forrest gump character analysis essay

Forrest Gump Character Analysis Essay

Introduction, forrest’s mum – mrs. gump, works cited.

The drama Forrest Gump became a cult phenomenon of cinematography. It had a great success and won a few awards. The movie’s plot is non-trivial: the developmentally disabled person becomes a shrimp magnate, a famous football player, a hero during the war, a co-owner of Steve Jobs’ Apple company, and earns a billion. It is the story of one extraordinary and kind life. The narrative comes on behalf of Forrest Gump (performed by Tom Hanks), a person with poor mental capacities who nevertheless turns out to be smarter than most members of “normal” people’s society.

The main character of the film was born in Greenbow, which is located in Alabama ( Forrest Gump) . Forrest’s childhood was not harmless because the boy was special and stood out from the crowd. It is commonly known that the person, different from the rest, usually do not gain popularity in collectives. However, Forrest’s life path is extremely winding and full of adventures. He goes to school because of his mother’s insistence (his IQ 75, when at least 80 is needed for general education school), goes to University, thanks to his game of American football (he just cannot be caught up). After University, as a good citizen, he goes to the army. Gump is sent to Vietnam like his new friend, Bubba, whom he met on an army bus. It should be noted that the most important meetings for Forrest happen on the bus, and it is while waiting for the bus, the hero tells his story.

In Vietnam, Forrest shows heroism, saves friends and gets shot. The war hero, a shrimp millionaire, for some messiah, a man who has repeatedly been personally rewarded by the president, in all adventures, never forgets the most important person. Jenny is the girl, whom he met on the school bus, who was always the closest person to him after his mother, the girl who would become his son’s mother ( Forrest Gump) . Forrest is looking forward to the meeting with her while he tells his life story to the continually changing listeners at the bus stop.

The power of the main character lies in the fact that whatever he does – running, playing ping-pong, pulling the wounded friends out of the battlefield, catching shrimp, and even cutting grass, he is completely passionate about this process (Davis). Forrest concentrates on his activity without any side thoughts – he does it because he likes and can do it. This skill is lacking for a lot of people – they tend to do something unpleasant just because they think they must.

Despite the impression of loneliness and exclusion of the main character, everything turns out to be the opposite. After spending his whole life waiting for love, Forrest loses his wife, only to find happiness with her. However, he does not go crazy, and he does not sink into despair. He raises his son and goes to the grave to his wife, talking to her. Through these simple actions, the viewer realizes that at every moment of people’s lives, when they seem to be alone, they are not, dears are near.

Thus, the protagonist is a man with mental features named Forrest Gump. He, like a feather, is carried through the large-scale events of the last half of the 20th ( Forrest Gump) . In the movie, Forrest meets John Lennon, teaches Elvis Presley to dance, and comes up with a famous slogan. It is not all of his adventures, as there are much more. One may describe the hero as a flat character, features that his mom has raised in him stay during his life. The world around the protagonist changes with crazy speed, but he himself remains the same. His character and soul remain invariably open and straightforward, although some aspects of his life shift seriously – financial condition, marital status.

Although Jenny – Forrest’s beloved – appears most often throughout the film, his mother is the one who also requires separate attention. She struggles to feed her son and is forced to turn her home into a hotel, to become a servant in it ( Forrest Gump) . It seems that the problems are about to crush this family. However, Mrs. Gump finds the strength to survive. The main hero forever remembers her simple and large comments and often uses them as direct indications of action. What is important is that maternal love is not blind. She is raising not a disabled person, but an active, self-sufficient citizen (Robles). The central values laid down in the child are patriotism, honesty, hard work, respect for the rights of others, and self-esteem.

The boy’s mother is struggling to be stable and reliable. She believes in her son and tries selflessly to help him. She serves as an interpreter and guide to her only and adored child (Rizki). Mother prides on Forrest’s successes and actively assists him in shaping the foundation of his well-being. Gump remains faithful to her mother forever, and her death is one of the worst blows of his life.

