Determination Quote by Margaret Mitchell
““But there was a difference in their hardness and hers and just what the difference was, she could not, for the moment, tell. Perhaps it was that there was nothing she would not do, and there were so many things these people would rather die than do. Perhaps it was that they were without hope but still smiling at life, bowing gracefully and passing it by. And this Scarlett could not do. She could not ignore life. She had to live it and it was too brutal, too hostile, for her even to try to gloss over its harshness with a smile. Of the sweetness and courage and unyielding pride of her friends, Scarlett saw nothing. She saw only a silly stiff-neckedness which observed facts but smiled and refused to look them in the face.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Gone with the Wind, 1936
Scarlett struggles with a harsh reality that she cannot ignore, feeling forced to confront life’s brutality despite others’ resigned smiles.
In simple terms: Scarlett cannot ignore life's harshness.
Key Takeaway
Face reality despite comforting smiles.
Themes
conflict
identity
resilience
Mood
somber
introspective
Type
literary
character analysis
When to use this quote
- war‑torn South
- personal loss
- social gatherings
Key Concepts
existential dread
social expectation
Questions to Reflect On
- What does Scarlett’s refusal to smile reveal about her values?
- Can confronting harshness be empowering?
A Different Perspective
The quote may romanticize suffering, overlooking healthy coping.
