essay forrest gump

Forrest Gump

by Robert Zemeckis

• Forrest Gump Summary

In 1981, Forrest Gump is sitting on a bench at a bus stop, and he has decided to tell his life story to a nurse who is sitting on the bench next to him. As a young boy, Forrest wore leg braces because he had a curved spine and was unable to walk properly. He grew up in a boarding house in Alabama with his mother, who taught him to always believe in himself, in spite of his physical limitations. Additionally, Forrest has a below-average IQ. To get him accepted into a public school, Forrest’s mother agreed to sleep with the principal in exchange for Forrest's admission.

In flashback, Forrest meets Jenny Curran on the first day of school on the bus. The two become fast friends and they spend all their time together. Jenny is beautiful and a good friend to Forrest, but she struggles at home with a sexually abusive father. One day, when a group of children start bullying Forrest, Jenny tells him to run and he runs away, outrunning the bullies. In the process, his leg braces miraculously fall off his legs.

As time passes, Forrest and Jenny remain good friends. In high school, while running from some bullies, Forrest gets noticed by a football scout and accepted into college on a sports scholarship. During this time, the college gets desegregated and a number of black students are admitted, a historic event at which Forrest is present.

Forrest ends up meeting President Kennedy after getting recruited onto the All-American football team. After graduation, he joins the army and meets a friend at boot camp, Bubba, a young black man whose one dream is to start a shrimping business.

Forrest has an easy life in the army because he listens well and follows orders. While in the army, Forrest finds out that Jenny was expelled from college because she posed nude in a magazine wearing her school sweeter. Forrest goes to find Jenny in Memphis, where she is singing naked at a strip club. Forrest tells Jenny he loves her and that he is being sent to Vietnam.

In Vietnam, Forrest and Bubba are put under the command of Lieutenant Dan , an army officer who has had an ancestor die in every American war. The platoon in which Forrest serves gets attacked and Bubba is killed. In the midst of the attack, Forrest goes back and retrieves all his fellow soldiers, which wins him a medal of honor. He even saves Lieutenant Dan, even though Dan was intent on dying in battle, like his ancestors.

Forrest is sent to an army hospital after taking a bullet to his rear end in the battle. There, he is in a bed next to Lieutenant Dan, who lost both his legs in the attack. At the hospital, Forrest starts playing ping pong and is really good at it. Back in Washington, after receiving a medal of honor, Forrest is pulled into an anti-war demonstration where he runs into Jenny, who has become a hippie radical. She is also in an abusive relationship, which Forrest tries to protect her from to no avail.

Forrest plays ping pong internationally, and when he returns to New York to interview about his athletic prowess, he runs into Lieutenant Dan, who is in a wheelchair and living on disability. He stays with Dan for the winter holidays and the two of them become close. When Forrest tells Dan about his plans to buy a shrimp boat, Dan laughs at him and sarcastically tells him that if his dream ever comes true, he will be Forrest's first mate. Meanwhile, Jenny gets addicted to drugs and continues to go from one abusive relationship to another.

Forrest is discharged from the army and is asked to endorse a ping pong paddle, which earns him $25,000. With this money, he buys a shrimping boat, keeping his promise to Bubba. He names the boat Jenny, but has little success with it. Dan keeps his promise to Forrest and he joins him in his shrimping endeavors.

When Hurricane Carmen destroys all the boats except for the "Jenny," Forrest becomes a successful shrimper. Immediately after his success comes, Forrest discovers his mother is dying of cancer, and he returns home to her. Dan invests Forrest’s part of the money into Apple Computers, earning Forrest a fortune.

One day, Jenny visits Forrest and stays with him for a while. When Forrest proposes to her, she declines, but they end up having sex that night. The next day, Jenny leaves Forrest.

Distraught, Forrest starts running around the country without stopping, except to sleep and eat. His persistent running turns him into a celebrity, and he even catches Jenny's attention.

When the scene shifts back to the present on the bench at the bus stop, Forrest tells the woman sitting next to him that he is in Savannah to visit Jenny, who wrote to him. When Forrest goes to see Jenny, she introduces him to her son, Forrest. Jenny tells Forrest that the boy is his and that she is sick with an unknown virus.

The three move to Greenbow and Jenny and Forrest get married. Dan comes to the wedding with his fiancé. Dan is no longer in a wheelchair, but has prosthetic legs.

Forrest lives happily with Jenny and Forrest Jr., but Jenny eventually dies. The last scene in the film shows Forrest sending Forrest Jr. to the bus on his first day of school.

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
• 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

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?

