CHAPTER 5

Summary 

Scarlett begins the day of the party by searching for a dress. Her best dress has a stain on it which she fears Melanie may notice even if she pins a brooch over it. Thus she chooses a sleeveless dress with a low-cut neckline; this and her refusal to eat a tray of food brings about a confrontation with Mammy. It is inappropriate to show one’s arms and bosom before 3:00, and according to Mammy, girls are supposed to stuff themselves with food prior to going to a party so they will be unable to eat more than a mouthful or two at the party. The sentiment of the day is that only girls who eat like a bird will catch a husband.

On the way to the party we are introduced to Mrs. Tarleton and her daughters as their carriage meets up with the O’Hara carriage. They engage in friendly informal banter, the girls teasing their mother for flirting with Mr. O’Hara. Scarlett is shocked at the freedom with which the Tarletons act; yet it is obvious that they adore each other. She envies the assuredness with which the Tarleton girls conduct themselves. Gerald and Mrs. Tarleton discuss horses for a bit, then the conversations shifts to Ashley’s engagement to Melanie. Mrs. Tarleton disapproves of marriage among cousins, as she believes it "weakens the strain." Gerald begins to get embarrassed as such frank conversation would be considered most improper if Ellen were to hear about it. Finally Hetty Tarleton urges them to move on to the party. Gerald manages to detain them long enough to ask Mrs. Tarleton if she has reconsidered her unwillingness to sell her horses to the Troop when they go to war. She says she will do no such thing, but then suggests that perhaps there will be no war anyway.