# Gone with the Wind

> 1936 novel by Margaret Mitchell

**Wikidata**: [Q2870](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2870)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gone_with_the_Wind_(novel))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gone-with-the-wind-q2870

## Summary
*Gone with the Wind* is a 1936 novel by Margaret Mitchell, set during the American Civil War and Reconstruction era. It became one of the best-selling novels in history, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and shaping the cultural narrative of the American South. The novel’s portrayal of the antebellum South and its characters, particularly Scarlett O’Hara, remains a defining work of 20th-century American literature.

## Key Facts
- **Author**: Margaret Mitchell (1900–1949)
- **Publication Date**: June 30, 1936
- **Genre**: Historical fiction, Southern Gothic
- **Awards**: Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (1937)
- **Film Adaptation**: 1939 Academy Award-winning film starring Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **ISBN**: 978-0-02-62326-5 (first edition)
- **Publisher**: Macmillan Publishers
- **Initial Sales**: Over one million copies within six months of publication
- **Main Character**: Scarlett O’Hara, a strong-willed Southern belle
- **Setting**: Atlanta, Georgia, during the Civil War and Reconstruction
- **Themes**: Survival, love, loss, and the complexities of the Old South
- **Literary Significance**: One of the most celebrated and controversial works of American literature
- **Wikidata ID**: Q7320461
- **Open Library ID**: OL267933W
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID**: /m/03dj5
- **Pulitzer Prize**: Won in 1937 for Fiction
- **Le Monde's 100 Books of the Century**: Included in the list
- **Followed By**: *Scarlett* (1991) by Alexandra Ripley
- **Instance Of**: Literary work, Historical fiction
- **Genre**: Epic, Southern Gothic
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Publication Date**: June 30, 1936
- **Sitelink Count**: 63 (Wikipedia links)

## FAQs
**Who wrote *Gone with the Wind* and when was it published?**
*Gone with the Wind* was written by Margaret Mitchell and published on June 30, 1936. It became an instant bestseller and won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1937.

**What is the novel about?**
The novel follows the life of Scarlett O’Hara, a strong-willed Southern belle, during the American Civil War and Reconstruction era. It explores themes of survival, love, and the complexities of the Old South.

**Why is *Gone with the Wind* significant?**
The novel is significant for its portrayal of the American South, its cultural impact, and its adaptation into a highly successful film. It remains a defining work of 20th-century American literature.

**What awards did *Gone with the Wind* win?**
The novel won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1937 and was included in *Le Monde's 100 Books of the Century*.

**Who are the main characters in the novel?**
The main characters include Scarlett O’Hara, Rhett Butler, Melanie Wilkes, and Ashley Wilkes, among others.

**What is the setting of the novel?**
The novel is primarily set in Atlanta, Georgia, during the Civil War and Reconstruction era.

**How was *Gone with the Wind* adapted into a film?**
The novel was adapted into a 1939 film starring Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara and Clark Gable as Rhett Butler. The film won multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

**What themes does the novel explore?**
The novel explores themes of survival, love, loss, and the complexities of the Old South, including slavery and Reconstruction.

**Is *Gone with the Wind* considered controversial?**
Yes, the novel has been criticized for its romanticization of the antebellum South and its portrayal of slavery. However, it remains a landmark in American literature.

**What is the legacy of *Gone with the Wind*?**
The novel’s legacy includes its influence on Southern literature, its cultural impact, and its enduring popularity in adaptations and reinterpretations.

## Why It Matters
*Gone with the Wind* is a cornerstone of American literature, shaping the cultural narrative of the American South and influencing generations of writers and filmmakers. Its portrayal of the Civil War and Reconstruction era resonated deeply with readers, making it one of the best-selling novels in history. The novel’s themes of survival, love, and loss continue to be studied and debated, reflecting the complexities of the Old South. Despite its controversial aspects, *Gone with the Wind* remains a defining work of 20th-century fiction, with its film adaptation becoming a cinematic milestone. The novel’s impact on literature, film, and cultural memory ensures its lasting significance.

