Abstract：Margaret Mitchell is a famous American woman writer. She won the Pulitzer Prize in 1937 and the New York Southern Association Gold Medal in 1939. Gone with the Wind was published in 1936 and is considered as one of the most classic masterpieces of love. In this novel, the author uses the love story of the heroine as the main thread, expressing her understanding of love, She depicts the life of the southern Americans before and after the civil war. This thesis intends to analyze how the description of clothing has played a part in the characterization in the novel.  The description of clothing can indicate character traits, social status and living circumstances.

    The thesis is made up of four chapters. Chapter one introduces Margaret Mitchell and Gone with the Wind and previous studies of the novel. Chapter two focuses on analyzing the clothing styles during the American Civil War and Scarlett’s awareness of clothing fashion. Chapter three analyzes the role of the description of clothing in characterization in Gone with the Wind. Chapter four is the conclusion, which mainly summarizes the main points of the whole thesis. 

Keywords:   Margaret Mitchell  Gone with the Wind  Clothing Culture  Characterization

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Introduction to Margaret Mitchell-1

1.2 Introduction to Gone with the Wind-1

1.3 Literaure Review.2

Chapter Two Clothing Culture.4

2.1 Overview of Clothing Culture-.4

2.2 Scarlett's Awareness of Clothing Fashion.6

Chapter Three Role of Clothing in Characterization in Gone with the Wind-.6

3.1 Clothing Indicating Character Traits-6

3.3.1 Vainglorious and Brave Scarlett in Green Skirts-6

3.1.2 Showy Rhett in Glamorous and Fancy Suits8

3.2 Clothing Indicating Social Status8

3.2.1 Ashley, An Image of a Gentleman9

    3.2.2 Ellen, An Image of a Lady9

    3.2.3 Bell Watling, an Image of a Prostitute10

3.3 Clothing Indicating Characters' Circumstances.10

    3.3.1 Kathleen, a Withered Lady11

    3.3.2 Military Uniforms——the Failure of the South.11

Chapter Four Conclusion13

References.14