CHAPTER SUMMARIES WITH NOTES

Chapter 13

Summary

By 1863, Miss PittypatÂ’s home is the only one Rhett can enter. Dr. Meade took action late in 1862 to write a letter to the newspaper in which he maligned profiteering; although he did not mention Rhett by name, the meaning was obvious. This is followed by a series of rumor about Rhett having his own boats and buying up others as well, then selling the cargo at outlandish prices. Melanie continues to defend Rhett, saying he is as patriotic as anyone else, but just doesnÂ’t choose to show it. Scarlett, however, knows he is every bit the mercenary and suspects that most of the rumors about him are true.

One day he brings her a green bonnet, something not in keeping with the mourning black that she is still expected to wear. He threatens to take it from her if she does anything to change it and vows that he will continue to bring her gifts and that eventually he will demand something from her in return. She expects him to try to kiss her and immediately begins thinking about how she could toy with him if he should fall in love with her.

The day after the hat incident, Melanie comes home from the hospital in tears and with a guilty look on her face. Uncle Peter, the familyÂ’s black carriage driver, housekeeper, and caretaker saw her talking with the town madam, Belle Watling. Belle was trying to contribute to the work at the hospital, but Mrs. Elsing had refused to even talk to her. So she has given a handkerchief tied with money in it to Melanie. The two girls untie the handkerchief to count the money, and Scarlett sees RhettÂ’s initials on the corner. To Scarlett, the very idea that he has anything to do with Miss Watling proves that he couldnÂ’t be in love with her. She burns the handkerchief, wishing she could throw it in his face instead. Unfortunately, a lady could never let him know that she even realized such women existed.

Notes

We are given a sharp contrast between Melanie and Scarlett as well as some insight into the character of the "bad" woman of the town. Melanie is capable of recognizing the good in Belle even though she is terrified to be seen talking with her. Scarlett cares nothing about Belle, but is insanely jealous over Rhett's apparent association with her. At this point Scarlett still maintains an appearance of conforming to at least some of the social conventions.

The fact that Belle has to find a ruse to donate money to the "cause" is a reflection on the stuffy attitudes of the people. They are desperately in need of money but will refuse it if they know the source is from someone they disapprove of. They are incapable of seeing that beneath the occupation Belle has created for herself, there lies a heart of gold and a shrewd understanding of the people of her era.

Scarlett herself needs little excuse to stop wearing black, but is too blind and self-centered to see that Rhett brings her gifts because he is in love with her. In fact, when she does think about the possibility of love, it is only to ponder ways to manipulate it to her own advantage. This blind, cruel streak in her permeates everything she does and is enough to keep some readers from ever being wholly sympathetic toward her.

Chapter 14

Summary

The latter part of 1862 had been happy for Atlanta, as the Confederate forces had achieved several significant victories. By spring of 1863, the people are assuring themselves that it would be over with just one more victory. In July they receive news that Lee is marching into Pennsylvania, taking the battle to the enemies' own backyard. They are somewhat less elated, however, to hear that Lee has given orders that no private property will be touched, that looting will be punished by death and that the army will pay for whatever it needs, this in spite of the devastation the Yankees have left behind them in the southern states.

On July 3rd , Atlanta receives word of heavy fighting and casualties near Gettysburg. On the 5th they hear that Vicksburg has fallen, leaving most of the Mississippi River in the hands of the Yankees and cutting the Confederacy in two. Soon casualty lists start coming in. Ashley is safe, but many other families have lost husbands, sons and beaux. All three of the Tarleton boys have been slain. Rhett sees ScarlettÂ’s grief and for once offers genuine sympathy. He confides in her his own news that General Lee has retreated back into Maryland and thus must have lost in Pennsylvania.

Notes

The purpose of this chapter is primarily to update the information of the war and to begin the change of attitude among the people. As those gallant young men begin to appear on the casualty lists, the war itself must move from the realm of fantasy and romance into a state of realism, horror and loss.

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