Essay About Forrest Gump

What is sociological imagination? Our textbook describes sociological imagination as the ability to see our private experiences, personal difficulties, and achievements as, in part, a reflection of the structural arrangements of society and the times in which we live. The movie entitled Forrest Gump is a great example of sociological imagination. In this paper, I will cite examples from the movie and tell how they correlate with sociological imagination. Sociological imagination allows us examine the events of our lives and see how they intersect with the wider context of history and tradition of the society

Directed by Robert Zemeckis and based on the book by Winston Groom, Forrest Gump follows the life of an Alabama native with an IQ of a mere 75, whose entire life is spread against the backdrop of many iconic American events, such as JFK, Vietnam, and Watergate. Tom Hanks plays the simple yet loveable titular character, Forrest Gump, and his quest to be with the love of his life, Jenny (Robin Wright). The film begins in the late 1950’s with a very young Forrest Gump living in Greenbow, Alabama, where he lives with his mother, Mrs. Gump (Sally Field), who always managed to give him memorable phrases to help him out on his life journey, such as “stupid is as stupid does.”

Forrest Gump is one of the greatest movies of all time. It brings together many of the most relevant themes and controversial subjects in modern society. Including some of the most difficult subjects such as; discrimination, racism, war, hardcore drug use, mental trauma, as well as a disease epidemic.

“Life is like a box of chocolate, you never know what you’re going to get” (Hanks). Many times when books are changed into movies they are done incorrectly. Forrest Gump is one of these examples. Forrest Gump, the novel, was written in 1986 by the author Winston Groom. The movie Forrest Gump was created by Paramount Pictures in 1994. Tom Hanks stars as the main character Forrest Gump. The movie portrayed Forrest Gump in a different way and as sometimes more innocent than his character in the book. This is shown in three different ways: Jenny and Forrest’s relationship, Characters’ drug use, and in the book Forrest is involved in more activities and adventures.

The movie Forrest Gump played by Tom Hank is a story about Forest Gump a simple man and his journey through life. Gump was simple minded and lived his life by a set of values taught to him by his mother (Sally Field). While Forest sat down waiting for a bus, he tells his story. Forest takes part in several defining historical moments such as the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal and also had painful experiences. Despite his setbacks and naive nature, he struggles and triumphs in everything he did. Forrest developed a good self-esteem and self-concept with the help of his mother’s observation, love, and sincerity. With his mother and Jenny’s encouragements, he was able to overcome his physical handicap and become an outstanding runner among other things. This movie is an example of the how a child’s mind developed through series of stages. This paper shows the following key points; intellectual disability, Erickson’s intimacy vs isolation, low self-esteem, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

The movie Forrest Gump is about the life events and journey of a man whose name is also the title of the movie. Although Forrest Gump faces many conflicts in his life, however, he never allows any of his problems to stand between the things he wants in his life. As a young kid Forrest had to wear braces on his legs, he had a below average IQ of seventy-five, and later he even got shot in Vietnam during the war, but Forrest Gump was always persistent that better things will happen. This is because while Forrest Gump faces many obstacles in his life, he always manages to turn each bad situation into something better for himself. For example, when Forrest Gump was being chased by his bullies he discovers that he can run faster than most people and gets his braces off from his legs. This skill, being able to run faster than most people, allows Forrest Gump to escape his bullies from his childhood but also helps him to get a football scholarship to college,

In the movie, Forrest Gump, Tom Hanks plays an intellectually handicapped man named Forrest Gump from Greenbow, Alabama. The majority of the movie took place through his recounting of his memories from early childhood all the way up to his current age. This paper looks at Forrest’s ability to communicate, his diligence in a relationship, ability to cope, and his self-perception.

Watching Forrest Gump for the first time I feel that the movie has a little of everything in it, from action and war to love and romance. For one man to overcome so many hardships and live a life full of love and happiness it is inspiring. Each character had something that reached viewers. From Jenny to Lieutenant Dan they all had something that made them easy to connect with. Even the people that sat on the bench next to Forrest created interest; they listened and were in the story for us, but were not truly part of it.

Forrest also loved Jenny for being his only friend when they were kids, and Bubba was his best friend in the military. An example of Forrest;s general kindness was when Forrest was in the army and his squad was attacked; he kept running back to save as many people as he could. His goal was to find Bubba, but he could not let everyone else die. Even when Lieutenant Dan screamed at Forrest, telling him to leave him there to die, Forrest dragged Lt. Dan out of

Forrest Gump was born with a low IQ and a spine condition that impaired his ability to walk. This made him stand out in the small town of

In the film Forrest Gump directed by Robert Zemeckis one of the most inspirational movie characters ever was born, Forrest Gump. Forrest symbolizes the way we wish to deal with the problems we face throughout the course of our lives, and how we would go about solving them if the Universe was on our side. Forrest had 3 essential qualities to separate himself from others. Honesty, integrity, and compassion; if you have these 3 qualities as Forrest did, life will seem to work out for the best. Making it easier to find true happiness.

This film shows a series of events through Gump’s life which he overcomes no matter the difficulty he always sees the brighter side of the situation. Zemeckis displays this theme of hope throughout the movie the same was as Darabont in The Shawshank Redemption through the use of ambitious characters and a strong plot to achieve an emotional connection between his audience and the protagonist. Throughout the duration Gump is marginalised by his low IQ and the braces on his legs which ultimately leave Forrest with no one except his doting mother and love of his life Jenny. Forrest then experiences his first burst of luck as his braces accidently fall off, which then leads to him to discover he is able to run like hell. He then uses this to get through college with a football scholarship, which then transformed to the one thing that can get him through Vietnam.

Forrest Gump is a complex and interesting lead character and provides a unique contrast to typical early adulthood behavior. In the film, from the time he attends college, towards the end of the film where he begins his role as a father, Forrest goes through normal events that occur in the lives of many young adults. His reaction and development is different from most however, and he goes through interesting events and experiences. This contrast between typical life events and a slower than normal development shows that some expectations about cognitive abilities may not be as important. Even those who are considered "slow" by the mainstream population can be successful and live a life full of typical life events that fall within a typical

“Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.” Forrest Gump is the portrayal of a man that has been alienated from society, not because he is unintelligent or dimwitted, but rather because he is not restricted by the conventional ideals which are embedded within his culture; thus, Forrest challenges the conformities and principals that most people are accustomed to. The contrast that Robert Zemeckis, director of the film, is attempting to convey through the character of Forrest Gump is how most people are too smart for there own good; and thus, try to escape the realities and actualities of life. While other characters in the story are suppressed by society’s conflicts, Forrest remains blinded

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 kindness as his shields.