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Originally Posted by MelC
It raises an interesting question...who is to blame for Rhett and Scarlett's failure to make the marriage work?
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I'd say the blame is spread out pretty evenly. Rhett loved her for years, but masked it with an air on nonchalance and snide remarks for fear of how Scarlett would react to the knowledge. Meanwhile, Scarlett clung to her fantasy version of Melanie's husband and longed for the day when Ashley would be hers.
Had the timing of the Butler's emotions been different, their marriage might have been very strong indeed; but the feelings they had for each other were never in sync. By the time Scarlet realized that Rhett was the man she truly loved, her previous behavior and attitude had demolished his long-suffering love for her.
Still, I wonder. They never mentioned divorce, and although separated, Rhett said he would return home frequently enough to allow her to keep up appearances for the neighbors, and Scarlett swore that she would make him love her once again.
If Mitchell had written a few more chapters, would we have eventually seen the Butlers reunited and finally happy?
The lady or the tiger? Which outcome might have played out eventually? Perhaps the ending wasn't as sad as it's been long perceived.