Prissy Character Analysis in Gone with the Wind

Prissy is Dilcey and Pork’s daughter; she’s about 10 years old when the novel starts. She becomes Wade Hamilton’s nursemaid when Scarlett goes to Atlanta after Charles dies. Scarlett thinks that Prissy is a lazy and a liar, particularly after Prissy tells Scarlett she knows all about midwifery—but when Melanie goes into labor, Prissy is scared and admits that she knows nothing. She also takes her time when Scarlett tells her to hurry on errands and fails to chase the sow into the swamp when the Yankees come to Tara. She is the first enslaved girl that Scarlett ever hits.

Prissy Character Timeline in Gone with the Wind

The timeline below shows where the character Prissy appears in Gone with the Wind. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...dining room to introduce his wife Dilcey, who’s just arrived. Dilcey enters with her daughter Prissy, whom Gerald had also purchased. Dilcey thanks Gerald for his kindness in purchasing both her... (full context)

Looking Forward vs. Looking Back Theme Icon

...to the carriage. He voices his disapproval when he sees that Scarlett has put young Prissy in charge of Wade. Scarlett recalls that Charles said Peter practically raised him and Melanie... (full context)

Peter settles Scarlett in the carriage and tells her to make sure Prissy doesn’t drop Wade. He’s right to worry; Prissy is indeed a poor nurse. But she’s... (full context)

Practicality, Tenacity, and Selfishness Theme Icon

Prissy comes in with a letter for Melanie. Melanie opens it and lets out a cry,... (full context)

...small to have children. So Miss Pitty leaves for Macon while Scarlett, Melanie, Wade, and Prissy stay in Atlanta. (full context)

The siege comes closer and closer to Atlanta. Wade and Prissy hide in the basement, but Melanie was told to stay in bed, so she and... (full context)

The Civil War and Reconstruction Theme Icon

...can think of is the Yankees invading Tara. Scarlett longs to be home and shushes Prissy when Prissy starts singing a sad song. (full context)

Scarlett sends Prissy to get Mrs. Meade and then sits down for breakfast. Her heart beats so fast... (full context)

...no time. Melanie hopes hers will be that fast. Scarlett sponges Melanie’s forehead and watches Prissy return, swaying her skirt and taking her time. Swearing to whip Prissy one day, Scarlett... (full context)

...She tries to keep talking, but Melanie says not to worry. The hours pass and Prissy doesn’t return. What will happen if the baby comes before the doctor arrives? Scarlett suddenly... (full context)

Scarlett sees Prissy returning and goes downstairs to meet her. Prissy says the Confederates are losing in Jonesboro,... (full context)

...“a damned baby.” He tells her to find women to help. Scarlett reminds herself that Prissy knows about childbirth. But she’s afraid—this is the first time Scarlett has had to do... (full context)

...Wade, who’s crying, to go make mud pies in the yard. Once inside, Scarlett tells Prissy that the two of them will help birth Melanie’s baby. Prissy stammers, and says she... (full context)

...life. Melanie and Scarlett are drenched in sweat, and Scarlett waves flies from Melanie while Prissy crouches in the corner. Prissy smells bad, but Scarlett doesn’t want to dismiss her for... (full context)

...a hard birth and no doctor? Exhausted, Scarlett starts to cry and soon falls asleep. Prissy wakes Scarlett later and says they both did a good job delivering the baby. Scarlett... (full context)

...Butler. He insulted her, but he’s in Atlanta and he has a carriage. Scarlett tells Prissy to look for him, but Prissy is scared to go downtown when the Yankees might... (full context)

Scarlett hears Prissy’s feet on the steps. Prissy yells that the explosions are Confederate soldiers burning the foundries... (full context)

...if she is afraid. Scarlett is upset that he is mocking her again. She tells Prissy to get Wade’s feather bed, then she and Rhett go upstairs to Melanie’s room. Scarlett... (full context)

Outside, everyone gets into the rickety wagon. Melanie lies on the featherbed with Wade, Prissy, and the baby. The horse is thin and unwell, but Rhett says it was the... (full context)

...dead. He returns to the wagon to find that Melanie has fainted, so he gives Prissy a pistol and walks away. Scarlett hates him. Why is he walking into a lost... (full context)

The sun wakes Scarlett the next morning. Wade is asleep on her lap, and Melanie, Prissy, and the baby are curled up in the back of the wagon. Scarlett thinks about... (full context)

...of the wagon, she’s relieved to find the horse still alive, breathing weakly. Scarlett wakes Prissy and they go to the Mallorys’ well. When Scarlett asks if Melanie should nurse the... (full context)

...see the two tall chimneys standing above the ruined house. Scarlett shouts a hello, but Prissy shushes her. Scarlett urges the horse forward quietly. They pass more burned plantations. Tara could... (full context)

Suddenly, there is a sound in the underbrush. Scarlett jumps, but it’s only a cow. Prissy shrieks that it’s a ghost, and Scarlett turns and whips her with the tree branch,... (full context)

...won’t make it up the hill. She gets out, takes the horse’s bridle, and tells Prissy to get out and walk with Wade. Prissy and Wade complain, and Scarlett scolds them.... (full context)

Pork runs from the house, calling for Scarlett. Scarlett clutches his arms and Prissy bursts into tears. Getting down to business, Scarlett directs Pork to carry Melanie into one... (full context)

...and that the cow was about to have a calf. She tells Pork to take Prissy to hunt down the one hog that’s left. Pork says that’s field hand work, and... (full context)

So, Dilcey, Prissy and Scarlett pick the cotton. Dilcey works hard and whips Prissy when she is lazy.... (full context)

...running with Gerald and two pigs under his arms. Dilcey complains that the sow bit Prissy and has trapped her under the house. Scarlett gathers up the trinkets from the Yankee... (full context)

Scarlett hears the Yankees take the ducks. Then she hears squealing and a gunshot. Prissy must’ve abandoned the sow. Scarlett stands in the hall as the Yankees run around breaking... (full context)

One afternoon Scarlett, Melanie, Mammy, and Prissy are about to cut into a watermelon when they hear a horse coming. They argue... (full context)

...she gives in when Scarlett explains what’s going on with the taxes. Mammy yells for Prissy to get the dress patterns. (full context)

...daughter is marvelous. He fires nurses every week for mistreating his baby. He sends for Prissy and Lou, Uncle Peter’s great niece, tactfully telling Mammy that they’ll be her helpers (Mammy... (full context)

...when Rhett sends an urgent telegram that Melanie is ill. Leaving Wade and Ella with Prissy, Scarlett gets the first train to Atlanta. It moves painfully slowly through old Civil War... (full context)