This movie shows a lot – reveals human desires and vices, aspirations, and doubts. The plot is full of contrasts, unexpected turns, and contradictory acts. Among all this, only the main character does not change. Despite the noticeable differences from a healthy person, Gump does what is beyond the control of even genius. The man easily fulfilled the American dream and became famous. Forrest Gump’s story begins at the bus stop and ends there. Only this stop becomes the beginning of another person’s life story. The boy who was named after his father – called Forest Gump.

Davis, Gary E. “Forrest Gump Lives, or How the George Wright Society Helped Me Learn to Overcome Existential Career Adversity.” The George Wright Forum , vol. 35, no. 3. 2018, pp. 289-295.

Forrest Gump. Directed by Robert Zemeckis. Perfamces by Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Sally Field, et al. Paramount. 1994.

Rizki, Kevin. The Eight Stages Development Analysis Of Forrest Gump In Robert Zemeckis’s Forrest Gump . Dissertation, Diponegoro University, 2019.

Robles, Nadia Alyssa.”Film Analysis of “Forrest Gump”. Angelo State University Social Sciences Research Journal, 2019.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2022, February 12). Forrest Gump Character Analysis. https://ivypanda.com/essays/forrest-gump-character-analysis/

"Forrest Gump Character Analysis." IvyPanda , 12 Feb. 2022, ivypanda.com/essays/forrest-gump-character-analysis/.

IvyPanda . (2022) 'Forrest Gump Character Analysis'. 12 February.

IvyPanda . 2022. "Forrest Gump Character Analysis." February 12, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/forrest-gump-character-analysis/.

1. IvyPanda . "Forrest Gump Character Analysis." February 12, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/forrest-gump-character-analysis/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Forrest Gump Character Analysis." February 12, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/forrest-gump-character-analysis/.

• Forrest Gump by Robert Zemeckis
• Social Theories and Concepts in Forrest Gump
• Mental Retardation in the Movie "Forrest Gump"
• "Forrest Gump": Professionalism in Production
• Disability Representation in "Forrest Gump"
• The “Forrest Gump” Film as a History Lesson
• Forrest Gump by Robert Zemeckis: Relationships Analysis
• "Forrest Gump" (1994): Screenplay Structure
• Humanities. Diversity in "Forrest Gump" Movie
• Zemeckis' “Forrest Gump”: Context, Use of History
• The Impact of Gender, Race, and Sexuality in Children's Films
• "Hotel Transylvania" by Genndy Tartakovsky
• The Movie "Silver Linings Playbook" by Russell
• The Resistance of Batman and Joker as a Moral Dilemma
• Michael Apted's “Thunderheart”: Urban Planning

• Entertainment
• Environment
• Information Science and Technology
• Social Issues

Home Essay Samples Entertainment Forrest Gump

Forrest Gump Character Analysis in Terms of Psychology

Table of contents

Forrest gump: psychological analysis.

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing.
• Gump, F., & Conkey, C. (1994). Forrest Gump. Random House.
• Hergenhahn, B. R., & Olson, M. H. (2018). An Introduction to Theories of Learning (10th ed.). Routledge.
• McLeod, S. (2018). Erik Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development. Simply Psychology. Retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/Erik-Erikson.html
• Myers, D. G. (2014). Exploring Psychology (9th ed.). Worth Publishers.
• Steinberg, S. (2018). The Psychological Movie Review : Forrest Gump. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psychiatry-and-popcorn/201807/the-psychological-movie-review-forrest-gump

*minimum deadline

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below

• A Civil Action
• Documentary
• A Separation
• Requiem For a Dream

Related Essays

Need writing help?

You can always rely on us no matter what type of paper you need

*No hidden charges

100% Unique Essays

Absolutely Confidential

Money Back Guarantee

By clicking “Send Essay”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. We will occasionally send you account related emails

You can also get a UNIQUE essay on this or any other topic

Thank you! We’ll contact you as soon as possible.

