Melanie Wilkes (Hamilton) Character Analysis in Gone with the Wind

Melanie Hamilton is Ashley Wilkes’s cousin and wife, and Charles Hamilton’s sister. She has a small, childlike figure with large eyes “like candles.” Her delicate health is severely weakened after she has her first child, and throughout the story she never fully recovers. At first, she seems merely sweet, ardent, and naïve—very different from Scarlett who is bold, practical, and selfish. However, when she rushes like Scarlett to kill the Yankee who is trying to rob Tara, Scarlett sees that Melanie contains tremendous courage. Through Melanie’s fiercely loyal and selfless eyes, some of the worst characters are better than their true selves. Scarlett is brave and good in Melanie’s eyes, even though all that Scarlett ever does for Melanie is for selfish reasons. Also, she sees good in Rhett Butler even when he acts unpatriotically or violently. Melanie, like Ellen O’Hara, is a feminine ideal throughout the story whose unconditional love and loyalty contrast with Scarlett’s practicality and selfishness. Every character depends on Melanie so that, when she dies of a miscarriage at the end, it seems that everything falls apart without her.

Melanie Wilkes (Hamilton) Quotes in Gone with the Wind

The Gone with the Wind quotes below are all either spoken by Melanie Wilkes (Hamilton) or refer to Melanie Wilkes (Hamilton) . For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

The Civil War and Reconstruction Theme Icon

“Only when like marries like can there be happiness.”

Related Characters: (speaker), , , ,

Page Number and Citation: 53

Explanation and Analysis:

This quote appears in the conversation between Gerald and Scarlett as they discuss Ashley’s engagement to Melanie. Gerald warns Scarlett that she’ll never be happy with Ashley because he’s too different from her. The Wilkeses are dreamy and cerebral, whereas Scarlett is earthy and practical. For this reason, Gerald suggests she marry an athletic, enthusiastic County boy instead. Scarlett insists that she loves Ashley even though he proves to indeed be very different from her. After the war ends, Ashley thinks only of the past whereas Scarlett looks only to the future. Also, Ashley is too conscientious to be a good businessman whereas Scarlett will stop at nothing to make money. Whenever Ashley and Scarlett converse, they seem to be speaking different languages, and Scarlett never understands what Ashley’s thinking. This mystery keeps her obsession with Ashley alive through the whole novel. However, when Scarlett finally understands what Ashley is thinking, she sees that they are different, and she doesn’t love him anymore.

However, Scarlett meets Rhett Butler and finds her equal. Neither Rhett nor Scarlett are sentimental about the Cause, they think realistically, and they love money. At first, Scarlett tries to pretend she’s different from Rhett, but she eventually realizes he’s the only person she can tell everything to. However, she doesn’t recognize their ease and comfort together as love, even when they get married. By the time she realizes that she loves Rhett because he is “passionate and earthy” just like herself, he has become different from her—sentimental about the past, just like Ashley. Their divergence emotionally ends their marriage, showing that, as Gerald had forewarned, love only succeeds between like minds. The lack of successful love for Scarlett suggests that, in the end, there is no one like her, for everyone except her has turned back towards the old days.

Now, struggling against hatred for Ashley’s wife, there surged a feeling of admiration and comradeship. She saw in a flash of clarity untouched by any petty emotion that beneath the gentle voice and dovelike eyes of Melanie there was a thin flashing blade of unbreakable steel, felt too that there were banners and bugles of courage in Melanie’s quiet blood.

Related Characters: Scarlett O’Hara , Melanie Wilkes (Hamilton)

Page Number and Citation: 420

Explanation and Analysis:

“[before the war] there was a real beauty to living. […] And now it is gone and I am out of place in this new life, and I am afraid. Now, I know that in the old days, it was a shadow show I watched. I avoided everything which was not shadowy, people and situations which were too real, too vital. […] I tried to avoid you too, Scarlett. You were too full of living and too real and I was cowardly enough to prefer shadows and dreams.”

Related Characters: Ashley Wilkes (speaker), Scarlett O’Hara , Melanie Wilkes (Hamilton)

Related Literary Devices:

Page Number and Citation: 498

Explanation and Analysis:

[Scarlett] could see so clearly now that he was only a childish fancy, no more important really than her spoiled desire for the aquamarine earbobs she had coaxed out of Gerald. For, once she owned the earbobs, they had lost their value, as everything except money lost its value once it was hers. And so he, too, would have become cheap if, in those first far-away days, she had ever had the satisfaction of refusing to marry him.