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Movie Reviews

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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.

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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

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Forrest Gump

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What happened to Forrest’s father? How might his life have been different if he’d been raised by two parents?

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Discuss how Forrest’s relationship with Jenny changes over the course of the book.

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Movie Analysis Essay Sample: Forrest Gump

Challenging Intelligence in one of Hollywood’s revolutionary films. Forrest Gump, a 1994 film directed by Robert Zemeckis starring Tom Hanks and Robin Wright distributed by Paramount Pictures, is merely a narration by mentally challenged Forrest in which he recites his story chronologically, oblivious to the measure of achievements he’d accomplished. Having met three presidents of the United States, inspired Elvis Presley’s infamous dance, fought bravely in Vietnam, and became a world star Ping-pong champ. In addition, being rendered as a witness to the Watergate scandal survived Hurricane Carmen, and owned Bubba Gump shrimp ensuing him to be a “gazillionaire”. Moreover, invested in Apple and ran for 3 years, 2 months, 14 days, and 16 hours. Having worn many shoes in his life, Innocent Forrest lost the few people he had along the way, except for Jenny. The sole reoccurring figure in his life made chaotic decisions that led to her leaving 4 times to, unbeknownst to Forrest, protect him from herself. After concluding his tale, He reveals to the invested strangers that his next destination is a reunion with Jenny. With a box of chocolate in hand, he runs into being enlightened about his son and her health. He vows to take care of them. But shortly after, Forrest loses the one thing he loved most but gains another. Although viewers might assume Forrest Gump is a superficial tale about an individual with a low IQ, the film is also a criticism of society’s obsession with intelligence and control by enacting a character’s success with inverse traits. 

Consideration and leniency aren’t what society’s renowned for, rather a reputation of cruelty. Permanently in need of excessive commands to keep its fragile balance stable. Carrying the name of the KKK founder consequently didn’t account for the finest start for Forrest. Likewise, an IQ of 75 pushed many doors out of his reach consequence of society’s stereotypical and confined perception of intelligence. Referring to Forrest as “Stupid” occurs 18 times in the film with “Stupid is as stupid does” being his response each time. And that is what he ascertained. Accomplishing what no other person could by using his “flaw” of giving up control to his advantage. In all his endeavors, he never gave much thought to anything, making society’s main concern his greatest strength. For instance, when prompted about his future after graduation, the puzzled expression evident on his face verified that. Merely obliging instruction is what sets him apart. Hence, why none of his ventures were ever premeditated and just happen to find him; Joining the army, catching shrimp, and even playing ping pong were all decisions crafted for him. The sole choice he made independently was to run, without it holding a deep-rooted significance, just simply for the sake of running. bewilderment was people’s thoughts on this notion. “They couldn’t believe someone would do all that running for no particular reason” Gump’s simple approach to life allowed him to decipher its complexities. And as he kept on running, people did what they do best and followed behind, with the need to find meaning in something meaningless.

Meaningful symbolism forms everywhere in existence. Throughout the whole of Forrest Gump, symbolic parallels criticizing society’s facade are traced with simple yet telling camerawork and editing. A barbershop, two people fishing, and a guy reading a newspaper are reoccurring scenes for the duration of the film, each time having a negative stance on Forrest’s actions. However, as time goes on the people in said scenes never seem to achieve anything, simply bound to the same condition for years while judging others’ expeditions. Thus, in an expose of their deception, Zemeckis uses Hank’s remarkable acting skills to portray the cell that most people have willingly put themselves in through blindly abiding by society without a second thought. Using Forrest’s characteristics and an extreme case of relinquishment to plea people to awaken out of captivity. 

By embodying the traits deemed unfit by society and succeeding anyways, Forrest Gump shows viewers how crippling the chains of society are. Therefore, encouraging people to surrender control to some extent to experience life through a new lens, a much freer lens. Destiny is a debate in the film, whether you make it, or it’s made for you, Forrest demonstrates that battling for absolute control is not, and will never be, a factor of your triumph against destiny. It is the biggest held back that stands between people and their dreams. Hence, being consumed by the urge to control robs you away from relishing life’s beauty. Never appreciating “the stars in Vietnam after 4 months of rain”, “the sun going to bed on the bayou”, or “the clear mountain lake sky” Forrest Gump is screening the remedy to the deadliest pandemic that will wipe out humanity if ignored.

