SSR Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Summary:

 The hospital holds a fundraising bazaar, but as a widow in mourning Scarlett cannot attend without breaching decorum. Unlike the other widows, she thinks it unfair that she works like a “field hand” to prepare for the bazaar but cannot attend. At the last moment, Scarlett and Melanie are called in to work at a booth. At the bazaar, Scarlett is shocked by her own lack of patriotism during the speeches about the glorious Confederate cause. She longs to dance. Rhett Butler, now a famous blockade-runner for the South, appears and teases her about her marriage to Charles. Dr. Meade, Atlanta’s foremost citizen, sends around a collection basket to encourage women to donate their jewelry. Scarlett donates her hated wedding ring. Melanie mistakes Scarlett’s action for courage and throws her own wedding ring into the basket. Dr. Meade scandalously proposes that gentlemen must bid to dance with the lady of their choice in order to raise money for the hospital. As a widow, Scarlett is strictly forbidden to dance, but Rhett bids a hundred and fifty dollars in gold on her. To the shock of the crowd, Scarlett accepts and hurries to the dance floor. Rhett tells Scarlett that he admires her beauty and spirit and that he knows the Cause bores her as it bores him. Scarlett pretends to be angry, but she knows that what he says is true.

Character analysis:

Rhett: In this chapter, we can see that the author is now involving Rhett as a very important character in the novel. He is starting to take action in trying to get close to Scarlett, and it seems to be working. He seems to be the type of person that when he wants something, he will move mountains to get what he wants. We can see that Rhett probably has some kind of interest towards Scarlett, considering all the actions he does and how he speaks to her.

Story movement:

For me, one big movement in this chapter that we all can see is Rhett's involvement in the story and how it includes Scarlett. Based on all his actions and what he says to her, I can infer that they will get closer as friends and probably could arise to start a relationship. I can infer that Rhett has a sneaky interest in Scarlett because of various reasons. One of those reasons could be that he doesn't mind if she is engaged to Charles, despite that, he talks to her and flirts with her in a indirect kind of way. Another reason might be because in chapter 7 I saw that Rhett bothered Scarlett because of her unladylike manners towards Ashley, and in this chapter he bothered her again teasing her about her engagement to Charles. And, in the end, he complimented her saying that he admired her beauty and spirit. 

Themes:

A theme for this chapter could be affection and desire, as everything that is happening between Scarlett and Charles, and Scarlett and Rhett. Charles greatly desires to be Scarlett's wife, and I can see affection between Rhett and Scarlett based on the events of this chapter.

Thoughts and opinions:

In my opinion, this chapter was really interesting. I like how Rhett delivers himself to Scarlett and his behavior towards her. I also like the fact that I get to know Scarlett a little more every chapter, and how her personality is.