Gone with the Wind is written by a women from the 20th century. It is not at all meant to be held up to historical accuracy, however it is pretty sharp on conjuring up the time but as far as the plight of the slaves I don’t think she delved into that much. It was more a romance focus.
‘Gone with the Wind’ was published in 1936 and the Civil War ended in 1865. That’s 71 years.
WWII ended 75 years ago.
We’re getting old.
Margaret Mitchell was born in 1900, her mother in 1872 and her father in 1866.
She was not that far removed from the Antebellum South. Her grandparents lived through the War, just as the grandparents of my grandparents did.
When I told my grandmother that my bride-to-be "was a Yankee", there was a long silence. Finally, she said, "Well, if you love her, I guess it's all right". My grandmother had grown up hearing stories of Sherman's army from her grandparents.
Margaret Mitchell was 4 years younger than my grandmother.
First off, Margaret Mitchell was a conservative. Secondly, she did MASSIVE research for her book, starting in 1926. It took her ten years to research and write. In that age before the internet, this meant trips to libraries far flung, studying weather patterns and farming statistics — all to make her novel as realistic as possible. Her hands were blistered from carrying so many books for so long (maybe that’s where she got the idea about Scarlett’s workaday hands?).
It’s a terrific read. Selznick had a lot to work with. Everyone involved understood Mitchell’s achievement surpassed even the film. Clark Gable dedicated the premiere in Atlanta to Mitchell.