India Wilkes
 |
| India Wilkes | |
|---|---|
| First appearance | Gone with the Wind |
| Last appearance | Scarlett |
| Created by | Margaret Mitchell |
| Portrayed by | Alicia Rhett |
| In-universe information | |
| Gender | Female |
| Family | Ashley Wilkes (brother) Honey Wilkes (sister) Melanie Hamilton (sister-in-law/cousin) Beau Wilkes (nephew, via Ashley) |
India Wilkes is a fictional character in the novel and film Gone with the Wind. She is the sister of Ashley Wilkes and the rival of Scarlett O'Hara.
She despises Scarlett for stealing the attention of Stuart Tarleton, who courted India previously. India also resents Scarlett for marrying Charles Hamilton, the man that everyone assumed would marry her sister, Honey Wilkes. In the film, she is in love with Charles Hamilton and despises Scarlett for marrying him. The book mentions that the only word that could be used to describe her looks was "plain".
After Scarlett's marriage to Charles, Stuart resumes courting India. Since it is assumed that Stuart would have married India had he lived, India is given the respect accorded to widows. Once afforded this status, she grows more sharp-tongued, and she is able to say things that most unmarried women cannot.
India moves in with Ashley and Melanie after they move to Atlanta. When Scarlett and Rhett's engagement is announced, India endorses cutting them both from respectable society; India now blames Scarlett for causing the death of her second husband, Frank Kennedy. She also states that she believes that there had always been more to Scarlett and Rhett's relationship than there appeared. Melanie refuses to believe or listen to India, and Melanie makes it clear that if Rhett and Scarlett are shunned, then she will be so also. Melanie's loyalty to Scarlett and Rhett causes a wedge between herself and India.
India is one of the three people who sees Scarlett and Ashley embrace. Because Melanie defended Scarlett and Ashley, India leaves the Wilkes home and moves in with Aunt Pitty. India apologizes for their quarrel later on, when Melanie is on her deathbed.
India is a traditional southern Antebellum "lady" who takes the place of hostess and lady of the house after her mother dies. She remains unmarried at the end of Gone with the Wind. India is referred to as an "old maid" by Scarlett.
In the movie, she was played by Alicia Rhett.
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