Pursuing true love initiatively at Twelve Oaks’ party

In this novel, Scarlett’s first challenge to traditional rules happens at the party in Twelve Oaks. She committed a public display of affection to Ashley, who was also a noble but quite different form others. She confided her own feelings boldly and even proposed to elope with him. In the 19th century of America, young girls had no right to make their own choices in marriage, only waiting for their parents’ arrangement or men to pursue them. Because for women in that time “All life is waiting; they are waiting for men’s allegiance and receive; she is waiting for love; she is waiting for the appreciation and praise from their husband or lovers” [18] Scarlett was not only waiting for Ashley’s love passively but also pursued him initiatively. She seems like a casual man that didn’t care about the gossip from other people, didn’t care about the image of a fair lady and even didn’t care about any thing. With such a pet phrase “Who cares?” made her distinguished herself from all other females in this novel and embodied her with a manly character at the same time. The consciousness of gender convergence in Liberal feminism’s theory had already burgeoned in her heart of hearts. In Scarlett’s mind she had the right for her own true love, she was equal to man. Why she cannot achieve the unalienable rights for pursuing her happiness? Even Ashley married Melanie and she was refused by Ashley several times latter she was still unflaggingly. From this case, Scarlett started to become confirmed and autopsychic that even outclass the males undeniably. Her selfrespect didn’t allow herself to knock under to the men. Personality changes were very obvious in her. She tried to break through streams of secular vision by her fighting; tried to expand the masculinity in the depth of her heart; tried to ignore gender differences and achieve gender convergence.