<P> Scarlett O'Hara is an atypical protagonist , especially as a female romantic lead in fiction . When the novel opens , Scarlett is sixteen . She is vain , self - centered , and very spoiled by her wealthy parents . She can also be insecure , but is very intelligent , despite her fashionable Southern - belle pretense at ignorance and helplessness around men . She is somewhat unusual among Southern women , whom society preferred to act as dainty creatures who needed protection from their men . Scarlett is aware that she is only acting empty - headed , and resents the fashionable `` necessity '' of it , unlike most of her typical party - going Southern belles social set . </P>
<P> Scarlett O'Hara is an atypical protagonist , especially as a female romantic lead in fiction . When the novel opens , Scarlett is sixteen . She is vain , self - centered , and very spoiled by her wealthy parents . She can also be insecure , but is very intelligent , despite her fashionable Southern - belle pretense at ignorance and helplessness around men . She is somewhat unusual among Southern women , whom society preferred to act as dainty creatures who needed protection from their men . Scarlett is aware that she is only acting empty - headed , and resents the fashionable `` necessity '' of it , unlike most of her typical party - going Southern belles social set . </P>
how old is scarlett at the beginning of gone with the wind
how old is scarlett at the beginning of gone with the wind
sixteen
sixteen