Gerald O'Hara is one of my favorite male characters in all of literature. Imagine a drunk leprechaun stuck in the body of an affluent Southern gentleman.
Throughout the novel, Margarett Mitchell uses Gerald as a foil to Scarlett's esteemed mother, Ellen O'Hara. Their characters are completely different despite being married to each other. We'll get to Ellen in Blog with the Wind Day 3.
Mr. O'Hara unfortunately gave most of his vices to his daughter. Scarlett's temper, shrewedness and penchant for bourbon all came from her father. His more admirable qualities, such as love for children, were passed on to Scarlett's sisters.
His character provides all sorts of comedy at the beginning of the novel and we slowly watch his descent into madness after the death of his beloved Mrs. O'Hara. It's a fun ride to watch the way Mitchell develops his character throughout the story ultimately leadng to his demise. I'd like to do something similar with That Southern Wedding.
For now, here is my favorite quote about Gerald O'Hara.
“There was no need for him to acquire a good head for whiskey. He had been born with one.”
Perhaps you, reader, know a gentleman who has also been with a good head for whiskey.
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