Final answer:
Scarlett O'Hara's quote from 'Gone With the Wind' demonstrates the literary device of avoidance, a defense mechanism used to cope with difficult emotions or situations by delaying dealing with them.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the novel Gone With the Wind, Scarlett O'Hara employs a mental strategy of postponing dealing with difficult emotions or situations by telling herself, "I won't think about that now - I'll think about it tomorrow, when I can stand it." This is an example of a literary device called avoidance.
Avoidance is a type of defense mechanism in which a person consciously or unconsciously avoids thinking about distressing issues, feelings, or events. Scarlett's use of this technique reflects her desire to maintain control over her emotions and to cope with the overwhelming challenges that confront her.
The excerpts provided also capture different characters in various works of literature as they engage with their past, deal with the present or contemplate the future- often showing forms of reflection, memory, and sometimes avoidance or displacement. Each character handles their unique situations with a mix of confrontation and delay, whether through direct dialogue or internal contemplation.