GWTW parallels Margaret Mitchell's life in many aspects. Her life was depicted as Scarlett's in her novel, and many of the things she wrote about Scarlett were real events in her own life. Scarlett's First Husband When she was eighteen, Peggy Mitchell was engaged to a second lieutenant. Shortly after, the young officer went off to battle and died. Scarlett marries Charles Hamilton a mere two weeks before he dies of measles, not of a bullet wound. The Atlanta Bazaar Scarlett astonishes Atlanta as she dances with Rhett at a charity ball for the Confederates a mere year after Charles' death from the measles. Because she was still in mourning for her husband's death, it was improper to dance or laugh or have any fun at all. That would be easy if she were truly mourning her dear Charles' death, but Scarlett only married him for spite and to get revenge for what Honey Wilkes said about her. Margaret Mitchell brought gasps in Atlanta when, shortly after her mother died, she danced at a charity ball. Atlanta burning Both Scarlett and Margaret experienced the confusion of an Atlanta fire. Margaret's was in 1917 though, not in the 1860's. Ellen's death Ellen O'hara died of typhoid after becoming especially weak from nursing others from the same disease. She never got to see Scarlett return from Atlanta, and Scarlett never got to say goodbye. Margaret was called out of college because her mother was deathly ill with Spanish influenza. Her mother, too, had been exposed to the disease by nursing so many people and was too weak to fight it off. She died before Margaret reached her bedside. The men they loved Scarlett, Vivien Leigh, and Margaret Mitchel all had three men in their lives. Scarlett had Charles Hamilton, Frank Kennedy, and, of course, Rhett Butler. Vivien had Leigh Holman, Laurence Olivier, and Peter Finch. Margaret had Cliffor Henry, Berrien "Red" Upshaw, and John Marsh. In these ways, Margaret Mitchell's life parallel's her incredible book. This makes her book more realistic, more believable. Her book is an American icon, and though very few know her story, they can get a glimpse of her through her writings. Through this book, she lives on. Home All my links This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page