English Studies

This website is dedicated to English Literature, Literary Criticism, Literary Theory, English Language and its teaching and learning.

“Forrest Gump”: Critical Analysis

“Forrest Gump” is a superb adaptation of the novel of the same title, showcasing the character of Forrest Gump, a man with a low IQ but remarkable achievements.

Introduction : “Forrest Gump”

Table of Contents

“Forrest Gump” is a superb adaptation of the novel of the same title, showcasing the character of Forrest Gump, a man with a low IQ but remarkable achievements. While not an exact replica of the novel, several scenes capture the spirit of the time. Directed by Zemeckis and based on Winston Groom’s novel with a screenplay by Eric Roth, the movie has garnered acclaim from the public. Tom Hanks brilliantly portrays the role of Forrest Gump, a seemingly dull-witted young man with numerous accomplishments. Robin Wright plays Jenny in her youth, contributing to the narrative told in a stream of consciousness technique.

The film portrays Forrest Gump not only exposing the Watergate scandal but also attempting to save his dear friend Bubba during the Vietnam War, eventually receiving the Medal of Honor from the President. Despite deviations from the original novel, the movie successfully reflects Zemeckis’s directorial vision. The use of the stream of consciousness technique in “Forrest Gump” adds a unique dimension to Gump, highlighting his main character trait of focus and concentration, redefining

Stream of Consciousness in “Forrest Gump”

The use of the stream of consciousness technique in the movie by Zemeckis is truly brilliant. Tom Hanks, portraying Forrest Gump, shares his stories with anyone who sits with him on the bench at the bus stop on the pavement. A recurring moment involves him taking out a chocolate, saying, “Mama says, life is like a box of chocolates…” (Zemeckis). Rob Humanick characterizes this as a gamble, playing with both visual and narrative elements, and notes that this gamble paid off, contributing to the movie’s resounding success (Humanick).

Humanick suggests that even though Jenny was added later as a victim of AIDS, the focus on Gump and his perspective is sufficient for the audience. Gump narrates his stories in his own unique way, sharing whatever comes to his mind (Humanick). This narrative approach makes Gump a captivating focal point for those who have the chance to sit with him and experience his stories through his eyes.

Relations in “Forrest Gump”

The use of the stream of consciousness technique in the movie significantly impacts the portrayal of relationships, refining Forrest’s connections with other characters, including his mother, Jenny, and his friend Bubba. Despite some differences from the novel, David Lavrey notes that Forrest remains “faithful to his mother” and is by her bedside when she passes away (Lavery). Forrest carries the wisdom of his mother, encapsulated in the phrase “Stupid is as stupid does,” along with the famous box of chocolates (Zemeckis). This unwavering faith in his mother’s teachings propels him forward, earning him a positive reputation wherever he goes and guiding him to stay on the right path.

Lavery emphasizes Forrest’s steadfastness in war, where he not only helps his lieutenant but also remains loyal to his friend Bubba. While Forrest’s relationship with Jenny differs from the novel, it is portrayed as somewhat unique in the movie. Forrest marries Jenny in the film and becomes a father to a son, showcasing a different dimension to his character. A poignant scene unfolds when Forrest leaves his son on the school bus, imparting the same life wisdom about a box of chocolates.

Narrative Style in “Forrest Gump”

The movie adeptly showcases Gump character traits through his unique narrative style . Seated on the same bench at the bus stop, he consistently shares his life story with changing audiences, demonstrating his unwavering commitment until he remembers his appointment to meet Jenny. This consistency reflects his strong character.

Forrest consistently exhibits commendable qualities in every challenge he faces. In the face of adversity, such as being chased by boys or heroically carrying his friend in a bombardment, he showcases remarkable strength and resilience. His dedication is evident in his achievements, whether excelling in running, succeeding in marketing, or exposing the Watergate Scandal. Rob Humanick describes the film as “an unlikely film with an unlikely man,” but notes that both have received accolades, highlighting the success of the movie (Humanick).

