Gone with the Wind Part III

Scarlett's war really begins when she goes home to Tara. Most of the slaves have run away, and her father's mind has gone. Her sisters have been seriously ill and her beloved mother is dead. She has to take on responsibility for the plantation, for her family and servants. She has always had a frivolous fun seeking life and now she is barely able to find enough to eat for her household. She is tired and weary and often harsh with her family and servants, but she accepts that she is the only one at Tara who can carry the burden of looking after them. When the war ends, many soldiers pass through Tara walking home, and one of them, a small farmer called Will Benteen, decides to stay. He has lost a leg but he's a hard worker. He knows that his farm is gone to weeds, and his slaves have left. Scarlett next finds that the government is imposing heavy taxes on Tara and generally coming down hard on those who fought against the North. To get the money, she flirts with her sister SueEllen's admirer, a middle aged fusspot called Frank Kennedy. He has a small store which gives him a modest income. He hopes he can marry SueEllen now the war is over, but Scarlett lies to him and tells him that her sister has accepted a new admirer.. She lures him to marry her and is able to save Tara. This means that she has to move back to Atlanta, and leaves Will to manage Tara. He proposes to Sue Ellen, who is furious at being jilted by Frank... and she accepts him. Scarlett realises that she is much better at business than her husband.. and urges him to make more money for them.