## Notable For
- **Best-Selling Novel**: One of the best-selling novels in history, with over one million copies sold within six months of publication.
- **Pulitzer Prize Winner**: Won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1937, recognizing its literary significance.
- **Academy Award-Winning Film**: Adapted into a 1939 film that won multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
- **Cultural Phenomenon**: Shaped the portrayal of the American South in literature and film, influencing Southern Gothic narratives.
- **Southern Gothic Literature**: A defining work of Southern Gothic literature, exploring the complexities of the Old South.
- **Inclusion in *Le Monde's 100 Books of the Century***: Recognized as one of the most influential books of the 20th century.
- **Enduring Legacy**: Continues to be studied and adapted, ensuring its place in literary and cultural history.
- **Controversial Depictions**: Criticized for its romanticization of slavery and the antebellum South, yet remains a landmark in American literature.
- **Iconic Characters**: Features some of the most memorable characters in American fiction, including Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler.
- **Historical Significance**: Provides a historical perspective on the American Civil War and Reconstruction era.

## Body
### Overview
*Gone with the Wind* is a 1936 novel by Margaret Mitchell, set during the American Civil War and Reconstruction era. The novel follows the life of Scarlett O’Hara, a strong-willed Southern belle, and her relationships with Rhett Butler, Melanie Wilkes, and Ashley Wilkes. The story explores themes of survival, love, and the complexities of the Old South, including slavery and Reconstruction.

### Author and Publication
- **Author**: Margaret Mitchell (1900–1949), an American novelist and journalist.
- **Publication Date**: June 30, 1936, by Macmillan Publishers.
- **Initial Sales**: Over one million copies sold within six months of publication.
- **Awards**: Won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1937 and was included in *Le Monde's 100 Books of the Century*.

### Plot and Characters
- **Main Characters**: Scarlett O’Hara, Rhett Butler, Melanie Wilkes, and Ashley Wilkes.
- **Setting**: Atlanta, Georgia, during the Civil War and Reconstruction era.
- **Themes**: Survival, love, loss, and the complexities of the Old South.
- **Plot**: The novel follows Scarlett O’Hara’s life from childhood to adulthood, exploring her relationships and the impact of the Civil War and Reconstruction on her family and community.

### Film Adaptation
- **Film Release**: 1939, starring Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara and Clark Gable as Rhett Butler.
- **Awards**: Won multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
- **Impact**: Became a cinematic milestone and further cemented the novel’s cultural significance.

### Literary Significance
- **Genre**: Historical fiction, Southern Gothic.
- **Influence**: Shaped the portrayal of the American South in literature and film.
- **Legacy**: Continues to be studied and adapted, ensuring its place in literary and cultural history.
- **Controversy**: Criticized for its romanticization of slavery and the antebellum South, yet remains a landmark in American literature.

### Awards and Recognition
- **Pulitzer Prize**: Won in 1937 for Fiction.
- **Le Monde's 100 Books of the Century**: Included in the list.
- **Academy Awards**: The film adaptation won multiple awards, including Best Picture.

### Cultural Impact
- **Southern Literature**: A defining work of Southern Gothic literature.
- **Cultural Phenomenon**: Shaped the cultural narrative of the American South.
- **Enduring Popularity**: Continues to be studied and adapted, ensuring its lasting significance.

### Related Works
- **Followed By**: *Scarlett* (1991) by Alexandra Ripley.
- **Genre**: Epic, Southern Gothic.
- **Instance Of**: Literary work, Historical fiction.

### Identifiers and References
- **Wikidata ID**: Q7320461
- **Open Library ID**: OL267933W
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID**: /m/03dj5
- **ISBN**: 978-0-02-62326-5 (first edition)
- **Publisher**: Macmillan Publishers
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Sitelink Count**: 63 (Wikipedia links)

### Summary
*Gone with the Wind* is a 1936 novel by Margaret Mitchell, set during the American Civil War and Reconstruction era. It became one of the best-selling novels in history, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and shaping the cultural narrative of the American South. The novel’s portrayal of the antebellum South and its characters, particularly Scarlett O’Hara, remains a defining work of 20th-century American literature.

## References

1. [Novel - The Pulitzer Prizes](https://www.pulitzer.org/prize-winners-by-category/261)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell | Open Library](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL267933W/Gone_With_the_Wind?edition=key%3A/books/OL6343920M)
4. BBC Things