Based on the Civil War era (1860s) book by Margaret Mitchell of the same name, "Gone with the Wind" is a magnificent dramatic movie. It was produced in 1939 by David O. Selznick.

The setting is mainly based in the deep South, around Tara Plantation near Atlanta, and is a picture of real human passion and struggle along with the issues the war was dealing with. Deep human love, suffering of war, childbirth at home and child rearing are some of the issues making up the story line.

What I'd first like to talk about is how the characters' names leave no doubt in your mind of who they were portraying. I love when an author uses the sound of names to help portray the image of the character.

"Scarlett" brings to my mind the color red as the name implies, passion, energy, self-will, selfishness, vibrancy and strength. And these strike me as her personal qualities as amply displayed in her role in the movie.

"Rhett" gives me the feeling of strength, quick wit, firm decision making, individuality - as the name could almost be a nickname.

"Ashley" containing the word ash reminds me of the grayness, finality and permanence of ashes in real life. Ashes are what life is reduced to after burning and Ashley certainly seemed a tortured soul in his character.

"Melanie" is a soft flowing name like a melody. While sweet and composed it is devoid of the visual spark the name Scarlett implies. It suits her character, which accepts and makes the best in a quiet way of the hardships life during the war brings. She seems the essence of forbearance.

"Gone with the Wind" is a study in how men and women with specific character traits deal with the real life dramas during the trying times of war and its aftermath. And, also, how their inner reserves come to the forefront to meet the hard and changing challenges of the times and situations.

No matter whether in past times or the present the story reminds me that many of us struggle to live with disabilities on top of the challenges of daily living. Any way we can be of help to others as they live out their drama is a feather in our cap of kind deeds, and pays off with feelings of satisfaction.

The lessons in this drama are deep, and by making one great composite character of all the players together, shows how humans relate with each other under good and bad times. And, more importantly, it is an example of how each of us learn to face our self in the mirror of our interactions throughout life.

Gone with the Wind - DVD from Amazon.com