Scarlett begins the novel unmarried, but with many beaus in the county; however, as a result of [[Ashley Wilkes|Ashley Wilkes]]' rejection, she marries Charles Hamilton, who dies before the birth of their son, Wade Hampton Hamilton. Later, in the midst of Tara's threat, Scarlett marries Frank Kennedy, Suellen's beau, for financial security for Tara and providing for the family. They have Ella Lorena Kennedy together. Kennedy dies in a raid by the Union army on Shanty Town, where Scarlett was attacked, who attempted to stop the raid. She continues to marry Rhett Butler, for his money, again, although she admits she is “fond” of him. They have Eugenia Victoria, a.k.a. “Bonnie Blue” Butler; however, she dies after a tragic riding accident. Unable to reconcile, Rhett leaves Scarlett, although Scarlett ends the novel vowing to try to win him back.

When the novel opens, Scarlett O’Hara is sixteen. She is vain, self-centered, and very spoiled by her wealthy parents. She can also be insecure, but is very intelligent, despite the Old South's pretense of ignorance and helplessness. She is somewhat unusual among Southern women, whom society preferred to act as dainty creatures who needed protection from their men. Scarlett is aware that she is only acting empty-headed, and resents the "necessity" of it, unlike most of her [[Southern belle]] peers, i.e. Melanie Hamilton and India Wilkes.

[[File:Vivien Leigh Scarlet.jpg|alt=Vivien Leigh smiling as Scarlett O'Hara in a portrait setting.|left|thumb|306x306px|Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara]]