The resounding success of the film can be attributed to the quality of character traits portrayed by Forrest Gump, showcasing his journey from childhood to youth. His unwavering determination and steadfastness in his beliefs contribute to his ultimate success, making him a compelling and memorable character.

Conclusion : “Forrest Gump”

In short, the movie emerges as a unique film that introduces an extraordinary character characterized by a low IQ but an exceptional focus on every task at hand. The narrative unfolds the idea that success is attainable with unwavering concentration. The film’s uniqueness lies not only in the character but also in the storytelling style and its visual presentation.

Adopting the stream of consciousness technique, Tom Hanks, as Forrest Gump, shares his story with the audience while seated on the bench of a bus stop, holding a chocolate box with his iconic phrase. This narrative style plays a pivotal role in refining Forrest’s relationships with his loved ones. His commitment to his mother and Jenny, with whom he fathers a son and imparts the same life lesson, is a testament to this.

Forrest successfully navigates various roles, serving as both a marketing executive and a soldier, achieving resounding success in both realms. Despite some deviations from the source material, these differences seamlessly integrate into Forrest Gump’s narrative. The movie’s success, as suggested by Rob Humanick, lies in the unlikely nature of both the film and its central character, emphasizing that a compelling story can capture hearts, even without a traditional hero.

Works Cited: “Forrest Gump”

• Humanick, Rob. “Forest Gump.” Slant Magazine . 04 Sept. 2014. https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/review/forrest-gump. Accessed on 06 Nov. 2017.
• Lavery, David. “”No Box of Chocolates”: The Adaptation of Forrest Gump.” Literature Film Quarterly , vol. 25, no. 1, Jan. 1997, pp. 18-22. EBSCO host , libuno.uno.edu:443/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=hft&AN=509634509&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
• Zemeckis, R., et al. Forrest Gump . Hollywood, CA, Paramount Pictures. 2001.

Relevant Questions about “Forrest Gump”

• How did Tom Hanks prepare for his role as Forrest Gump?
• What is the significance of the feather in “Forrest Gump”?
• How did “Forrest Gump” address and depict historical events?

Related posts:

• Government’s Usage of Euphemism: Hiding Truth
• “You Fit Into Me”: by Margaret Atwood
• Resistance and Anger in Mahmoud Darwish
• “The Eagle” and “Hawk Roosting”: Comparison

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Forrest Gump

25 pages • 50 minutes read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-6

Chapters 7-12

Chapters 13-19

Chapters 20-26

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Chapters 1-6 Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 1 summary.

Forrest Gump introduces himself. He is aware of his mental situation—his IQ is only 70—and refers to himself by various derogatory terms. Forrest explains that he was named after a great uncle who was a KKK member. He was raised by his mother; his father was killed in a freight accident on the docks. Public school is too challenging for him at first, so Forrest is put into a school for children with special needs. But when he is in high school, he has a growth spurt: he is 6’6” tall and weighs 240 pounds. The high school football coach sees him running and arranges for Forrest to return to public school so that he can play on the football team.

Forrest is massive, but is afraid of hurting people, so he makes a poor football player. However, when the coach realizes how fast he can run, he puts Forrest in an offensive position, instead of defense. Forrest is able to make the all-state football team.

Don't Miss Out!

Access Study Guide Now

Featured Collections

Books Made into Movies

View Collection

Movie Reviews

Tv/streaming, collections, great movies, chaz's journal, contributors, forrest gump.

Now streaming on:

I've never met anyone like Forrest Gump in a movie before, and for that matter I've never seen a movie quite like "Forrest Gump." Any attempt to describe him will risk making the movie seem more conventional than it is, but let me try. It's a comedy, I guess. Or maybe a drama. Or a dream.