Related Characters: Scarlett O’Hara (speaker), Ashley Wilkes , Melanie Wilkes (Hamilton) , Rhett Butler

Page Number and Citation: 940

Explanation and Analysis:

Melanie Wilkes (Hamilton) Character Timeline in Gone with the Wind

The timeline below shows where the character Melanie Wilkes (Hamilton) appears in Gone with the Wind. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Practicality, Tenacity, and Selfishness Theme Icon

...there, they’ll tell her a secret. Then Stuart spills the secret that Ashley Wilkes and Melanie Hamilton are announcing their engagement at the barbecue. Scarlett’s lips turn white. She agrees vaguely... (full context)

...her. Jeems points out that she got quiet after they told her of Ashley and Melanie’s engagement. This still puzzles them, since Scarlett and Ashley have always been close friends. The... (full context)

...her way. She can’t believe that Ashley Wilkes is going to marry the ugly, boring Melanie Hamilton when she knows that he really loves her. She hears Mammy, the O’Hara’s enslaved... (full context)

...about the war, but Scarlett impatiently changes the subject to tomorrow’s barbecue. Gerald mentions that Melanie Hamilton, that “sweet little thing,” is visiting from Atlanta. Crestfallen, Scarlett asks about Ashley. (full context)

Looking Forward vs. Looking Back Theme Icon

...Ashley; has he proposed to her? Scarlett answers no. Then, Gerald confirms that Ashley and Melanie are engaged and will announce it at the barbecue. Scarlett is visibly upset, and Gerald... (full context)

...examine her conscience during prayer, but Scarlett is thinking about Ashley. How could he marry Melanie when he and Scarlett love each other? Suddenly, it occurs to her that Ashley might... (full context)

...that what men say and what men think are different things. Then Mammy comments that Melanie Hamilton never eats in public. Irritated, Scarlett agrees to eat after she’s been laced in... (full context)

...Hetty. Beatrice explains that her girls are giddy because of the news of Ashley and Melanie’s engagement. It’s painful for Scarlett to hear it brought up so casually. But she brightens... (full context)

...help Suellen. Stuart and Brent Tarleton rush to greet Scarlett, who wonders where Ashley and Melanie are. (full context)

...Her plan is failing, as Ashley hasn’t joined her circle. He greeted her initially, but Melanie had been with him. Melanie is pale and childlike with a plain face, but Scarlett... (full context)

...Missing her sarcasm, Charles confesses that he loves her. Scarlett, looking over at Ashley and Melanie, doesn’t answer. Then Charles asks Scarlet if she will marry him. (full context)

...shy love for him. Scarlett wants Charles to be quiet so she can hear what Melanie and Ashley are talking about. She finally hears that they are discussing authors. This strikes... (full context)

...for the customary afternoon nap between a barbecue and a ball. Scarlett made sure that Melanie, Honey, and Hetty were all lying down before she slipped out. The men are outside... (full context)

...admits that he was a “cad” to say it, since he is going to marry Melanie. He can’t help caring for Scarlett since she’s so passionate, like “fire and wind.” Scarlett... (full context)

...the napping room when she hears Honey saying that Scarlett acted “fast” at the barbecue. Melanie urges Honey to be kind, saying she found Scarlett charming. Scarlett hates to hear Melanie,... (full context)

...Charles asks if she will marry him, and suggests they have a double wedding with Melanie and Ashley. Scarlett exclaims “no!” Realizing that Scarlett wants her own wedding, Charles asks when... (full context)

...arm into a crowd of guests. She remembers Ellen’s bewildered face and Ashley standing with Melanie on his arm. It feels like a nightmare. She remembers Charles’s stammering voice and her... (full context)

...cries in his arms. A week later, he leaves to fight. When Scarlett sees Ashley, Melanie makes him kiss her and invites Scarlett to visit in Atlanta. Then, Ashley leaves as... (full context)

...these visits thin and snappy, Ellen decided to send her and Wade to Atlanta. There, Melanie has been staying with her and Charles’s aunt, Miss Pittypat Hamilton. Scarlett hates the thought... (full context)

...Prissy in charge of Wade. Scarlett recalls that Charles said Peter practically raised him and Melanie after their parents died. He is “the smartest old darky” Charles had ever known and... (full context)

...approach the end of town, Scarlett sees Miss Pittypat’s red-brick house. Plump Miss Pittypat and Melanie, both dressed in black, stand on the porch. Scarlett realizes that Melanie, with her face... (full context)

...This wasn’t a problem before the war, when people had large houses and endless food. Melanie and Miss Pittypat urge Scarlett to stay for good because they love her, and they... (full context)

...Charles was so shy and delicate. His only role models had been Miss Pittypat and Melanie, who are both sweet and childlike. Miss Pittypat is always swooning due to her constantly... (full context)

...behavior are even stricter than Mammy’s. Scarlett slowly regains her youthful energy. She’s jealous of Melanie and dislikes Miss Pittypat, but she’s happy. The enslaved staff even take Wade Hamilton off... (full context)

...“patriotic fervor.” The hospitals stink of gangrene and open wounds, and there are swarming mosquitoes. Melanie acts like this doesn’t bother her, though Scarlett finds her in a closet vomiting into... (full context)

...Black men play banjo and sing. The caravan waves to Scarlett as it passes. She, Melly (Melanie’s nickname) and Pittypat can’t go because they are in mourning. Scarlett worked so hard... (full context)

...window. When Pitty says Scarlett must be careful to mourn more, Scarlett bursts into tears. Melly runs in, wondering what’s the matter. Pittypat says Scarlett is upset about Charles. As Scarlett... (full context)

Scarlett wonders how Melanie can stand that her life and youth are disappearing. Melanie is less miserable than Scarlett,... (full context)

