Though Margaret Mitchell never penned a sequel to her Pulitzer-winning novel (nor any other novel at all), plenty of her childhood writings have survived and been published in the years following her death. What did the author feel compelled to write about as a young girl and, later, journalist? Do any elements in these stories mimic Gone with the Wind?

Welcome to the first episode of GWTW Readalong, a new series in which I will analyze the book chronologically. Each episode will tackle a few chapters at a time. Feel free to read along with me and form your own takes!

In this episode, Scarlett finds out from the Tarletons that Ashley is going to marry Melanie, Scarlett chats with Gerald about Ashley's upcoming nuptials, Gerald buys Dilcey and Prissy from John Wilkes, we learn the history of Ellen and Gerald, the O'Haras have prayer time and Scarlett forms a plan to ensnare Ashley the next day at the barbecue.

On September 9, 1939, Gone with the Wind was first previewed in Riverside, California. Luckily for us, the audience's questionnaires have all been digitally archived for our perusal. This episode discusses the audience's initial reaction to the then-unfinished film, as well as various deleted scenes that have been uncovered over the years.