The screenplay by Eric Roth has the complexity of modern fiction, not the formulas of modern movies. Its hero, played by Tom Hanks , is a thoroughly decent man with an IQ of 75, who manages between the 1950s and the 1980s to become involved in every major event in American history. And he survives them all with only honesty and niceness as his shields.

And yet this is not a heartwarming story about a mentally challenged man. That cubbyhole is much too small and limiting for Forrest Gump. The movie is more of a meditation on our times, as seen through the eyes of a man who lacks cynicism and takes things for exactly what they are. Watch him carefully and you will understand why some people are criticized for being "too clever by half." Forrest is clever by just exactly enough.

Tom Hanks may be the only actor who could have played the role.

I can't think of anyone else as Gump, after seeing how Hanks makes him into a person so dignified, so straight-ahead. The performance is a breathtaking balancing act between comedy and sadness, in a story rich in big laughs and quiet truths.

Forrest is born to an Alabama boardinghouse owner ( Sally Field ) who tries to correct his posture by making him wear braces, but who never criticizes his mind. When Forrest is called "stupid," his mother tells him, "Stupid is as stupid does," and Forrest turns out to be incapable of doing anything less than profound. Also, when the braces finally fall from his legs, it turns out he can run like the wind.

That's how he gets a college football scholarship, in a life story that eventually becomes a running gag about his good luck. Gump the football hero becomes Gump the Medal of Honor winner in Vietnam, and then Gump the Ping-Pong champion, Gump the shrimp boat captain, Gump the millionaire stockholder (he gets shares in a new "fruit company" named Apple Computer), and Gump the man who runs across America and then retraces his steps.

It could be argued that with his IQ of 75 Forrest does not quite understand everything that happens to him. Not so. He understands everything he needs to know, and the rest, the movie suggests, is just surplus. He even understands everything that's important about love, although Jenny, the girl he falls in love with in grade school and never falls out of love with, tells him, "Forrest, you don't know what love is." She is a stripper by that time.

The movie is ingenious in taking Forrest on his tour of recent American history. The director, Robert Zemeckis , is experienced with the magic that special effects can do (his credits include the "Back To The Future" movies and " Who Framed Roger Rabbit "), and here he uses computerized visual legerdemain to place Gump in historic situations with actual people.

Forrest stands next to the schoolhouse door with George Wallace , he teaches Elvis how to swivel his hips, he visits the White House three times, he's on the Dick Cavett show with John Lennon , and in a sequence that will have you rubbing your eyes with its realism, he addresses a Vietnam-era peace rally on the Mall in Washington. Special effects are also used in creating the character of Forrest's Vietnam friend Lt. Dan ( Gary Sinise ), a Ron Kovic type who quite convincingly loses his legs.

Using carefully selected TV clips and dubbed voices, Zemeckis is able to create some hilarious moments, as when LBJ examines the wound in what Forrest describes as "my butt-ox." And the biggest laugh in the movie comes after Nixon inquires where Forrest is staying in Washington, and then recommends the Watergate. (That's not the laugh, just the setup.) As Forrest's life becomes a guided tour of straight-arrow America, Jenny (played by Robin Wright ) goes on a parallel tour of the counterculture. She goes to California, of course, and drops out, tunes in, and turns on. She's into psychedelics and flower power, antiwar rallies and love-ins, drugs and needles. Eventually it becomes clear that between them Forrest and Jenny have covered all of the landmarks of our recent cultural history, and the accommodation they arrive at in the end is like a dream of reconciliation for our society. What a magical movie.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

Now playing

Disappear Completely

Brian tallerico.

The Long Game

State of Consciousness

Simon abrams.

Riddle of Fire

Robert daniels.

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

Glenn kenny, film credits.