As everyone sings along with “Bonnie Blue Flag,” Scarlett hears Melanie’s soprano and turns to see her face glowing with fanaticism. Every woman’s face is similar... (full context)

...to conceal these thoughts, but she wonders why she is different from these “loving women.” Melanie notices her gloominess but thinks Scarlett misses Charles. Really, though, Scarlett is only 17 and... (full context)

...The militia falls into line and everyone applauds. Trying to seem engaged, Scarlett turns to Melanie and praises the militia. Melanie says in a loud voice that they’d look better in... (full context)

Dr. Meade approaches Scarlett and Melanie and thanks them for coming. Then, he says he has a scandalous idea that will... (full context)

Melanie turns and recognizes Rhett Butler. She greets him warmly and asks what brings him to... (full context)

Scarlett is enraged. Rhett is just pretending to look sorry for her, and Melanie is foolish and can’t see through it. Even worse, Rhett knows Scarlett didn’t love Charles.... (full context)

...isn’t really a great blockader and that the Confederacy isn’t as strong as she thought. Melanie warns Scarlett to be careful talking to strangers—Mrs. Merriwether was staring. Scarlett brushes her off,... (full context)

The next morning over breakfast, Miss Pittypat wails over how “conspicuous” Rhett Butler made Scarlett. Melanie says Rhett must be a brave gentleman for running the blockade. Scarlett repeats what Rhett... (full context)

Prissy comes in with a letter for Melanie. Melanie opens it and lets out a cry, and Pittypat screams “Ashley’s dead!” Scarlett, who... (full context)

Scarlett tells Melanie and Pittypat about her letter. She asks them to stand by her when Gerald arrives... (full context)

The next day, Pittypat stays in bed while Scarlett and Melanie greet Gerald. Gerald kisses Scarlett and pinches Melanie’s cheek, too shy to reprimand Scarlett while... (full context)

...a shift at the hospital tired and annoyed. She excuses herself from paying calls with Melanie and Pittypat, and when the sound of their carriage dies away, she sneaks quietly into... (full context)

...endearment. She panics when she reads that Ashley wants to reveal his true feelings to Melanie—is Ashley going to tell Melanie about Scarlett? But as she reads on, Ashley reveals that... (full context)

...She has no interest in Ashley’s ideas; she just wants to know if he loves Melanie. Judging from the brotherly affectionate tone of his letters, Ashley only loves Melanie as a... (full context)

...is married, he’s so far away that he belongs to her as well as to Melanie. (full context)

Melanie insists that Rhett is a gentleman. She secretly feels sorry for Rhett, believing that some... (full context)

At Mrs. Elsing’s musical for convalescents, Rhett ruins his reputation for good. Melanie and Scarlett sing a duet and perform a skit about the Confederate victory. Afterwards, Rhett... (full context)

In the carriage on the way home, Mrs. Merriwether scolds Pittypat, Melanie, and Scarlett for their association with Rhett, “the traitor,” and demands that they cut contact... (full context)

Melanie, pale and wide-eyed, said she will continue to speak to Rhett Butler. Scarlett admires and... (full context)

...her house, threatening that they’ll be sorry. Miss Pittypat, strangely calm, says she’s grateful that Melanie stood up to Mrs. Merriwether. But should she have said that about Ashley? Melanie cries... (full context)

...knows it is a disgrace, but she doesn’t have the courage to turn him away. Melanie defends Rhett and his patriotism, while Scarlett knows Rhett isn’t patriotic but doesn’t care. As... (full context)

...to do her hair in a new style because Rhett is coming to dinner. Suddenly, Melanie runs up the stairs and bursts into Scarlett’s room, looking guilty. Melanie says she might... (full context)

Curious, Scarlett asks what Belle is like. Melanie says she’s sad and wears all black. Belle wanted to donate to the hospital but... (full context)

...a lady can’t mention those things. She goes to tell Peter not to tell on Melanie and throws the handkerchief in the fire on her way. (full context)

At Miss Pitty’s house, Pitty, Scarlett, and Melanie are afraid for Ashley. Rumors fly about Lee possibly dying in Pennsylvania, and crowds gather... (full context)

Scarlett, Melanie, and Miss Pittypat sit in their carriage in front of the newspaper office, where they... (full context)

...saying he’ll go kill all the Yankees. Mrs. Meade grabs his arm and cries “no!” Melanie throws Miss Pitty onto Scarlett’s shoulder and climbs into Mrs. Meade’s carriage to escort her... (full context)

...puts Miss Pitty to bed then goes to the Meades’. Mrs. Meade is upstairs, and Melanie is helping some neighbors turn her dresses black. Scarlett decides not to tell Melanie that... (full context)

Melanie says she’d love to have a son like Phil. She confesses that she’s jealous of... (full context)

...room with Ashley again. She thinks he is more attractive than ever. He sits between Melanie and India, and Scarlett wishes she could sit beside him. After hugging everyone, he’d finally... (full context)

Melanie worries about Ashley’s ragged appearance, but Ashley says he’s lucky. His boots had been wearing... (full context)

...sadness that he’s hiding. Her happiness disappears later when Ashley goes into the bedroom with Melanie, shutting the door on Scarlett. (full context)

