Reading the Chunksters discussion

I'm a week behind on posting, but here's the topic for week 15. Feel free to fill it up!

I actually feel quite terrible for Rhett in these sections. He's constantly watching for Scarlett to realize that she loves him, rather than Ashley. I think Rhett has more depth of feeling than he would ever allow himself to admit for Scarlett. I think he is passionately in love with her, but in control of himself enough that he can be logical about their situation.

And we see Scarlett suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. She wakes up from those dreams shaking and horrified by the terrors of the past.

I only wish we had more of a look at what's going on in Tara still.

Becky - I was thinking the same thing about Tara. Scarlett ostensibly did all of this for Tara, and yet we really have no idea what is going on there. It says something very significant about Will though - that Scarlett trusts him enough with Tara to not be constantly worried about it.

I also think Rhett is much more in love with Scarlett than he would ever let on - and how dumb is she for not understanding. We're in another one of those sections where I really don't like her very much.

I know, which is disappointing, because in the last section I really was starting to like her. I hated that she used the convict labor and that she didn't stand up to her foreman who was misusing them, but I appreciated her valor in confronting social norms. She did what she had to do, ebcause she isn't about to sit back and starve with dignity. I applaud that. I applaud her for going out and doing a man's job, and I was made at the rest of Atlanta when it brought their wrath down on her. But I find her despicable once again in these chapters.

Then I have to wonder why do I really like Rhett? He is a terrible person. He did a terrible thing during the war, the same kind of terrible things that happened during WWII, profiteers are literally the scum of the Earth. He is cruel, and kind of an ass, but at least it seems he is equally so to everyone, not just women... but then he kills a black man for being flippant? He is an enigma, and I think it says something that other than Melly, I find him the most redeemable character in the book.

Yes, Scarlett's finally showing some conscience was rather nice, like she was finally having some redeeming qualities. Then Rhett showed up and talked her out of it. What he said was true, but it didn't make her any less culpable. I do enjoy their relationship at this point, as I for one understand the difference between being married to someone who you can be completely honest and open with, and someone that just never really gets you. She has a freedom with Rhett that she has never known before. And it's enough to break your heart how he obviously pines to have her love him, even though he can't bring himself to admit it. I wonder if she's even capable of loving him, or if she can only have affection for him, even passion at times.

I do miss Tara!

I agree with you all and I am also bummed because I want Rhett to get what he wants but we know it's just not going to happen.

By the time she figures it out it will be too late. It's her fatal flaw.