In conclusion, Forrest Gump is more than just a tale for entertainment. It is a proposition to evaluate our ways of living. Viewing control as a need will halt one’s growth, leaving no room for development, and strip them from finding pleasure in the small details. Forrest’s life is a fairytale that we should admire and apply to our reality rationally. Nonetheless, the excessive approach used by Zemeckis only serves to illustrate the urgency in which humanity needs a change of action before it is futile.

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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

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Social Theories and Concepts in Forrest Gump Essay (Movie Review)

“Forrest Gump” is a movie that narrates the story of a man from the time he is a child up to the time he is a grown up working in a shrimp boat. The movie presents the audience with a chronological sequence of events that begin from 1960s to date. Therefore, the movie has several sociological ties with this period and the main character’s life.

The main character in the movie is Forrest Gump. The movie focuses on Gump’s experiences with government, racism, poverty, mass media, and politics among other things. The film’s unfolding events are revealed through Gump’s first person narration. The film’s main themes include child abuse, racism, poverty, gender roles, culture, and family violence. This essay explores some of the themes and characters in “Forrest Gump” and how they relate to social psychology.

One of the most prominent social theories that can be related to this film is symbolic interactionism. The main argument behind this theoretical concept is that the actions of people can only be well understood through meaningful communication.

The main character in this movie goes through a hard time in his formative years. He faces discrimination from both teachers and students in his first school. This discrimination is centered on the fact that Gump has low IQ and suffers from a disability, conditions that make him misunderstood by the rest of the community.

The fact that he cannot express himself to his detractors makes the situation worse for Gump. The only time there is an attempt to initiate direct communication on Gump’s behalf is when his mother confronts the school principal and insists that there is nothing that makes Gump unfit to attend Greenbow County Central School. According to symbolic interactionism theory, only direct communication makes people’s actions understandable.

When Gump grows up the discrimination against him subsides because he can now be able to communicate with those who misunderstood him earlier. In the movie, it is clear that the torment and isolation that Forrest Gump had experienced as a child reduces as he grows older. Moreover, the only way Gump is able to make a solid and sincere friend in Jenny is by being able to communicate with her directly.

According to role theory, our behavior as human beings is determined by our own expectations and those of other people in the society. This theory is both exemplified and contradicted in “Forrest Gump”. As a child, other people do not expect Forrest Gump to achieve much.

However, Gump is able to focus on his own expectations and those of the American society. In the end, Gump is an accomplished athlete, military man, spiritual leader, and entrepreneur. However, Gump contradicts several expectations from his own society by decrying racism and rising above discrimination and isolation. The role theory also asserts that people spend a considerable amount of their lifetime being part of groups.

Jenny spends most of her time as part of the ‘hippie’ movement. According to the movie, Jenny is also a member of an illegal organization known as the Black Panther Party. Moreover, role theory specifies that people always assume different roles and occupy various positions in these groups. Gump is involved in the activities of various groups and organizations where he assumes different roles. For instance, he assumes the leadership of his military group and he is eventually granted a medal of honor.

The social constructionism concept holds that individuals and groups form their own reality. This concept explores the dynamics of institutions and actions without necessarily analyzing their cause and effect. The reality that is formed by the film’s main character falls under this concept. In one scene, Gump and his friend Jenny are being chased by bullies. Suddenly, the braces in Gump’s legs fall off and this is when he realizes he is better off without the braces.

Before this occurrence, Gump’s reality was that he could not perform well without the braces. However, this reality is challenged by the actual reality. The same concept applies to Gump’s relationship with Jenny. Gump believes that their love is eternal but this reality keeps being challenged by several other realities including Jenny’s drug abuse and emotional imbalance. According to social constructionism theorists, socially constructed notions are not always true.

For instance, the union between Jenny and Gump is a reality that only exists during certain periods. The same case applies to Gump’s friend Dan who is convinced that Gump erred by saving his life. In the beginning, Dan is convinced that it would have been better if he had died in the war front. However, later on in the movie, another reality occurs to him and he thanks Gump for saving his life.

Another social psychological notion that is paraded in “Forrest Gump” is deviance. According to social psychology, deviance is a behavior that contradicts the accepted social norms. In this movie, deviance can be exemplified through the actions of various characters. For instance, Jenny’s involvement in the hippie movement and her subsequent drug abuse can be interpreted as deviant behaviors. Social psychology scholars explain the source of deviance using several theories.

In Jenny’s case, her deviant behavior would best be explained using strain theory. This means that Jenny picked up her deviance because of her social environment. Unlike Gump, Jenny came from a poor and abusive background. However, she was still expected to achieve the same goals as other kids from wealthy backgrounds. The strain involved in achieving her goals might have caused her to rebel.