...her goodbye present for him, waiting for him to come downstairs after saying goodbye to Melanie. She thinks of everything she wants to say to Ashley. She wants to know he... (full context)

...Scarlett hears Ashley’s steps on the stairs. She is happy he’s alone and decides that Melanie must be too upset to leave her room. He appears in his mismatched uniform, but... (full context)

Ashley asks Scarlett to take care of Melanie. Scarlett is angry that Ashley asks her this in their last moment together. Ashley says... (full context)

Scarlett promises to take care of Melanie, willing to do anything for Ashley. He kisses her forehead, saying she is strong and... (full context)

One day, Melanie comes into Scarlett’s room and announces shyly that she is pregnant. The news pains Scarlett.... (full context)

...Ashley is missing. A note from Ashley’s colonel confirms Mose’s report. Scarlett tries to pray. Melanie says that Scarlett is all she has now, and they cry together in bed. Melanie... (full context)

...day, Ashley’s name appears in the casualty list as “Missing—believed killed” and then “Missing—believed captured.” Melanie hangs around the telegraph office, waiting for news. Because she’s pregnant, she tires more easily.... (full context)

Rhett finds out that Ashley is a prisoner at Rock Island, in Illinois. Melanie and Scarlett are relieved, but then afraid—Rock Island is an infamous prison where the Union... (full context)

...her husband is right—if the Yankees invade Georgia, Phil will join the fight. Scarlett and Melanie think of Ashley while Rhett Butler holds Wade Hamilton and plays with him. That morning,... (full context)

...he’s been watching her “schoolgirl” passion for Ashley, and how she has hidden it from Melanie. He asks if Ashley has ever been unfaithful to Melanie and kissed Scarlett, and he... (full context)

...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... (full context)

...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... (full context)

...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... (full context)

...siege comes closer and closer to Atlanta. Wade and Prissy hide in the basement, but Melanie was told to stay in bed, so she and Scarlett cower upstairs as bullets fall... (full context)

...visits briefly and soaks his feet in a tub of water. He tells Scarlett and Melanie he’ll be marching towards Jonesboro the next morning. The girls are scared, but he assures... (full context)

...Tara is safe. But he has some bad news he wants Scarlett to give to Melanie: John Wilkes is dead. Henry pulls a gold watch from his pocket. Scarlett is shocked... (full context)

...how angry Rhett made her last time she saw him. Rhett says he’s surprised that Melanie and Scarlett haven’t gone to Macon, especially since Melanie is pregnant. He laughs, thinking of... (full context)

...or might even be dead. If she dies, Scarlett will be stuck with Wade and Melanie. Scarlett daydreams about the miles of white cotton at Tara, and the enslaved boys running... (full context)

Scarlett looks in Melanie’s room. Melanie lies in bed. There are black circles around her eyes and her face... (full context)

...to play outside. Then she sits on the stairs to compose her emotions. Why does Melanie have to have her baby today? The town is so quiet—there are no ambulances, soldiers,... (full context)

Scarlett goes into Melanie’s room and says cheerfully that Wade’s birth was over in no time. Melanie hopes hers... (full context)

Scarlett sits with Melanie and talks about meaningless things. Melanie’s face is screwed up in pain, but she lies... (full context)

...go to the depot herself to get Dr. Meade and tells Prissy to stay with Melanie. If Prissy says anything about the fighting to Melanie, Scarlett will “sell her south.” She... (full context)

...Scarlett wonders where to go to escape the Yankees, but she can’t go anywhere when Melanie is about to have her baby. (full context)

...her since they need help. But when Scarlett says she needs his help to deliver Melanie’s baby, Dr. Meade angrily says he can’t leave the soldiers for “a damned baby.” He... (full context)

...the yard. Once inside, Scarlett tells Prissy that the two of them will help birth Melanie’s baby. Prissy stammers, and says she knows nothing about childbirth. Scarlett shakes her and calls... (full context)

That afternoon is the longest of Scarlett’s life. Melanie and Scarlett are drenched in sweat, and Scarlett waves flies from Melanie while Prissy crouches... (full context)

...and hoists up her skirt to feel the air on her hot skin. It’s over: Melanie is alive and her little boy is getting his first bath. Why isn’t Melanie dead... (full context)

Scarlett goes into the kitchen and eats. She should go check on Melanie, but she doesn’t want to go into the room where she spent so many hellish... (full context)

...stay in his arms forever. He wipes her eyes with his handkerchief and suggests that Melanie stay with Mrs. Meade. When Scarlett refuses to leave her, Rhett suggests they put a... (full context)

...She tells Prissy to get Wade’s feather bed, then she and Rhett go upstairs to Melanie’s room. Scarlett explains what is happening to Melanie. Rhett picks Melanie up gently. As they... (full context)

Outside, everyone gets into the rickety wagon. Melanie lies on the featherbed with Wade, Prissy, and the baby. The horse is thin and... (full context)

...hopes Scarlett feels guilty when he’s dead. He returns to the wagon to find that Melanie has fainted, so he gives Prissy a pistol and walks away. Scarlett hates him. Why... (full context)

