Margaret Mitchell: The Life of Gone with the Wind's Creator

Margaret Mitchell, the woman behind one of the most famous and cherished novels of all time, grew up in a time when America was facing great changes. Born on November 8, 1900, in Atlanta, Georgia, Mitchell was a product of the South’s history and culture. Her family’s background played a significant role in shaping her views on the world around her, ultimately leading her to write the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Gone with the Wind.

Early Life and Family History

Margaret Mitchell was born into a wealthy and prestigious family that had a significant impact on the city of Atlanta. Her father, Eugene Mitchell, was a successful attorney, and her mother, Maybelle Stephens Mitchell, was a suffragette and an advocate for women’s rights. Margaret was introduced to the world of literature at a young age, as her mother took the time to read her stories by authors such as Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare.

Margaret’s family had deep roots in the South and were directly connected to the Civil War. Her great-grandfather, Thomas Mitchell, was a Confederate soldier, and her great-great-grandfather, James Stephens, was a wealthy planter. These connections would later inspire her to write her famous novel.

The Making of a Writer

Margaret’s interest in writing began in her early childhood. As a young girl, she would write stories and plays for her friends and family to enjoy. Her love for writing continued into her teenage years, where she wrote for her high school newspaper.

Margaret attended Smith College in Massachusetts, but she returned home after her mother’s death in 1919. In 1922, Margaret married Red Upshaw, but the marriage ended in divorce after only four years. Soon after, she married John Marsh, a former suitor.

Mitchell’s love for writing continued, and she began a career as a journalist. She worked for the Atlanta Journal Sunday Magazine, where her husband also worked. During this time, she honed her writing skills and developed a unique storytelling voice that would later be showcased in her celebrated novel.

Gone with the Wind

In 1926, Margaret Mitchell began writing her most famous work, Gone with the Wind. The novel, set during the Civil War and Reconstruction, tells the story of Scarlett O’Hara, a headstrong and self-centered Southern belle who does whatever it takes to survive and prosper despite the challenges she faces.

The book was an immediate success upon its publication in 1936, skyrocketing Mitchell to fame. Gone with the Wind received the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1937 and has sold over 30 million copies worldwide.

The enduring popularity of the novel led to a highly successful film adaptation in 1939, directed by Victor Fleming and starring Vivien Leigh as Scarlett and Clark Gable as Rhett Butler. The movie won ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and remains a classic of American cinema.

Legacy and Controversy

Margaret Mitchell’s novel has been highly debated and criticized over the years, with many questioning its portrayal of race and the South’s “Lost Cause” mythology. However, Mitchell’s work remains a popular piece of American literature that showcases her remarkable storytelling abilities and provides a window into the changing landscape of the South during the 20th century.

Margaret Mitchell passed away on August 16, 1949, from injuries sustained after being struck by a car. She only published one novel in her lifetime, but her influence as a writer and the lasting impact of Gone with the Wind continue to shape the literary and cultural landscape.

Conclusion

Margaret Mitchell’s life was marked by many trials and triumphs, but her commitment to her craft and her love for storytelling ultimately left an indelible mark on American literature. The life of the woman behind Gone with the Wind stands as a testament to the power of storytelling and its ability to touch the hearts and minds of millions.