“A femme fatale, translating to “Deadly Woman” in french, is an alluring, seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers in bonds of irresistible desire. Often this leads them into compromising, dangerous and deadly situations.” ~ Wikipeda
What villainous ladies have you read of in literature? Now’s the time to give them a shout out. Because let’s face it, we all love to route for the bad girl. Expression of this could be in any form, hate or love mail, fan fic, quotes or a simple profile. Just be sure to tell us where your femme fatale comes from so we can check them out too!
Ashley Wilkes, Scarlet O’Hara’s true love with no man being able to compare. Whether that love is reciprocated, imagined or true is really besides the point, because Scarlet will live in this delusion ruining any chance she may have had at happiness.
Charles Hamilton loves Scarlet O’Hara, mainly because she is the only woman to pay him the slightest attention. After the war breaks he asks her to marry him, under the belief that she loves him as much as he loves her. After just being rejected by his cousin Ashley Wilkes she finds this the best way to get revenge, thinking it will make Ashley jealous. Unfortunately, both this plan and the marriage backfire on Mrs. Hamilton. Ashley, who marries Charles sister Melanie is disgusted because he knows she doesn’t care for Charles and has no intention of leaving his wife for Scarlet. Charles betrays her by dying in war, leaving her with an unwanted pregnancy moping around in black under a false mourning.
Frank Kennedy, was originally Scarlet’s sister Suellen’s beau but Scarlet’s southern charm steals his affections. Another man she does not feel affection for but connives her way into his pocket to pay the mortgage on Tara. She treats him horribly, running the mill and general store like they were slave hands, hits up all their friends in Atlanta for the money that is owed Frank. Frank doesn’t agree with this mentality but is too timed to do anything. So instead, sits back and watches. Due to her stubborn business mind, she is attacked by a negro while attending to the mills. This leads to a “political meeting” and Frank being killed. Scarlet is left with a twinge of guilt, feeling responsible for his death and another child to care for.
Rhett Butler is everything that Scarlet is, self absurd, crud. and has a love affair with money willing to do anything to acquire it. Yet, Scarlet is still hung up on Ashley and cannot see how truly alike they are. With their love passing in the wind. Rhett has been there ever since the barbecue at Twelve Oaks, and has done anything to help Miss. O’Hara advance. Although, Rhett does have a breaking point, realizing that she will never share the same love that she has for Ashley he leaves her with an empty house her true affections exposed. Doing all this without giving a damn.
I just finished and reviewed The House of Mirth, and I've got to say perhaps Bertha Dorset is quite a femme fatale. I don't think I rooted for her at all, though — but I quite liked Lily Bart, though, and definitely rooted for her!
Great post. I really should rewatch this soon.
I LOVE Scarlett O Hara. I have nothing more to say 🙂