[FOR OVER 80 YEARS, THE WIND STILL PERSISTS]

Emerging within the classic literature tapestry set in Georgia and Atlanta, Southern United States, during the Civil War era and Reconstruction period, Scarlett O’Hara came to light as a delicate yet proud flower blooming among the masses within the pages of the timeless novel "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell. Scarlett starkly contrasts with the conventional perceptions of femininity of her era. She refuses to conform and defies societal mores of her time, rather, she embodies a breath of fresh air, a modern force willing to express herself, to live true to her thoughts and love aspirations, and above all, she has the nerve to rise and shatter the gender divide - that supposed unassailable stronghold of the contemporary society. 

Phá vỡ định kiến giới, phá bỏ rào cản – xây dựng một tiếng nói riêng, một tiếng nói mạnh mẽ nhưng cô độc… Scarlett O’Hara – một cô nàng sống trong thời phong kiến phương Tây, khi mà những định kiến ăn sâu vào tiềm thức bao thế hệ và chảy cùng dòng suy nghĩ suốt một chiều dài phát triển nhưng dù vậy thì đóa hoa mạnh mẽ ấy chưa từng một lần chịu nhún nhường trước những áp đặt, những khuôn khổ ấy. “Và nếu không được sung sướng thì đó cũng là số phận của nữ giới. Thế giới chỉ dành riêng cho đàn ông và đàn bà chỉ có việc chấp nhận nó. Đàn ông làm chủ sản nghiệp, và đàn bà quản trị sản nghiệp đó. Đàn ông hưởng hết công trạng của việc khai thác, và đàn bà có bổn phận khen ngợi sự khéo léo của đàn ông. Đàn ông gầm thét như bò rừng khi bị xóc dầm, còn đàn bà phải cắn răng không rên rỉ khi sanh nở vì sợ chồng lo lắng. Đàn ông ăn nói cộc cằn và hay say sưa. Đàn bà không được nói lấp tiếng và dìu người say lên giường mà không hề trách móc một lời. Đàn ông thô lỗ và hay nói thẳng. Đàn bà luôn luôn ân cần, cao quý và khoan dung” – đây chính là xã hội mà nàng phải hòa mình vào nếu không muốn bị gạt ra ngoài nhưng không, nàng không giống họ, nàng sống với những suy nghĩ của nàng, nàng chủ động với những gì nàng muốn và nàng khát khao được làm chủ cuộc đời. Đó như một tiếng nói hoàn toàn lạ lẫm, một luồng sinh khí mới mà có thể nếu không cẩn thận sẽ gây ra một cơn bão cuốn hết đi tất cả những gì nó có. Nàng khác biệt so với những phụ nữ miền Nam – những người luôn được xã hội thích xem như những sinh vật xinh xắn cần sự bảo vệ của đàn ông. Scarlett hiểu rằng nàng cũng chỉ đang tỏ ra là một con búp bê đầu rỗng và nàng căm thù cái sự “cần thiết” giả vờ ấy. Tại sao người phụ nữ luôn phải hy sinh mình cho những người đàn ông? Tại sao người phụ nữ phải dịu dàng, phải xinh đẹp, phải biết phép tắc, phải ngoan ngoãn, phải biết điều chỉ để lấy lòng đàn ông? Tại sao họ phải chấp nhận sống một cuộc đời mà biết rõ cái kết của mình là do người khác quyết định? Từ bao giờ mà số phận của chúng ta lại gắn liền với mức độ yêu thích của cánh mày râu? Scarlett của chúng ta thì không như vậy! Dù rằng biết mình cô độc, dù rằng biết mình khác với “những cô gái ấy” nhưng chưa từng vì thế mà sợ hãi, mà lùi bước vào bóng đêm mà luôn góp nhặt dũng khí để vươn mình hồi sinh, tỏa ra ánh sáng của riêng nàng – chỉ riêng nàng mà không phải một ai hết.

She always knows her own worth, knows what she needs and what she should do. She eschews the well-trodden paths, eschews imitation to garner affection, eschews confine to exist. She is aware that "women curse her behind her back but secretly envy her. Men feel offended and outraged by her audacious actions yet are willing to fight to death just to proffer her dessert." The value of a person never lies totally in 3-round measurements, nor in glamorous attire, nor in outward beauty but is affirmed through patience, unwavering will, resilient courage in the face of adversity, perseverance, and problem-solving ability in dire straits. Scarlett not once allows herself to give up in any circumstance, single-handedly rebuilding Tara from the ruins, from the faint breaths of post-war remnants. Surely, in those times, such deeds were at no time sanctioned for women to resolve single-handedly, she however, despite all criticisms, built an entire garden of her own. She constantly fights for her power and position in society, invariably striving to assert herself no less than any man, even surpassing many in the realm of commerce, restlessly pursuing what she desires in order to rise in a world where men often receive preferential treatment. Scarlett always challenges the conventions of a genteel woman. Thus, she is regarded with contempt by many, even so she never hesitates to hold her head high in the face of people’s reactions, her fervor is akin to a fire with countless aspirations, never swayed by the gusts of winds around her and will never let itself be extinguished because of others. A girl who understands herself thoroughly is also a girl whom few can touch, though a creation from nearly a century ago, the warmth of the blazing fire within her still leaves behind invaluable values ​​about thoughts, ideas, and impressions when daring to stand up to live her life, by her own ideals. 

