Gone With the Wind 401-500

Scarlett gets back to Tara to find that it has not been burned down in all the fighting. Her father tells her that her mother, Ellen, has died of sickness. Her sisters are still sick, but they’re getting better. Her father, Gerald, is starting to lose his mind since Ellen died. He sometimes forgets that she’s dead, and he often just seems to think that she’s in the other room. Scarlett also learns that the reason the Yankees didn’t burn down Tara was because they used it as a headquarters. Scarlett is forced to grow up a lot as she has to take care of her own child, Melanie and her child, her father, and the few slaves that stayed at Tara. She goes to check out other plantations, and sees that many of the neighboring plantations have burned down. One day, a Yankee comes in to Tara to steal things, and Scarlett shoots and kills him. Melanie helps her in getting rid of the body, but first they steal all the money and food he had on him. He also came in on a horse. With food, money, and a horse, Scarlett finally feels like the worst might be over. Scarlett discovers that the Fontaine Plantation is still standing and has people living there. She goes to talk to them, and they give her half of their food to help her in taking care of everyone. A whole bunch of Yankees come to Tara to loot it. Scarlett sends everyone else away to protect themselves, but she stays at Tara and keeps Melanie’s baby with her. She will not let the Yankees take it without a fight. When they Yankees get there, they try to burn it down and run out. Melanie and Scarlett successfully put out the fire, and for the first time, Scarlett is starting to hate Melanie a little less and have more respect for her.