Forrest Gump (1994)

Rated PG-13 For Drug Content, Sensuality and War Violence

135 minutes

Robin Wright as Jenny Curran

Gary Sinise as Lt. Dan

Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump

Directed by

• Robert Zemeckis

Latest blog posts

The Movies That Underwent Major Changes After Their Festival Premiere

Netflix's Dead Boy Detectives Is A Spinoff Stuck In Limbo

Preview of Tributes at the 58th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival

Pioneering Actor-Producer Terry Carter Dies

Forrest Gump

by Robert Zemeckis

Forrest gump essay questions.

How does Forrest go to college?

Forrest as a child is forced to wear leg braces in order to correct a curved spine, but once he breaks free he cannot stop running. Jenny tells Forrest that the best way to deal with bullies at school is to run away from them, so one day in high school, when they get approached by some mean kids from school, Forrest starts running away. When he cuts through a football practice trying to escape, a scout from the University of Alabama spots how fast he is and recruits him for the team. This is one of the first "happy accidents" that befalls Forrest early in the film, an instance in which he is not even trying to get an opportunity, but it comes knocking nonetheless.

Why does Forrest form Bubba Gump Shrimp Company?

Forrest has gone to Vietnam to fight in the war. During basic training, he becomes close with Bubba, a fellow soldier who comes from the bayou and whose one dream is to start a shrimping boat company. Bubba tells Forrest all about shrimp and the two agree to go into business once they get out of the war. When Bubba dies in Vietnam, Forrest keeps his promise to Bubba and creates the company. He isn't successful initially, but once Lieutenant Dan comes on board to help with the company, they hit the jackpot when they are the only shrimping boat to survive a major hurricane. The shrimping company becomes a huge success.

What is the significance of bird imagery in the film?

Early on in the film, we learn that Jenny is sexually abused by her father, and at one point, she and Forrest end up praying in a field together. She prays to be turned into a bird, so that she can fly away from her horrible life. The image of the bird follows the character of Jenny throughout the film. At one point we see her in a drugged out haze climbing up onto a balcony, considering whether to jump as "Freebird" plays. Then, after she dies, Forrest visits her grave, and a chorus of birds chirp and fly away from the tree, as if Jenny is there in a new animal form with him.

Why is Forrest so confident?

A great deal of Forrest's confidence and his ability to integrate with the world around him has to do with the enduring influence of his mother. Mrs. Gump is very loving and attentive to Forrest, and teaches him to never believe that he is different than his peers. Through her homespun wisdom, she teaches Forrest to always remember some simple aphorisms that can help ground him when he feels lost, aphorisms such as, "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get," and "Death is a part of life," and "Stupid is as stupid does."

What does the image of the feather represent?

The feather, which appears at both the beginning and the end of the film, represents Forrest's life philosophy, which is the merging of two different philosophies. When he stands at Jenny's grave, he considers the fact that some people think life is fated and predetermined, while others think it is random and as undirected as the course of the wind. In this moment, Forrest posits that he thinks life is a little bit of both. The feather represents this idea, in that it is floating along on the wind without a set direction or course, yet it also seems to be guided by some kind of divine hand.

Forrest Gump Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Forrest Gump is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Forrest sounds special needs when he talks so many people don't take him seriously. Forrest Gump IQ score is 75 IQ , which is regarded below average and represents 16% of the world's population. Forrest, however, excels in the situations he is put...

What lessons does Forrest learn throughout the movie?

Be true to yourself: Even though others attempt to convince him differently throughout the whole movie, Forrest remains loyal to himself and his principles. People around him respect and admire him because he never compromises his moral standards....

How does the Author represent the concept of war in forrest Gump?

Forrest Gump learns about war and loss by being in it. He learns about death in the war, when his best friend Bubba dies, and he saves his fellow soldiers from the dangers of the war. Forrest's innocence and good nature is juxtaposed with the...

Study Guide for Forrest Gump

Forrest Gump study guide contains a biography of Edward Abbey, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Forrest Gump
• Forrest Gump Summary
• Character List
• Director's Influence

Essays for Forrest Gump

Forrest Gump essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Forrest Gump by Edward Abbey.