The self-concept is also well explored in this film. Self-concept is the result of self process. It is through self-process that individuals are able to identify themselves. The narrator in this movie uses first person narration and is able to reveal several self-concepts. For instance, in the beginning of the movie he is shown narrating his life to strangers who are seated in a park bench.

In this narration, he arrives at various conclusions about his identity. In essence, this narration offers a ‘snap-shot’ of Forrest Gump. The effectiveness of Gump’s narration is aided by the fact that human beings can be able to talk about themselves as they would about an inanimate object such as a chair. This is according to self-concept. In addition, it is through this concept that Gump is able to delve into his self-identity and conduct self-evaluations.

Although “Forrest Gump” was supposed to be a film about the life of one man, the movie managed to delve into various social theories and concepts. By exploring the film’s plot and characters, one is able to unearth several social theories and concepts. Some of the theories contained in this film aid in character and theme development. The film’s maker is also able to present wholesome characters by borrowing on several social concepts.

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IvyPanda. (2023, October 28). Social Theories and Concepts in Forrest Gump. https://ivypanda.com/essays/social-theories-and-concepts-in-forrest-gump/

"Social Theories and Concepts in Forrest Gump." IvyPanda , 28 Oct. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/social-theories-and-concepts-in-forrest-gump/.

IvyPanda . (2023) 'Social Theories and Concepts in Forrest Gump'. 28 October.

IvyPanda . 2023. "Social Theories and Concepts in Forrest Gump." October 28, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/social-theories-and-concepts-in-forrest-gump/.

1. IvyPanda . "Social Theories and Concepts in Forrest Gump." October 28, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/social-theories-and-concepts-in-forrest-gump/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Social Theories and Concepts in Forrest Gump." October 28, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/social-theories-and-concepts-in-forrest-gump/.

• Forrest Gump by Robert Zemeckis
• "Forrest Gump": Professionalism in Production
• Forrest Gump Character Analysis
• Disability Representation in "Forrest Gump"
• Mental Retardation in the Movie "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
• Conditioning Theory by B.F. Skinner
• Erik Erikson’s Identity Theory
• How Do the Research Findings of Cognitive, Developmental and Social Psychology Apply to Real World Issues?
• The Concept of Self or Identity
• Eysenck Theories’ Analysis

CinemaBlend

Is Forrest Gump Really A Good Movie?

Posted: April 6, 2024 | Last updated: April 6, 2024

I've spent the past five years of my life having the same argument with Sean O'Connell, who also works here if you're new to the site. He is convinced "Forrest Gump" sucks. Like he doesn't think it's overrated. He thinks it's a legitimately terrible movie that's offensive to people from the South, has structural problems and is one of Tom Hanks' worst career performances. He hates Jenny. He hates people who say "Run Forrest Run", and he thinks it's real dumb that he just sits on a bench the whole movie. I happen to like "Forrest Gump." I'm not going to say it's the best movie ever, but it's a great watch filled with fun music, poignant moments, enjoyable nostalgia and a good amount of shrimp conversation. Lieutenant Dan is also an all-time great character. When it shows up on cable, I watch at least twenty minutes of it every time. Would I do that if it sucks? No. Because it does not suck. It is mostly the opposite of suck.

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How I Tricked My Brain Into Liking Running

When your mind hates running even more than your body does, you have to strategize.

By Erik Vance

It’s common knowledge in my household that Monday at 5:55 a.m. is the worst time of the week. That’s because Monday is a running day, and I hate running.

I have always hated running. In elementary school, I dreaded the mile run test and was always in the back with my fellow gym class rejects. In college, I was the only baseball player who could stretch a double into a single.

I’m 6 feet 7 inches tall and overly leggy, with knees that wobble in six different directions when I run. And yet, it’s crucial — especially in middle age — to challenge one’s body with a little intense exercise every week.

I don’t have access to a pool or lake, my ceilings are too low for trampolines and doing more than one HIIT workout per week quickly gets boring. Running offers intensity while distracting me with pretty scenery. Besides, 20 minutes later, I feel amazing.

After years of tinkering with ways to start running, I have finally come up with a three-part recipe for learning to tolerate this horrible form of exercise.

But before you start, make sure you are doing fun movements on other days. If your only exercise is running and, like me, you hate it, you won’t stick with it. Walk if you like that, swim if it’s your jam. I have a kickboxing dummy, a pull-up bar and some battle ropes that I genuinely look forward to using. Don’t make every workout a slog.

Hack No. 1: Reprogram your brain.