The sun wakes Scarlett the next morning. Wade is asleep on her lap, and Melanie, Prissy, and the baby are curled up in the back of the wagon. Scarlett thinks... (full context)

...well when usually she can only sleep in featherbeds. She gasps when she sees that Melanie looks dead, but Melanie is breathing. Scarlett realizes they’re stopped at the Mallorys’ place. It’s... (full context)

...she could run the 15 miles home in an instant. She puts her bonnet over Melanie’s bare face. Scarlett has never been in the sun without a bonnet. She’ll get freckly!... (full context)

...would’ve been better to die in Atlanta. But she promised Ashley she’s take care of Melanie. Where is Ashley now? Is he dead? (full context)

...full of milk. Scarlett decides to bring the cow so they can have milk for Melanie’s baby. She tears up her petticoat—the last pretty thing she owns—and tells Prissy to tie... (full context)

As Scarlett stumbles to the wagon after tying up the cow, Melanie asks if they’re home, her voice a croak. The word home brings tears to Scarlett’s... (full context)

...The baby cries and Gerald looks into the wagon. Scarlett knows she needs to get Melanie inside. (full context)

...arms and Prissy bursts into tears. Getting down to business, Scarlett directs Pork to carry Melanie into one of the rooms, and Prissy to get Wade a drink of water. With... (full context)

...the cow needs to be milked. Though it’s improper to speak of pregnancy, she says Melanie doesn’t have milk for the baby. Pork shares that Dilcey just had a baby boy... (full context)

Dilcey enters, holding Melanie’s baby and the whiskey gourd. Her dress is open, and the baby clings to her... (full context)

...a child. No one can take her burdens: Gerald is old, and Carreen, Suellen, and Melanie are weak. She looks out the window at the desolate land. She could leave and... (full context)

...pillar. She once hoped to be the mistress of this house. She watched Ashley marry Melanie here, and Charles proposed here. Scarlett hopes Ashley is dead so he’ll never see this... (full context)

Scarlett focuses on getting food. Everyone at Tara complains of hunger except Melanie, who tells Scarlett to give her portion to Dilcey. Her selflessness irritates Scarlett. Wade acts... (full context)

Scarlett hears dragging footsteps and a clanking upstairs. She looks up to see Melanie in a tattered nightgown, dragging Charles’s sword to the landing with pride in her eyes.... (full context)

Melanie drags herself downstairs. Scarlett tells her to go back to bed, but Melanie says they... (full context)

...of money in the Yankee’s pocket. She imagines all that she’ll buy with the money. Melanie finds a huge pile of gold trinkets in the backpack. Scarlett grabs the Yankee’s boots... (full context)

Limping, Scarlett drags the body down the porch. Melanie sits hugging her knees to her breasts. It irritates Scarlett that Melanie is thinking of... (full context)

...if the Fontaines are still in the County. She plans to ask Dr. Fontaine about Melanie, who still isn’t better after her baby’s birth. The sight of the Fontaines’ yellow house... (full context)

...She explains that Ellen died of typhoid, that Gerald has lost his mind, and that Melanie is sick and needs a doctor. Grandma Fontaine presses her further, and Scarlett tells the... (full context)

...so slow that she has them do other tasks. Next, she has Suellen, Carreen, and Melanie pick. Melanie faints and Suellen refuses, saying Ellen would never make her pick cotton. Carreen... (full context)

...grouped around the table finishing supper. Pork suggests they kill the sow that day. Suddenly, Melanie hears someone coming and everyone rushes to the door. Sally Fontaine gallops up on a... (full context)

...it in her bodice, the Yankees will strip her naked to get it. She wishes Melanie was with her. She picks up the baby from his cradle. Out the window she... (full context)

...water and beats the flames. The flames climb higher. Then the door swings open and Melanie rushes in. They beat the flames together. Melanie shrieks and hits Scarlett across the shoulders.... (full context)

Scarlett wakes on the porch, her head in Melanie’s lap. Her body hurts from burns, but Melanie assures her the fire is out. Scarlett... (full context)

...this dream when she goes to sleep with an empty stomach. She starts sleeping with Melanie and begins to get thin and gaunt. (full context)

...to see Frank—her beau—again. Carreen talks with one of the soldiers who knew Brent Tarleton. Melanie, usually shy around men, flirts with a soldier. She’s still weak but wants the soldiers... (full context)

...living in tents while they rebuild their homes. Frank insists that Atlanta can’t be beaten. Melanie and Scarlett are proud of Atlanta. Melanie says that if Aunt Pitty is going back,... (full context)

...the Yankees to pilfer Georgia. Gerald says Ellen won’t like the way Scarlett is talking. Melanie asks if Frank has heard of Ashley. Frank hasn’t, so Melanie starts to say she... (full context)

Frank says the Yankee prisons are comfortable, unlike the Confederate prisons. Melanie jokes that he must be lying and offers to go play piano for the men.... (full context)

While Scarlett has this conversation, Suellen, Melanie, and Carreen cry over the lost Cause. Scarlett is relieved the Cause was lost. Now... (full context)

...visits, Scarlett doesn’t want to see the Tarletons. But Suellen insists, so one day, Scarlett, Melanie, Suellen, and Carreen go to the ruins of the Tarleton house. Beatrice Tarleton sits on... (full context)

