Margaret Mitchell: biography, quotes, photos, works

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Margaret Mitchell - of course, this name is familiar to many. What comes to your mind when you hear it? Many will say: "The famous writer from America, the author of Gone with the Wind." And they will be right. Do you know how many novels Margaret Mitchell wrote? Do you know the unique fate of this woman? But there is so much to tell about her…

The world-famous novel "Gone with the Wind" was first published in 1936. It has been translated into many languages and has gone through over 100 editions. To this day, this novel remains a global bestseller. He radically changed the life of Margaret Mitchell. You will find her photo and biography in this article.

M Mitchell Family

Margaret was born on the threshold of the 20th century - November 8, 1900. She was born in the US state of Georgia, in the city of Atlanta. Her parents were quite we althy. In the family, the girl was the second child. Margaret's older brother (born 1896) was named Stephen (Stevens). Note that Margaret's ancestors (asno wonder) were not Native Americans. Ancestors on the father's side moved from Ireland to the United States, and on the mother's side - from France. During the Civil War, which lasted from 1861 to 1865, both grandfathers of the future writer participated in the battles on the side of the southerners.

Father influence

Peggy's father (that was the name of Margaret in her childhood, and later - close friends) was a famous lawyer in his city, specialized in real estate. The family belonged to high society. Eugene Mitchell, its head, dreamed of becoming a writer in his youth, but this dream did not come true for unknown reasons. He was an excellent storyteller, an educated man, he presided over the historical society of the city. What did he say to his children? Of course, about the past war, about which he told them many stories.

Mother's influence

Mother Margaret (her name was Maria Isabella) was an educated, purposeful woman and even outstanding for her time. She was among the founders of the movement that fought for women's suffrage, as well as the Association of Catholics. Maria Isabella tried to instill good taste in her daughter.

Passion for literature, behavior of young Margaret

Little Margaret became interested in literature in elementary school. She began composing short plays for the school theater. Peggy was fond of love and adventure novels. And at the age of 12, she met with cinema. The girl studied mediocrely, especially mathematics was not easy for her. It is known that Margaret behaved likeboy. She loved horse riding, climbed fences and trees. However, at the same time, she was an excellent dancer and knew ballroom etiquette.

After graduating from high school, Margaret Mitchell continued her studies at the Seminary. Washington, as well as at Northampton College, located in Massachusetts.

Death of mother and fiance

Margaret's mother died in 1918 from an influenza epidemic. The girl had to return to Atlanta. Then, in 1918, her fiancé, Lieutenant Henry Clifford, died in France in the Battle of the Meuse River.

Margaret - mistress of the estate

Margaret took over the duties and cares of the mistress of the estate. For several years she was engaged exclusively in his affairs. This circumstance, however, is not combined with the impudent character of Margaret Mitchell. Her biography of that time was devoid of harmony with the inner world. This situation weighed heavily on the girl. Mitchell, years later, would describe his brashness and propensity for bold deeds in the person of Scarlett, the protagonist of his only novel. She will say about her that she is "smart like a man", but as a woman she is completely devoid of this quality.

Meet John Marsh and unexpected marriage

The girl met in 1921 with a responsible and reserved young man named John Marsh. Margaret's friends and family were convinced that the couple would get married. There was also an acquaintance with the parents, the day of the wedding was appointed. However, something inexplicable happened that left everyone in amazement. On September 2, 1922, Margaret leftmarried to the loser Red Upshaw, who was engaged in illegal supplies of alcohol. The married life of this couple was unbearable. Margaret suffered beatings and insults all the time. She was brought out of a severe depression by the support and love of John Marsh. This man forgot about his jealousy. He managed to discard all grievances and help Margaret take place as a person in this world.

Divorce and remarriage

Mitchell divorced her husband in 1925 and married Marsh. The newlyweds felt happy. Finally they found each other. It was John who convinced his wife to take up the pen. The girl began to write not for success and not for the public, but out of a desire to understand herself, for the sake of her own inner balance.

The fact is that Margaret was a housewife and read a lot, while she was away. However, for such an active nature, reading alone was not enough. She got depressed. Therefore, John Marsh came up with a way to make his wife's life richer and more interesting. He gave her a typewriter in 1926, congratulating the girl on the beginning of her writing career. Margaret liked the gift, and she began to sit for hours over this chirping machine, from which she extracted lines with stories from the recent US past - the war of the North and South, in which her ancestors participated.

