hermosanisa 's review for:

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

3.0

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Margaret Mitchell beautifully depicts the Reconstruction period of the South through the lens of a white Southern woman. As I was reading this book, I was constantly asking myself why was this book on the banned list and how as a society have we changed. When I carried around the book in public, I was able to gauge in fruitful conversation with friends, family, and strangers about the book and its contents. This book glossies over hard topics- such as lyncing, the KKK, and slavery- while glorifying the South and the Confederacy; which makes sense if the main characters are plantation owners. I believe that its fruitful to remember that slavery is written in America's history and at one point of time, people hated the idea of former slaves having the same rights and freedoms they did. We must remember our past in order to create a better future. However, I also think that this book serves as a reminder to us all to question if we, as a society, have changed at all? I truly think that we still are hateful to one another- whether it's looking down on those who are less fortunate or less able than we are. It starts with one person to change that narrative, and Melanie (despite her faults) serves as a character reminder that we don't need a lot in life to give a lot. I hope that this book can be a reminder to us all to love others well and change the narrative that America was built upon.