...Suellen starts to cry; she hasn’t heard from Frank since Christmas. Scarlett shushes Suellen and Melanie says they must raise their boys to be like the men they lost. Thinking of... (full context)

...Cathleen rides away, Scarlett thinks that she can’t be in love with that “white trash.” Melanie says Cathleen doesn’t have to marry; there’s nothing wrong with being a “spinster.” She suggests... (full context)

...the soldiers for news of Ashley, but there is none. The soldiers try to comfort Melanie by saying it’s a long walk from Rock Island, and maybe Ashley had no boots.... (full context)

One afternoon Scarlett, Melanie, Mammy, and Prissy are about to cut into a watermelon when they hear a horse... (full context)

Melanie faints and Mammy catches her, telling Peter not to touch her. Everyone swarms around Melanie,... (full context)

...words were for her. But as time goes on, she knows they were really for Melanie. She wishes Melanie had died in childbirth so that Scarlett and Ashley could marry and... (full context)

Scarlett set the table sparely when soldiers came. Once, she catches Melanie giving her food to the soldiers. Scarlett tells her to stop; Melanie is too weak... (full context)

...and has to be put to bed. He has a wooden leg, and Scarlett and Melanie can tell he’s of a lower class. When he recovers, he wakes to Carreen praying... (full context)

One day, Will, Scarlett, and Melanie sit on the veranda. Melanie has been happier since she heard from Ashley, but she’s... (full context)

...up, Will sees a soldier coming. Scarlett grouses that hopefully this one isn’t hungry, but Melanie rises and turns white. Scarlett grabs her but Melanie throws off her hands and runs... (full context)

...find him. Hopefully he’s alone; Scarlett has been very jealous since Ashley is always with Melanie these days. She wishes he were her husband. As Scarlett catches sight of Ashley, who’s... (full context)

...but that life is a shadow. Real things—like Scarlett—have always scared him. Scarlett asks about Melanie, and Ashley says she’s a dreamer too. Ashley continues that he thought he’d be content... (full context)

...facing life without beauty of the old days. Scarlett is confused and thinks grumpily that Melanie would probably understand him. In her opinion, the only things to fear are starvation and... (full context)

...care of everyone and wants to go away with him. Scarlett says Ashley doesn’t love Melanie, and Melanie can’t give him more children—but Scarlett can. He grabs her roughly and says... (full context)

...her neck will snap. Ashley cries that they won’t do this again; he’ll leave with Melanie and the baby. Scarlett cries that he can’t leave, and Ashley’s expression turns savage. He... (full context)

...Scarlett says she’s going to “mortgage the house,” but no one knows what that means. Melanie teases that it must have something to do with Captain Butler. The girls donate their... (full context)

...the place Scarlett had sat to catch her breath after looking for Dr. Meade while Melanie was having her baby. She’d thought she’d hit rock bottom that day. Now, Scarlett wonders... (full context)

...Scarlett still loves Ashley. Does Ashley still love her, or has he learned to love Melanie? Scarlett doesn’t want to talk about it; Rhett doesn’t understand how pure Ashley’s love for... (full context)

Scarlett does feel lonely. She says she’s never had female friends. Rhett points out Melanie approves of everything she does. Scarlett remembers privately that Melanie had even approved of her... (full context)

...it and now he loves it. Once he marries Suellen, Ashley plans to leave with Melanie and find work in a New York bank. Will says Ashley is ashamed of living... (full context)

...Alex Fontaine was like that, but necessity made him a good farmer. Grandma Fontaine says Melanie keeps Ashley afloat. Melanie reminds Grandma Fontaine of a young Ellen. (full context)

Scarlett flings herself on the sofa and cries. Melanie bursts in, worried that Scarlett is having her baby. Scarlett says Ashley is mean and... (full context)

After Suellen and Will marry and Carreen goes to the convent, Ashley, Melanie, and Beau move to Atlanta, bringing Dilcey with them. They move into a house with... (full context)

Melanie and Ashley furnish their house with the cheapest goods from Frank’s store. They buy it... (full context)

The old ladies of Atlanta say Melanie is a role model who will lead young people away from traitorous actions. The traitors... (full context)

Melanie is also secretary for a sewing circle and a group that beautifies Confederate graves. A... (full context)

On summer nights, Melanie’s house is always full. Many prominent Confederates often attend. Scarlett won’t host such guests until... (full context)

...that they only talk of the war. Even children talk about it. She hates when Melanie talks about Scarlett’s bravery at Tara, because she feels no pride in what she did.... (full context)

...in the house and deposit it in the bank. Scarlett is furious. She runs to Melanie’s and rages about this injustice. Melanie comforts Scarlett and says she’ll think of a solution. (full context)

That afternoon, a strange man walks over from Melanie’s and finds Scarlett in Pitty’s backyard. He is one of the homeless “riffraff” that Melanie... (full context)

...win elections. Ashley also attends these meetings, so everyone at Pitty’s usually spent nights at Melanie’s. (full context)

