This is not an in-depth analysis. Well, at least, not this post. It’s me rambling about two characters, and two actresses, whose work I enjoy. It might be the British accent, Irish, Scottish or whatever, that lures me in, or its the ballsy way the actresses approach(ed) portraying iconic characters from beloved books I’d read ‘before’ I saw the cable episodes or the movie. It is me seeing a similarity between two actresses that led me to consider – a battle between Claire and Scarlett…and the winner is?
I’m fussy about female characters in film or TV/Cable. An author uses thousands of words to redeem/explain/expand upon their characters’ choices. But in film, you get it right or you miss it (cable’s Outlander has an advantage over Gone with the Wind because of the sixteen 60-minute episodes airing for book 1 in the series. Plenty of time to get it right, but still, it’s not like reading the book (but close–thank the gods for Sam Hueghan:)…
What if Gone with the Wind was a cable series? (No, let’s not go there).
Here are a few things I find similar about these two female characters: (1) stubbornness – their way or the highway. I’ve only finished book 1 of the Outlander series, but Claire’s stubbornness is central to the plot. (2) both women are main characters who are central to the plot, rare for film or TV unless the woman is an FBI agent, homicide detective, CIA analyst, or Buffy the Vampire Slayer:). (3) no action takes place without Claire or Scarlett (okay, forget the wars, the death, and the diseases, other than that, the choices made by Claire and Scarlett dictate story. (4) both characters have a lot of meat on the bones in terms of flaws, as well as virtues (okay, Scarlett’s virtues are few on the virtue train, but I said this wasn’t a deep analysis). (5) Claire loves her husband. Scarlett loves her husband (okay, not all of her husbands…) Not so similar: (1) Without huge spoilers – Claire makes sacrifices for her man. Scarlett makes no sacrifices for her man. Claire is the protagonist of the story (right?:), she changes the most. Scarlett is the antagonist. She prompts changes in others (Rhett).
The actresses’ similarities? Look at their faces. The poses they choose. The ‘life’ in their eyes. That’s part of what they bring to their portrayals of these iconic characters.
Just a few thoughts because Caitriona Balfe (Claire) reminds me of the late Vivian Leigh (Scarlett)…one of my favorite actresses from classic film.
Although I’m not in on all of the Outlander hype, I see the similarities between them in the pictures. I loved this analysis! Great post!
Thanks Piper. I have a thing for strong female characters who may not always be ‘likable’ from page one. A good multi-published author buddy said – make them interesting and that will keep the reader reading:)…these two characters are interesting from page one. You should check out ‘Outlander’ if you haven’t done so already…a fantasy with its feet rooted in history…and a sexy and an engrossing read.
Neat post, Denny. And an interesting comparison. I haven’t yet watched “Outlander” since it just started yesterday up in Canada, and I’ve recorded it. I think all I got through was the first book of the series, too, and it’s been a long while since I’ve read or watched “Gone with the Wind”. 🙂 I like strong female characters too, and don’t believe that to be the leads they either need to be constantly kicking butt, nor that they have to be super-likable. Complicated is more interesting, especially as a female reader, since life is complicated and I think it makes the character more real, and more sympathetic / easy to relate to. I don’t know about you, but I’m a bit (lot) left of perfect. 😉 For a character, it means I know I’m in for quite the journey for her to change, and I’m closer to that journey because of her imperfections. Thanks for sharing, Denny.
Great post, Denny! I love seeing the pics all together and I agree, there are strong similarities. I haven’t read Outlander yet, and I’m hesitant to add another “must read” series to my already wobbly TBR stack, but I’ve heard great things and I’m sure I would love it.
I hadn’t thought about it before, but you’re right that Scarlett is the antagonist and Rhett is the protagonist. Hmmm… Thanks!
How interesting, Denny. I never thought of Scarlett as the antagonist! I love a strong heroine, of course, I just don’t like when authors are so focused on making the heroine seem strong that she comes across as foolish. Like Claire, who’s traveled back in time, at the mercy of this strange bunch of Scots, and she’s getting in the face of a man who could literally end her life. Smack her. Rape her. That doesn’t make her appear strong. It makes HER appear dumb and the STORY unbelievable. I would rather have seen her thinking on her feet, figuring out how to manage a man from a totally different period in time, when men didn’t respect women–and certainly wouldn’t take being talked to like that. I do love Scarlett O’Hara, though, for her indomitable spirit.
Vivian Leigh won two academy awards portraying Scarlett as a young woman and how she may have turned out when she got older (Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire). A spectacular actress! I’m a huge Outlander fan, but haven’t watched the series yet.