Gone With the Wind Chapter 52 Summary

How It All Goes Down

  • Wade's at home and sad because he can't go to a party. He never gets to go to parties because the town thinks Scarlett and Rhett are traitors.
  • Rhett realizes that social ostracism will hurt Bonnie's chances at marriage and general happiness, and determines to placate the neighbors.
  • Some more about how awful Reconstruction government is.
  • Rhett goes about recouping his reputation, telling people he served in the army and generally sucking up to everyone.
  • Bonnie has night terrors and so Rhett has her come sleep in his room.
  • Bonnie gets him to drink less, too, because she doesn't like the smell of alcohol, and he comes home earlier to put her to bed.