...“sentimental fools.” Looking at Archie and his pistols, Scarlett is scared. Scarlett says that if Melanie knew Archie was a murderer, she’d be shocked. Archie says Melanie does know, but she... (full context)

...could trust her, but he was wrong. As he was riding over, he ran into Melanie. She told him they’d moved to Atlanta because Scarlett had graciously given Ashley a partnership... (full context)

Later that night, Frank brings Scarlett, the children, and Miss Pitty to Melanie’s and goes to a meeting with Ashley. Scarlett is angry and hurt that Frank is... (full context)

At Melanie’s, the women sit by the fire sewing. The children sleep in the nursery, and Archie... (full context)

...fire and India scolds him. Miss Pitty says she’s glad her father didn’t chew, and Melanie snaps at her for being tactless. Scarlett wonders what’s wrong with the women. India gives... (full context)

...for months, and that she deserved worse. India starts to say something about Frank, but Melanie stops her. India says she hates Scarlett because she has exposed every decent woman by... (full context)

Archie silences them and says he hears someone coming. Rhett Butler announces himself and Melanie flings open the door. Rhett demands to know where the men have gone. Scarlett doesn’t... (full context)

Scarlett shakes Melanie, demanding to know what’s happening. India says it means Scarlett has probably killed Ashley and... (full context)

...Ashley aren’t killed, they’ll have to flee. Archie says the blood is on Scarlett’s hands. Melanie defends Scarlett, saying people must do what they must do. (full context)

...is Captain Tom Jaffery, one of Rhett’s friends and a customer of Scarlett’s. He asks Melanie where Mr. Wilkes and Mr. Kennedy are. She says they’re at a meeting at Frank’s... (full context)

Melanie’s voice trails off as she hears horses and singing voices. It’s Rhett, singing a song... (full context)

Ashley collapses into a chair, and Melanie scolds Rhett for bringing her husband home drunk. Melanie tells Archie to put Ashley to... (full context)

Scarlett watches Melanie sop blood from Ashley’s shoulder with a towel. Scarlett wants to run to him. Noticing... (full context)

Rhett accidentally calls Melanie by her familiar name “Melly,” but she says she’d love him to call her that.... (full context)

...Rhett is motivated to help former Confederates because of his relationship with Scarlett or with Melanie. (full context)

A Black coachman comes to Melanie’s house the next day and leads her out to a carriage. Belle Watling asks Melanie... (full context)

Scarlett wishes Melanie were with her. She wants Ashley too, but if he knew the truth about her... (full context)

...Rhett says that’s because she’s only met two great ladies in her life: Ellen and Melanie. (full context)

At a Ladies’ Sewing Circle meeting at Melanie’s, Mrs. Elsing waits until Melanie has gone into the kitchen before she says she won’t... (full context)

Suddenly, Melanie stands in the door. The ladies are shocked to see her gentle eyes flash with... (full context)

Mrs. Elsing jumps up, saying Melanie is ill-bred. Melanie says Mrs. Elsing is just bitter because Hugh was demoted from Scarlett’s... (full context)

Scarlett invites her friends, old and new, to her house-warming reception. Only Ashley, Melanie, Pitty, Uncle Henry, and the Meades of the Old Guard came. A few others reluctantly... (full context)

The next day, Scarlett yells at Melanie for disrespecting her at the party. Melanie says that she wouldn’t have attended if she... (full context)

...her in with Bullock and the Republicans and hate her. Over time, she stops caring. Melanie still comes with Ashley, and Scarlett makes new friends. These new friends are rich Carpetbaggers,... (full context)

Months later, Melanie comes out of Scarlett’s room and tells an anxious Rhett he can go in. He... (full context)

...and scolded him. She told him to go away, but he retreated down the hall. Melanie found him and told him he had a baby sister. When he asked if his... (full context)

...but Rhett asks if she really does. They name the baby Eugene Victoria, but when Melanie says the girl’s eyes are blue as the Bonnie Blue flag, her name becomes Bonnie... (full context)

...her way home, Scarlett feels certain Ashley loves her. Since Ashley can’t be intimate with Melanie because Melanie can’t have another baby, Scarlett decides it would be wonderful if she stopped... (full context)

...sex. Scarlett asks Rhett to take Ashley as an example: Ashley kindly stays away from Melanie so she doesn’t become pregnant. Rhett sneers and asks if Scarlett visited the mill today.... (full context)

Around this time, Melanie plans a surprise party for Ashley’s birthday. She makes everyone swear to keep it a... (full context)

Scarlett grumbles about Melanie still having that “desperado” Archie in her house. Melanie says he’s harmless, and India says... (full context)

...his hair bright in the sunshine. He asks cheerily why she’s not at home helping Melanie with the party. He explains that all the men who’ve suffered through surprise parties warned... (full context)

Scarlett races home, ashamed and afraid. Everyone will talk tonight at Ashley’s party, Melanie would find out, and Scarlett’s reputation will be ruined! No one will ever believe she... (full context)

When Scarlett and Rhett arrive, Melanie’s house is full of people. Scarlett is afraid to go in and hear what everyone... (full context)

...party, Scarlett undresses and thinks of how awful it was to stand between Ashley and Melanie and greet the guests. She shakes from the stress of the evening. Rhett had sent... (full context)

