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Renewing a Classic

It is an American classic. It is a piece of both literary and cinematic history. It is Gone With the Wind. Mention this title to any number of people and they will not only recognize it, but they may quote a few lines. Margaret Mitchell’s novel is nearly synonymous with the American south, nowhere more so than in my hometown of Atlanta. Surrounded by the legacy of Rhett and Scarlett, it was easy to forget that the story may not be as well known to the rest of the world.
In the summer of 1996, while volunteering during the Olympic Games in Atlanta, I had the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. One day, I found myself speaking with an older man from Lille, France. In Atlanta as a representative for Lille’s bid for the 2004 Olympics, this man spoke to me for a short time on Lille and its Olympic plans. But, he seemed more interested in talking about Atlanta and America, in general. He appeared to be soaking up as much of America’s culture as possible. Upon finding out that I was a native of Atlanta, he began talking of the places he had been in his brief time in the city. Many were places I had visited countless times, but to him, they were brand new.
After a brief pause in the conversation, he began to tell me about an article he was reading. The piece told the story of a book about the American Civil War. This book, the man excitedly explained, was written by an Atlantan. Specifically, it was written by a woman from Atlanta. I, of course, immediately knew the book in question, but I let the man continue.
“It is called Gone With the Wind,” he said, with a somewhat quizzical expression on his face.
“Do you know it?”
I smiled and responded that I was well aware of this classic novel. Hardly before I could respond, though, the man returned to telling me all about this book that had so intrigued him. The historical aspects of the story. The characters. The movie. It all seemed to fascinate him to no end.
Growing up surrounded by the story and the characters, I had taken it for granted that everyone knew it as well as I did. To see someone discovering this story for the first time was both enjoyable and educational. Through my conversation with this person, I found myself renewing a classic.

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