Part V

Chapter XLVIII

Summary

Scarlett and Rhett spend their honeymoon in New Orleans where Rhett indulges her in extravagances of every kind. He laughs when she admires his friends, for his New Orleans associates are carpetbaggers and crooks, and it is typical of Scarlett to be indiscriminate in the people she thinks she would like for friends. They have a loversÂ’ quarrel one night when Rhett catches her fantasizing that she is in AshleyÂ’s arms instead of his. He leaves and returns drunk, and they are cold to each other the next day. However, that night she has her recurring nightmare in which she dreams she and all her family are hungry again.

In the dream, she runs into a mist, knowing that she would be safe if only she could find who or what is in the mist. She never can, and she awakes terrified and sweating. Rhett holds her in his arms and promises she will never be hungry or unsafe so long as he is around. They discuss the building of their own house. Rhett would like a Creole styled house or even a colonial one with pillars, but Scarlett wants a Swiss chalet with scroll designs and lavish furnishings. Rhett is unable to convince her that no amount of money-if it is believed to be ill-gotten-will bring the citizens of the old South to the sumptuous parties she is dreaming of.

Notes

Rhett and Scarlett are a great deal alike in many ways. They are both intelligent, ruthless, and driven to get what they want. However, Rhett is different in that he knows that his decisions made him an outcast. Although he is not selfish with his ill-gotten gains, he is aware of the price he paid to get them, and he accepts the cost without complaint. Scarlett, however, still thinks that money can buy everything, including friendship and social status.

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