Save the Cat rankings

GONE WITH THE WIND script analysis

GONE WITH THE WIND script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Scarlett O’Hara’s privileged life at Tara is upended by the Civil War and her unrequited love for Ashley Wilkes. She survives hardship through determination and pragmatism, finding an unlikely ally in Rhett Butler. Their turbulent relationship mirrors Scarlett’s journey from naiveté to resilience.

60 Save the Cat fit score 15% analysis confidence / 86 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

80%

Introduces carefree Scarlett at Tara, setting the tone and world before upheaval.

Fiddle-dee-dee! War, war, war! This war talk's spoiling all the fun at every party this Spring! I get...
2

Theme Stated

Scene 2 / Pages 1-2 / 5% target

70%

Gerald’s line on the worth of land hints at survival and perseverance, key themes.

Why, land is the only thing in this world worth working for, worth fighting for, worth dying for...
3

Set-Up

Scenes 3-8 / Pages 2-8 / 10% target

60%

Sets up family dynamics, Scarlett’s flirtations, and relationships with Ashley and Melanie ahead of the war.

4

Catalyst

Scene 14 / Page 8 / 12% target

70%

War declaration and Charles’s proposal force Scarlett into commitments she hadn’t planned.

Yes, Mr. Hamilton. I will.
5

Debate

Scene 16 / Pages 8-9 / 20% target

60%

Scarlett learns of Charles’s death and debates whether to stay at Tara or seek help in Atlanta.

6

Break into Two

Scenes 17-18 / Pages 9-10 / 25% target

70%

Scarlett decides to go to Atlanta, entering Act Two’s new world.

7

B Story

Scene 18 / Page 10 / 30% target

70%

Rhett Butler’s flirtation introduces the secondary romantic storyline.

Yes, I thought it was time I got you out of that fake mourning. Next trip I'll bring...
8

Fun and Games

Scenes 19-27 / Pages 10-13 / 40% target

50%

Scarlett’s life in Atlanta: bazaars, nursing, flirting, and maneuvering for survival.

9

Midpoint

Scenes 34-40 / Pages 13-16 / 50% target

80%

Return to devastated Tara and Scarlett’s vow (“As God is my witness...”) marks the story’s midpoint and her irreversible commitment to survive.

As God is my witness...As God is my witness...They’re not going to lick me!...I’m going to live through...
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 41-46 / Pages 16-17 / 65% target

60%

Scarlett struggles with field labor, impending Yankee threat at Tara, and Gerald’s reprimand—the external and internal pressures tighten.

11

All Is Lost

Scene 46 / Page 17 / 75% target

70%

News of Lee’s surrender signifies the lowest point for the Confederacy and Scarlett’s hopes.

Katie Scarlett! Katie Scarlett! It's over! It's over! It's all over! The war! Lee surrendered!
12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scenes 48-50 / Pages 17-18 / 80% target

60%

Scarlett faces tax crisis and realizes personal pride may cost Tara as Ashley can’t help.

Oh, Ashley, let's run away! We could go to Mexico. They want officers in the Mexican army -...
13

Break into Three

Scene 54 / Page 18 / 85% target

70%

Scarlett secures money from Rhett undercutting her pride—a new plan to save Tara.

I want three hundred dollars to pay the taxes on Tara.
14

Finale

Scenes 62-76 / Pages 19-23 / 95% target

50%

Scarlett rebuilds Tara, marries Rhett, and endures domestic struggles; she finally confronts her own motivations and love.

15

Final Image

Scene 86 / Page 24 / 99% target

80%

Scarlett stands on Tara at sunset, determined to go on, completing the arc from frivolous girl to resolute survivor.