Chapters One through Eight Summary

In chapter one, Scarlett is watching at the graveside of Melanie Wilkes, thinking that Melanie was her only true friend. Scarlett has tended the myriad of details associated with Melanie's death as no one else was capable of dealing with them. Near Melanie's grave in Atlanta's Oakland Cemetery is the tiny grave of Scarlett's youngest and most-beloved daughter, Eugenie Victoria Butler, also known as Bonnie. As the mourners stand by, Melanie's husband, Ashley, tries to throw himself into the grave. Scarlett, believing he will hurt himself, grabs at him and tries to stop him, causing a stir among the mourners.

At home, Scarlett and her maid, Pansy, rush to pack and go to the train station where Scarlett catches a train for the plantation of her childhood, Tara. She's met by her brother-in-law, Will Benteen, and goes...