Creating a novel

John, returning from work, carefully read what his wife had written during the day. He worked as an editor in a newspaper, so he could tell what was wrong. After that, the couple discussed new plot twists. Together they made amendments to the text, and also finalized the chapters of the work. John Marsh turned out to be a brilliant adviser and a good editor. He found the literature needed for the novel, carefully delving into the details of the era described in the book.

By December 1932 the book was finished. However, it was being finalized even before July 1935, since the editor of Macmillan persuaded the girl to publish her novel. Its preparation for publication began, separate episodes began to be collected together. The novel was named after the poem "Gone with the Wind" by Ernest Dawson, a well-known work at the time.

Gone with the Wind's huge success

The success of Margaret Mitchell's work was enormous. The novel, published by the publishing house, has become a real event in US literature. In 1936 he received the Pulitzer Prize, the most prestigious in this country. Margaret Mitchell, according to many critics, managed to recreate the American dream in her work. The novel became a symbol of the citizen of America, a model of his behavior. Contemporaries compared the characters of the book with the heroes of ancient legends. During the war years, men were usually brought up in the spirit of democratic individualism and enterprise, and women wore Scarlett's hair and clothes. Even the light industry in America quickly reacted to the popularity of the new novel: Scarlett-style gloves, hats and dresses appeared in boutiques and stores. Producer David Selznick, very famous in America, has been writing the script for the film for more than four years."Gone with the Wind".

Screening of the novel

The film adaptation of the novel began in 1939. Margaret categorically refused to act in this film. However, she was literally inundated with verbal requests and letters, in which she asked to help in creating the picture and to attach one of her relatives or at least acquaintances to the shooting. Mitchell did not even want to go to the premiere of the film. The burden of fame turned out to be too heavy for this woman. She understood that her work had become a world heritage. However, Margaret did not want strangers to interfere in the life of her family and her personal life.

Unexpected popularity

This is not surprising, because recognition and fame fell on Margaret Mitchell quite unexpectedly. Her biography became the property of the whole country. Her popularity in society was enormous. Mitchell began to be invited to American educational institutions to lecture. She was photographed, she was interviewed … For many years, the story of Margaret Mitchell was of no interest to anyone. She lived a measured, quiet life with her husband, and now she suddenly found herself in front of the whole country. March tried in every possible way to protect his wife from pesky journalists. He took over all correspondence with publishers, and also managed the finances.

Pay tribute to John Marsh

After getting acquainted with the history of the creation of this wonderful novel, we can say with full confidence that John Marsh is a vivid example of how a real man, without a moment's hesitation, conveyedbeloved woman his priority approval in the family. At the cost of his career, John created an almost ideal environment for Margaret to realize her talent. Mitchell herself, who dedicated her novel to D. R. M., could not help but appreciate the huge role of her husband.

How Margaret Mitchell died

The writer died in Atlanta, her hometown, on August 16, 1949. She died from injuries she had received a few days earlier in a traffic accident. But how did this tragic event happen? Let's talk about him.

In 1949, on September 11, Mitchell went to the cinema with her husband. The couple walked slowly along Peach Street, which Margaret loved so much. Suddenly, at high speed, a taxi flew around the corner and hit Mitchell. The driver is said to have been drunk. Without regaining consciousness, on August 16, Margaret died. She was buried at the Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta. John Marsh lived for another three years after her death.

Relevance of the work

There is nothing dearer and closer to a person than a story that tells about himself. Perhaps that is why the work "Gone with the Wind" will never lose its relevance. It will be considered a classic of world literature for many years to come.

Margaret Mitchell lived a very bright and eventful life. A short biography introduces readers only to its main events. Her story is an example of what women can do in literature (as, indeed, in life) no less than men. And much more than many ofthem.

Margaret Mitchell quotes

And in conclusion, here are a few statements by M. Mitchell. All of them are from her wonderful work:

• "I won't think about it today, I'll think about it tomorrow".
• "It's scary when a woman can't cry."
• "Toughness either cuts people or breaks them."