Scarlett is the story’s protagonist and subject of the bildungsroman structure that sees her character through a journey of loss, growth, and maturity. When the story begins, Scarlett is the 16-year-old eldest daughter of a wealthy plantation owner in antebellum Georgia, reflecting the prototypical Southern Belle archetype. While the author makes a point of saying that she is not beautiful, she captivates men. Her green eyes are her most distinctive feature. Scarlett’s temperament is headstrong and selfish, and grows to resist social conventions that do not suit her motivations or interests. Although she initially appears as a frivolous coquette, she proves her courage and determination once the Civil War starts. Scarlett manages to get herself and those who depend on her safely out of harm’s way. When much of her plantation is destroyed by the Yankees, Scarlett takes charge of the operation and finds a way to survive.

To the chagrin of the Old Guard social elite who surround her, Scarlett’s business skills and survival instincts both increase with time. She finds herself wealthy after the war, setting her in stark contrast to the now-impoverished elite.