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The supremely sexy Viviene Leigh, as many of us know, forever resides as Hollywood royalty for her portrayal of "Scarlet O'Hara" in Victor Fleming's film adaptation of Gone with the Wind. In contrast, however, the very first line of the novel, by Margaret Mitchell, is this: "Scarlet O'Hara was not beautiful, but men seldom realized it when caught by her charm as the Tarleton twins were." If you're familiar with either the book or the movie, you may remember the Tarleton twins as a pair of handsome young men who dote on Scarlet at a barbecue, and then participate in a scuffle over who will have the privilege to fetch her dessert.

During my stand in the RPW community, I've often noticed members calling their looks into question, and asking whether they'll ever be able to find a quality captain with their allegedly subpar beauty. I think the point Mitchell is trying to make with Scarlet's example (that she felt was important enough to devote the opening lines of her 1,037-page epic to) is that beauty is no substitute for charm, and charm is the more powerful of the two.

Well, what is "charm," really? It is the alluring manner that radiates your personality's feminine nature. It's your way of smiling, putting others at ease, and thus being sought-after company. Despite Scarlet not being beautiful, as the novel states, she was flouncy and flirtatious, and her quick wit was fun, well-placed and intoxicating. And she had high class young men falling all over her as a result.

Be careful not to spin this narrative with a 3rd wave feminist perspective by using it to validate entitlement, or the idea men should be lucky to have you just because you're charming. Mitchell also points out that Scarlet had a 17-inch waist, mind you, and she dressed according to 1860s, rich Southern belle aesthetics, at least in the beginning of the story. It isn't that looks are unimportant, it's just that who you are and how you carry yourself is ultimately more important when it comes down to attracting a mate. Do what you can with your looks, and then develop yourself elsewhere and you'll be fine. You might even make a killing with all your options, like Scarlet, and hopefully you'll be wise enough to pick from them rather than chase an engaged dude, unlike Scarlet ;)


[–]CrazyHorseInvincibleModerator[M] [score hidden] stickied comment (0 children) | Copy Link

I'm going to follow the principle we use in TRP on this one:

No examples from fiction or lyrics.

Fiction, pop songs, daytime television freakshows, and reality tv do not present useful examples of typical human behaviour, and thus cannot be learned from.

Discussion of overarching popular culture themes, however, is on-topic and makes for an interesting analysis of the shifts in cultural thinking.

Use of fiction or other controlled narratives (reality tv, etc) should only be used as an example of the author's psychology, not the character's.

[–]luxury_liner22 points23 points  (1 child) | Copy Link

In the book though, she’s extremely mean to just about everyone around her, and she relies on her reputation as a charming beauty to manipulate others and play with the emotions and fortunes of several men.

Rhett, a literal Captain, sees through her facade to the mean-spirited brat she really is, and rejects her several times. She learns nothing. Because she won’t humble herself and insists on playing games with him, she ultimately loses him and he walks away.

[–]Theendisnearornot0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

Doesn’t he pursue her a little because he does see through the facade? He can see himself in her, but she won’t admit it (because she can’t see herself very clearly). But then he doesn’t play her games (like at the end.. “frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn”). Sorry, it’s been a long time since I read that book... such a good one though :)

[–]catipillar12 points13 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

Scarlet's character aside, your points on charm are great reminders. You needn't be a full blown beauty to behave with elegance, grace, wit, feminine joy and class...and often, these characteristics have the ability to make you more attractive then the beauty who may be lacking substance or personality. Thanks. :-)

[–]Kara__El4 Stars4 points5 points  (7 children) | Copy Link

Scarlett might be a good role model in resilience and appearance, but aside from that, she's a selfish asshole. The main reason Rhett likes her is that he admires her self-serving nature. Except for her parents, the only person she loves is Ashley and even then, it's just a version of his character she's crafted, an ideal she ignores everyone to chase. I love the book, but Scarlett is a dick through most of it. Though I do agree that charm and poise go a long way, I don't think Scarlett is the role model we've made her out to be. Melanie Hamilton was much more admirable.

[–]peacocktoast[S] 5 points6 points  (6 children) | Copy Link

Sure. The point is, physical attractiveness is not the end-all, be-all for attracting men. There's a lot more to an alluring vibe than conventional beauty standards.

[–]Hammocknapping4 points5 points  (5 children) | Copy Link

Attractiveness is the end all be all for attracting men. Once you’ve attracted a man, that’s when personality comes into play.

[–]Kara__El4 Stars1 point2 points  (2 children) | Copy Link

Exactly... and Scarlett was generally unable to keep a man or even a friend. Melanie, however, had everyone she ever met devoted to her.

[–]peacocktoast[S] 2 points3 points  (1 child) | Copy Link

I'm sure we can all agree that Melanie is a better role model, and I've probably done a shoddy job of communicating my point. RPW is inundated with girls lamenting their looks and wondering if its "over" for them in terms of being noticed and asked on dates. And really, that shouldn't be a concern that weighs so heavily on their hearts. In my opinion, they should make the most of their looks, and recall that some of literature's most famous "beauty icons" have shined and stood the test of time for assets other than their looks, ironically.

[–]Kara__El4 Stars1 point2 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

I agree that charm can detract from a big nose or a weak chin or a BMI of 26 (insert gasp here)... but nothing makes up for being a bitch. Your point is valid. I just think we often mention Scarlett O'Hara as a role model that she isn't. I'm just disagreeing with the example.

[–]peacocktoast[S] -1 points0 points  (1 child) | Copy Link

Physical attractiveness, though? Surely it plays a part, but if you're standing there looking like a sour biotch, your perfect hourglass figure and fresh blowout might not be worth as much. I'm standing by the notion that there's more to being attractive than the way you look.

[–]Hammocknapping-2 points-1 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

In the moment a guy decides to approach you (or swipe right (Is it right? I’ve never used online dating.)) all he cares about is how physically attractive you are. He doesn’t know anything else about you except for how you look. Looking like a “sour biotch” is, well, how you look and how physically attractive you are.

You can kill a man, but you can't kill an idea.

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