Abstract:Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind receives great success from the public all along. Critics study Scarlett from different perspectives with different focuses. But, so far, few critics analyze Scarlett from feminist perspective with a focus on her growth process. What’s more, in the modern society, there are many women like Scarlett who do not want to be “Other” and seek independence and liberation. Therefore, this paper is to reinterpret the novel from a feminist perspective, analyzing women’s independence-seeking process through feminist analysis of Scarlett’s growth process.

This thesis is made up of five parts. Part One is about a general introduction to Mitchell’s life, the main ideas of Gone with the Wind, as well as literature review about this novel. Part Two is a brief introduction to the feminist theory. The third part focuses on analyzing the formation and immaturity of Scarlett’s feminine consciousness as well as the reasons that lead to her immaturity. The conclusion summarizes the whole thesis: When women meet with difficulties on the way of growth, they should know how to find social position. Only in this way can they become mature and successful and obtain equal position with men in the modern society.

Key words：Margaret Mitchell; Scarlett; Gone with the Wind; Feminine Consciousness 

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction.1 

1.1 ABrief Introduction to Margaret Mitchell.1 

1.2 The Main Ideas about Gone with the Wind2

2. Literature Review2

3. A Brief Introduction to the Feminist Theory3

3.1 The Definition of Feminism3 

3.2 A Brief Introduction to the History of Feminism4

4. An Analysis of Scarlett’s Feminine Consciousness.5

4.1 Scarlett’s Gradual Formation of Feminine Consciousness.5

4.2 The Immaturity of Scarlett’s feminine Consciousness.8

5. The Reasons for Scarlett’s Immature Feminine Consciousness.-.11

5.1 The Traditonal Constraints Held on Women.11

5.2 Her Character-12

5.3 Her Education12

5.4 Margaret Mitchell’s Limitation.13

6. Conclusion13

Works Cited.15