarlett hates Melanie so much. She thinks Melanie is stupid not to pick up on Scarlett and Ashley’s secret. But Scarlett doesn’t want to break her promise to Ashley, so she says Melanie can come with her to Tara. However, Dr. Meade insists that Melanie must stay in Atlanta due to her pregnancy. He insists she’s too small to have children. So Miss Pitty leaves for Macon while Scarlett, Melanie, Wade, and Prissy stay in Atlanta.
Because Scarlett has promised Ashley that she would take care of Melanie, her whole life is now centered around Melanie and Melanie’s pregnancy. Outwardly, Scarlett appears to be acting selflessly towards Melanie. In actuality, she is being kind to Melanie only because she loves Melanie’s husband. However, Melanie’s role in Scarlett’s life forces Scarlett to think of others besides herself, suggesting this may still be an opportunity for Scarlett to grow.
Themes
Practicality, Tenacity, and Selfishness Theme Icon
Women and Power Theme Icon