In past stories for the Well desk, we have mentioned the importance of “ reward bundling .” That’s a fancy term for treating yourself every time you do something that you don’t want to. But what we haven’t said is that reward bundling can actually train your brain as if you were a drooling dog.

Here’s how it works: One of my favorite podcasts is a movie review show called “The Rewatchables,” with Bill Simmons. I listen so often that I feel like Bill and his crew are actually my friends. But I never allow myself to listen unless I am running or getting ready to run. Ever.

This was essential, because in the short term, I started to look forward to running just so I could hang out with my imaginary friends and get their takes on “Forrest Gump” or whatever. And over time, something strange happened. I would wake up feeling dead set against running, flip on the podcast and suddenly be in the mood.

Psychologists call this either “classical conditioning” or “that thing that Ivan Pavlov did to his dogs when he pressed a buzzer before dinnertime .” Eventually, every time he did, the dog drooled. Humans are susceptible to this as well; it’s a key part of the placebo effect and modern marketing .

“I love it, it’s like a ritual,” Dr. Luana Colloca, a psychology professor at the University of Maryland and an expert in classical conditioning and placebo effects, said of my method.

Dr. Colloca said that she does something similar, except with smell. Every time she starts a Peloton session, she lights a lemon-scented candle. Now, just smelling that scent subtly puts her in the mood to ride.

Even when she’s not really feeling like exercising, she said, “it’s sort of an automatic response.”

Hack No. 2: Take breaks, but follow the plan.

I was raised to believe that runners run. They don’t walk — that’s for walkers. So I usually run up the small hill near my house and then down a big hill. But on the way back up that monster, I occasionally (OK, fine, almost always) walk.

Every time I slow down or rest, it feels and sounds like failure, often because I’m muttering expletives. But Chris Beedie, a sports psychologist and professor at Kent University, said that I need to realign my thinking.

“We’re not living in the 1970s anymore. There’s no ‘walking is a sign of weakness,’” he chided. “It’s a structured part of your movement.”

If you want to go for a 40-minute run, Mr. Beedie said, plan your timed breaks beforehand, perhaps every 10 minutes. Or plan to take them whenever your heart rate rises to a certain level or when you reach a hill.

Almost all of the serious marathoners he talks to take breaks at some point, and those breaks can even make for faster times overall. However, stopping altogether is not great for the body, he said, so I should try to at least walk. And presumably save my breath by not cursing at the pavement.

Hack No. 3: Get a dog.

Some days, even podcasts and promises of breaks aren’t enough to get me out the door. For that, I have Snitch, a slightly dopey, highly enthusiastic dog who waits at my door every Monday at 5:55 a.m.

Snitch needs exercise like Cookie Monster needs sugar , and if I don’t take her running, there’s a good chance she will take it out on my shoes.

Research suggests that dog owners (especially ones in Scandinavia ) may live longer than the rest of us, presumably because furry friends make us happier and more active. And while some are skeptical of this , I would argue it’s all about the kind of dog you get.

If you are looking for a running partner pet, I recommend a breed that’s athletic, but not too athletic. A pug is no good, but don’t make my mistake either. Snitch is a husky/beagle/gazelle mix who once lasted 16 miles on a set of mountain trails and looked ready for another 16. She’s exhausting. Find a middle ground — friendly with a dash of lazy.

In the end, I can’t promise that you will ever come to enjoy running. I’ve been doing it for two years now and I still mostly hate it. But every now and then, with the sun coming over the mountains, my buddy Bill in my ear and Snitch frolicking like an unhinged hyena at my side, I’m glad I made the effort.

Erik Vance is a staff editor for The Times’s Well desk, where he focuses on coverage of fitness and a healthy lifestyle. More about Erik Vance

A Guide to Becoming a Better Runner

Training to run a marathon? Here’s how to get ready . Preparing to run a shorter distance ? Here is some guidance .

Starting a new running habit  doesn’t have to be hard — all it takes is comfortable shoes, a willingness to move and the right food to fuel up .

Whether you’re an experienced runner  or don’t know where to start, a running routine is critical. These tips will help you establish one .

Are you lacing up your running shoes after a long break? Follow these tips to get your groove back .

Shin splints. Achilles tendinitis. Runner’s knee. Dangers abound for runners, but there are ways to prevent them .

You don’t need to run fast to consider yourself an athlete. A slower pace can actually be more beneficial to your mental health .

Home — Essay Samples — Entertainment — Forrest Gump — Forrest Gump Developmental Disability

Forrest Gump Developmental Disability

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Words: 483 |

Published: Mar 5, 2024

Words: 483 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

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