Not Just A Hat Rack - Scarlett

“Fiddle-dee-dee!”

Among many things, Gone With The Wind is a film about character exploration, most notably with regards to Scarlett O’Hara. As the focal point of the film, she starts out as a spoilt brat intent on scheming her way into the affections of Ashley Wilkes. When attending a social barbeque, she charms her way through many male acquaintances with flattery and flirting, but all as a means of working her way towards all round decent guy Ashley, who is already spoken for.

She’ll spend the entirety of the film fixated on the object of her affections, but often alongside her counterpart Melanie, Ashley’s fiancée. Where the two women seem equal in class and status, they differ wildly in sincerity: Melanie takes everyone she ever meets to be a good soul, even questionable Scarlett, who only ever seems to do anything as long as it suits her needs.

Therefore, Melanie and Ashley are perfect for one another, and in a way so too are Scarlett and Rhett, who will go on to marry Scarlett after many years and encounters of a love and hate relationship.

Though Scarlett does indeed grow as a character throughout this epic story, from riches to rags, building up her fallen house and household, finding resilience and resourcefulness, when she returns to a life of even greater riches with Rhett, she still hasn’t been able to either detach from her vision of a life with Ashley, nor the spoilt brat we were first introduced to.

The chaotic and emotional rollercoaster of a final scene shows how toxic a relationship Scarlett and Rhett have. The back and forth of dialogue and Scarlett’s last monologue sum things up perfectly: neither were ever able to love and care about one another more than they were able to with themselves.

The Hat:

When Scarlett attends the barbeque to end all barbeques, she does so in style. She chooses a hat that is large and acts almost like a ring of light surrounding her face. She needs to grab people’s attention, especially Ashley’s.

Hats in general are a big part of her personality. Having married a man disingenuously, who soon dies in war, her initial hat of choice for mourning is extravagant and wholly unsuitable for the occasion.

Furthermore, her excitement is piqued when Rhett purchases her a new bonnet, one that shows the level of wealth and refinement he has over hers, since he even has to show her how to wear it correctly. It is also the first of many examples of their relationship being transactional.

When Scarlett does face hardship and her survival skills are tested, the hat comes off. She isn’t above getting her hands dirty, or head sweaty when rebuilding her home.

However, when desperate times call for desperate measures, the hat comes back on. It enhances her status and attractiveness, which she’ll need in order to persuade various men to help and support her financially. Yet it also reflects her resourcefulness, acting like a mask to conceal her calculated intentions, or as a tool to enhance her brazenness.

Not Just A Hat Rack - Scarlett reel on Instagram