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Gone with the Wind - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.
— Rhett Butler
Context:
At the very end of the film, after Melanie's death, Scarlett has a moment of revelation and realizes she loves Rhett. She begs him not to leave her, asking, "Where shall I go? What shall I do?" He delivers this line with cold finality before walking out into the mist, leaving her alone.
Meaning:
This is Rhett's final, iconic rejection of Scarlett. It signifies the complete death of his love for her, worn away by years of her selfishness and obsession with Ashley. It represents the ultimate consequence of Scarlett's actions and the moment she realizes she has lost everything that truly matters. The line was shocking for its time and required special approval from censors.
After all, tomorrow is another day.
— Scarlett O'Hara
Context:
After Rhett leaves her, a devastated Scarlett collapses on the stairs. As she weeps, she remembers the voices of her father and Ashley speaking of Tara. Her despair turns to resolve, and she stands up, delivering this line with renewed determination as she decides to return to Tara to think of a way to win Rhett back.
Meaning:
This is Scarlett's personal mantra and the film's final line. It encapsulates her defining characteristic: her relentless optimism and her ability to survive by postponing difficult emotions. It represents the indomitable human spirit and the hope for a fresh start, no matter how dire the present circumstances. It is her coping mechanism and the source of her resilience.
As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again!
— Scarlett O'Hara
Context:
At the end of the film's first half, Scarlett has returned to a ruined Tara. Starving, she pulls a radish from the desolate garden and eats it, only to vomit. In a moment of absolute desperation and defiance, she raises a fist to the sky and makes this oath against the backdrop of a dramatic sunset.
Meaning:
This powerful vow marks the turning point in Scarlett's character. It is the moment the pampered belle dies and the hardened survivor is born. It becomes her life's driving motivation, justifying her subsequent ruthless and pragmatic actions as she claws her way back from poverty. It is the thematic centerpiece of her entire arc.
Land is the only thing in the world worth workin' for, worth fightin' for, worth dyin' for, because it's the only thing that lasts.
— Gerald O'Hara
Context:
In the opening scenes of the film, Scarlett is heartbroken over Ashley's engagement to Melanie. Her father, Gerald, tries to comfort her by instilling in her the importance of their land, Tara, which he believes is a legacy more valuable and lasting than any romantic pursuit.
Meaning:
This line establishes the foundational theme of the permanence and importance of the land, specifically Tara. It foreshadows the central role Tara will play in Scarlett's survival and identity. While Scarlett initially doesn't understand its meaning, this philosophy ultimately becomes her final source of hope and strength.