• How Disability Can Enable Us: Examining Irony in the Film Forrest Gump

Home — Essay Samples — Entertainment — Forrest Gump — Movie Review: Forrest Gump

Movie Review: Forrest Gump

• Categories: Forrest Gump Movie Review

About this sample

Words: 1283 |

Published: Dec 18, 2018

Words: 1283 | Pages: 3 | 7 min read

Table of contents

Forrest gump outline, forrest gump essay example, introduction.

• Introduction of the movie "Forrest Gump"
• Mention of main characters and narrative style

Forrest Gump's Character

• Description of Forrest Gump's personality and characteristics
• His loving nature and protective instincts
• The impact of his mother on his life
• Forrest's struggles with mental retardation and physical handicaps
• Bullying experiences at school

Jenny Curran

• Jenny's role as Forrest's childhood friend
• The traumatic events in Jenny's life and their consequences
• Jenny's complicated relationship with Forrest

Other Characters

• Introduction of Dan Taylor and his transformation
• The theme of death and its impact on Forrest
• Forrest's encounters with different people throughout his life

Plot Summary

• Overview of the movie's plot and narrative structure
• Forrest's journey from childhood to adulthood
• His achievements and challenges
• The recurring theme of life, destiny, and acceptance

Themes and Symbolism

• Discussion of key themes in the movie, including perseverance and acceptance
• Analysis of the feather as a symbol of destiny and luck

Works Cited

• Curnutt, K. (Ed.). (2011). The Forrest Gump Reader. University of Alabama Press.
• Fensch, T. (2002). The Man Behind Forrest Gump: The Forrest Gump Movie, Winston Groom, and the Making of an American Icon. Taylor Trade Publishing.
• Groom, W. (2010). Forrest Gump. Vintage.
• Jarvie, I. C. (2008). Life as Sport: What Top Athletes Can Teach You about How to Win in Life. Sterling Publishing.
• Lyden, J. (2011). Film as Religion: Myths, Morals, and Rituals. NYU Press.
• McGowan, T. (2008). The Impossible David Lynch. Columbia University Press.
• Morris, N. (2002). Forrest Gump: A Novel. Ballantine Books.
• Pauly, T. H. (2008). Game on, Hollywood!: Essays on the Intersection of Video Games and Cinema. McFarland.
• Smith, S. A. (2004). In Search of Forrest Gump: Understanding the Mind of a Simpleton. iUniverse.
• Thompson, J. B. (2011). Movies and Meaning: An Introduction to Film. Pearson.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr Jacklynne

Verified writer

• Expert in: Entertainment

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

7.5 pages / 3441 words

4.5 pages / 2006 words

5.5 pages / 2615 words

4 pages / 1710 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Forrest Gump, a beloved character in the eponymous film, has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide with his endearing personality and remarkable life story. However, beneath the surface of his charming demeanor lies a [...]

Stay tuned as we delve into the themes of love and relationships, identity and self-discovery, and war and patriotism in Forrest Gump, exploring the rich tapestry of emotions and ideas that make this film a true cinematic [...]

Forrest Gump is a classic film that has captured the hearts of audiences around the world. The story follows the life of a man with a low IQ but a kind heart, who experiences a series of extraordinary events throughout the [...]

Director Robert Zemeckis’s film Forrest Gump is full of cinematographic elements that enhance the viewers’ understanding of the characters and the plot that they add to. The casting and personalities of the characters are [...]

To be an American hero, you must be selfless, helpful, and willing to go out of your way to keep people safe. This ties into many movies made all over America, and even some songs and television shows. I chose to connect this [...]

Movies are a great way of entertain ourselves, to break out from truth for a little while and be a part of characters on an adventure of one form or another. Yet movies are additionally an excellent way for us to learn [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free