...and the lover looking like a “damned fool.” Rhett says he imagines Scarlett still thinks Melanie is a fool for loving Scarlett too much to see the truth. He’s not interested... (full context)

The next day, Melanie covers Scarlett’s mouth and says she doesn’t want an apology. She says that she, Ashley,... (full context)

Melanie sews, trying to control her anger. She says that everyone is jealous because Scarlett is... (full context)

...sister. He’ll always look into India’s eyes and see the horrible truth that he betrayed Melanie by pursuing Scarlett. It must torture him to be sheltered by Melanie because he values... (full context)

True to her word, Melanie cut ties with each of Scarlett’s haters. She goes with Scarlett everywhere, brings her along... (full context)

Miss Pitty suffers the most because she loves Melanie but relies on India to live with her and care for her. Pitty’s fear of... (full context)

...whole time. Sometimes she wonders if he’ll ever come back. Scarlett doesn’t feel well, but Melanie insists that she keep running her businesses. However, Scarlett’s heart isn’t in it; she has... (full context)

...attention span irritates her, and Wade is afraid of her. But when Wade is at Melanie’s, he is happy and talkative. (full context)

...the floor after she fell. After that, all she remembers are voices and people running. Melanie comes when Scarlett screams, and death seems further away with Melanie there. Scarlett believes Melanie... (full context)

At last, Melanie goes to tell Rhett that Scarlett is better. He looks at her, weeping, and asks... (full context)

Then Rhett tells Melanie what he’d said about Scarlett having a miscarriage just before Scarlett fell. Melanie’s eyes widen... (full context)

...like a sick, lost child. Rhett watches the train leave bitterly and then goes to Melanie’s house. Melanie sits on her porch sewing and is embarrassed to see Rhett coming. The... (full context)

...mills voluntarily, but he wants to suggest that Ashley buy Scarlett out of her share. Melanie says that would be nice, but she and Ashley don’t have the money. Ashley was... (full context)

Melanie is reluctant to deceive Ashley, but she finally agrees. She wonders why everyone says bad... (full context)

...hands, and she’s certain that Ashley will ruin them since he’s still a terrible businessman. Melanie passes out wine to Rhett, Scarlett, and Ashley to celebrate the sale. Ashley says he... (full context)

Three nights after Bonnie’s death, Mammy walks to Melanie’s house. In the kitchen, Mammy says she wants to tell Melanie what’s on her mind.... (full context)

...each other, but then Scarlett demanded that Rhett “give [her] [her] baby that [he] killed.” Melanie says she doesn’t want to hear these awful things, but Mammy refuses to stop. Scarlett... (full context)

Melanie is shocked. She remembers that Rhett said he had a key to Belle’s, but she... (full context)

Melanie understands Rhett’s pain; she thinks how scary it would be to bury one’s own child... (full context)

Scarlett is in Marietta when Rhett sends an urgent telegram that Melanie is ill. Leaving Wade and Ella with Prissy, Scarlett gets the first train to Atlanta.... (full context)

...are gathered inside. Ashley looks like a sleepwalker. Scarlett is afraid but refuses to believe Melanie is dying. Ashley says Melanie told no one she was pregnant because she’d been so... (full context)

...door behind her. The room is neat and spare, so unlike Scarlett’s own lavish bedroom. Melanie lies in bed, her eyes sunken and closed. Until this moment, Scarlett had refused to... (full context)

Melanie gathers strength and starts to say something about Ashley and Scarlett. Scarlett is terrified; she... (full context)

The door opens and Dr. Meade calls Scarlett out. She holds Melanie’s hand to her cheek and says goodnight. Melanie asks for one more promise: that Scarlett... (full context)

Scarlett wonders where Ashley is. She’s losing Melanie, but she still has Ashley. She finds him in his room, holding one of Melanie’s... (full context)

...winces. His drooping shoulders show he’s already criticizing himself. Scarlett thinks of how she promised Melanie she’d care for him, and now she’s hurting his feelings. Scarlett can stand this, but... (full context)

...tries to tell herself love can’t change, but it has. He was a childish fancy. Melanie is dead, and Ashley could ask her to divorce Rhett to marry him. But now... (full context)

...her old chant had lost its power. She knows that her too-late realizations—that she loved Melanie and doesn’t love Ashley—will plague her the rest of her life. (full context)

...has no reaction. Drink and grief has worn away his handsome figure. He asks if Melanie is dead. Scarlett nods, wanting to shout that she loves him. (full context)

Rhett says he didn’t go in with Scarlett because he couldn’t bear it. He says Melanie was a great lady, his expression like the one he had when he joined the... (full context)

Suddenly interested, Rhett demands to know what Melanie said about him. Scarlett tells him that Melanie said Rhett loved Scarlett. Rhett goes to... (full context)

Melanie Wilkes (Hamilton) Character Analysis

Melanie Wilkes (Hamilton) Quotes in Gone with the Wind

Chapter 2 Quotes

Chapter 26 Quotes

Chapter 31 Quotes

Chapter 61 Quotes

Melanie Wilkes (Hamilton) Character Timeline in Gone with the Wind