In Gone With the Wind... Why does Rhett marry Scarlett? He says she will bring misery to any man?

Question

Also why does Scarlett marry him?

Answer 1

They are cut from the same cloth. There is a great quote from the Mammy character that they are both mules in "horse harness," or something like that, which I believe was to be the original title of the book. There is definitely a sexual tension between them from the beginning. Rhett sees through Scarlett and knows that she needs a man who can keep up with her and who is just as self-serving as she is.

Answer 2

Scarlett And Rhett

Answer 3

Rhett marries Scarlett because he loves her. Whether he wants to or not he can't help himself and he's finally stopped running. Scarlett marries Rhett because he is irresistable to her. He's nothing like the other men in her life and she finds that both daunting and appealing. Plus, haven't you noticed how Scarlett is a glutton for punishment?

Answer 4

I haven't read the book, but I've seen the movie a million times. My answer would be that Rhett loved Scarlett from the moment he saw her at the Wilkes plantation, and I would guess he was willing to put up with that misery. Scarlett loved him too, but she was too busy having stars in her eyes for Ashley to realize that. I think she married him for his money at first, then later realized her true feelings--but then it was too late. He left, frankly, not giving a *darn*.

Answer 5

Rhett was a plain commoner who, by force of will alone, was very successful and rich. He was used to getting whatever he wanted.

And he wanted Scarlett.

Unlike the many other women in his life who he could use and then throw away, he knew he would have to pay a price for Scarlett.

But he wanted her and was willing to pay the price.

Besides, it allowed him to "settle down" and pretend to be the southern gentleman he was not but so wanted to be.

Answer 6

Rhett wanted the prettiest woman on his arm and Scarlet was that. He found her a challenge because he knew Scarlet was in love with someone else.

Scarlett married him because he had money and social position and she wasn't liked and she didn't want to wear widow's weeds.

Answer 7

Because Rhett is just in love w/her&just egotistical enough to think that under his influence,Scarlett will finally grow up.If ever there was a mn who loved a woman,it's Rhett Butler.hHe loves her spirit&does everything he can to free her of her provincial,scheming ways.he even makes fun of her&loves it when she gets angry.He loves her courage in the face of danger.
But Rhett is just as bad as she is.If she's a *****,he's a scoundrel&most would agree that they deserve each other&Scarlett finally marries him because she is ,above all things,a pragmatist

Answer 8

It was a love-hate relationship from the beginning... a can't do without- and can't- do- with kind of relationship. Happens a lot even in real life.

Answer 9

Because misery loves company.
Even though the sparks may fly.

Answer 10

I honestly believe Rhett loved Scarlett just like in the beginning I believe Princess Diana loved Prince Charles. But just as Prince Charles loved another Scarlett also was in love or at least thought she was in love with another. I believe that Rhett thought maybe just maybe he could get Scarlett to love him just as I believe that Princess Diana thought maybe just maybe she could get Prince Charles to love her. But as fiction and non-fiction have taught us you can't force someone to love you it just can't be done.... As to why Scarlett married Rhett that is a puzzler. I would say for money but she was already wealthy from the lumber mill. So maybe as one of the other commenter's said she married him for position so that she could make all those who hated her pea green with envy. Although just for position alone doesn't make sense as one would think she would want to stay single for Ashley in the hopes of marrying him as she thought she loved him. Maybe for a time, Scarlett gave up hope of marrying Ashley because he was already married.