The love tragedy of Scarlett's life - a blend of loss and anguish, yet also harbors hope for a brighter tomorrow…

Scarlett O'Hara, like many young women of her era, yearned for the true love of her life. Sadly, her romantic journey was painted with shades of sorrow. However, her intense love and unwavering resilience continue to serve as timeless inspirations for future generations. From her tender years, Scarlett's heart was acquainted with love, confessing her affection for Ashley, a love forever beyond her reach. Yet, amidst the throes of pain, she persisted in her pursuit of love, fully aware that she and Ashley could never be united. Scarlett's romantic endeavors were not mere blooms of roses; they were laden with profound emotions, heartache, and choices conflicting with her heart's desires. She wed not for genuine affection but for desire and folly. Nevertheless, through these perceived missteps, she gleaned invaluable lessons about love. Now, Scarlett recognizes her true love in Rhett Butler, who had been there all along. Although beguiled by his sophistication and valor, she failed to grasp Rhett's unconditional love until she lost everything. Rhett Butler, along with their young daughter, left Scarlett desolate. Upon the steps of their loveless home, she nearly collapsed. Tears fell like bitter drops, and in that moment, she realized she had forsaken her true love, a love that slipped away before she could turn back. Despite it all, she returned to Tara, witnessing life's myriad upheavals. She accepted reality and looked towards the future, buoyed by the hope that tomorrow would bring a fresh start. 

Though "Gone with the Wind" was penned nearly a century ago, Scarlett O'Hara's approach to love still resonates with contemporary women. She epitomizes a character of gentle fortitude, resolutely determined and passionately ablaze like a flickering flame. "Love is not about how much you say 'I love you,' but about how much you prove it's true" (Zane). Scarlett navigated an era where women were perceived as feeble, passive, and devoid of independent thought or action. Yet, she stood independent and resolute, fighting for her love by capturing Rhett Butler's heart, the man she genuinely loved. Despite the tale's denouement sans Rhett and Scarlett together, deep down, she clings to the belief that she can reclaim him. Scarlett did not wait for love; instead, she forged and seized the heart of her beloved. Despite enduring myriad losses and heartaches, Scarlett remained true to her heart, unafraid to articulate her sentiments. Whether for Ashley or Rhett, she never shied away from professing her love and demonstrating affection through attentive care. Scarlett harmonized emotion and reason in matters of the heart. After countless vicissitudes, with a loving heart, she finally recognized the value of sincere love and forgiveness. 

"Feeling pity for the fate of a girl, who is also a person,
How could she bear to leave her youthful spring halfway?
Would Mr. Moon ever tire of teasing endlessly,
While Mrs. Milky Way cleverly stops her lamentations?
Flowers still bloom, bees still buzz around,
The wind has faded the fragrance, butterflies have withered
Too fed up with celestial arrangements,
Xuân xanh được mấy chút thương ôi.

(Ho Xuan Huong - Excerpt from "Alas, the plight of a woman")

Though living in disparate eras and cultural milieus, Scarlett O'Hara and Ho Xuan Huong share parallels in thought and ethos. Both epitomize unwavering independence, shattering societal norms and constraints. If Ho Xuan Huong was renowned for her profound ideals, daring to voice her critiques of Vietnamese society and advocating for women's rights, Scarlett O'Hara defied the conventions of her time, where women were relegated to homemakers, submissive to their spouses. "How can one live without love, without remembrance, without cherishing anyone?". Both Scarlett and Ho Xuan Huong regarded love as a natural impulse, yet their modes of expression were singular, defying societal conventions of their respective cultures. They pursued their enduring loves despite societal taboos, as the societal dictum of "children should abide by their parents' decisions" was ingrained in Vietnamese society, and pragmatic marriage prevailed in the US. Though their tales did not culminate in a union with their beloved, what they left behind was a steadfast belief in love, that one day, they would find reciprocated affection.

Wandering through pages brimming with humanistic ideals, with clear cognizance of gender values from over 80 years ago, we come to realize not only the ideals but also the unarticulated grievances of women in that era. They aspired to live according to their own convictions yet were derided, kept at arm's length. They sought the happiness they yearned for yet resigned themselves to letting go. In that era, they were anomalies, but it's precisely their anomaly that ensures the endurance of their values to this day. VFSA hopes that through this, we can all affirm that every woman is a blossom, each radiating through her own choices, transcending constraints, and soaring freely with life's gusts. 

Authors: Nguyen Thuy Nga, Pham Khanh Linh. Translators: Tong Mai Anh, Nguyen Thi Hong Anh