Themes & Lessons
Most movies and books have a theme or lesson to teach the reader in the case of Forrest Gump I think that the main lesson is about destiny. Destiny has a large role in the movie, Forrest thinks that destiny just ‘floats around on a breeze’ and your destiny can change depending on anything. Lt. Dan believes that your destiny is set in stone and can’t or shouldn’t be changed, this is shown by his story of his family dying in each war and later when he’s rescued, batting at Forrest and telling him this isn’t his destiny. After the war his idea of destiny is ruined and doesn’t make sense anymore due to his unwanted survival. |
As Mrs. Gump was on her death bed she tells Forrest that you ‘happen to make your own destiny’, which seems very true when considering Forrest’s life and how he has gone out and done something and that something has led to another something, he didn’t just sit back and wait for his destiny to happen. This quote could inspire viewers to believe the same thing as Forrest, go out, make a life and destiny of your own, rather than sitting back and waiting for something to happen.
Apart from destiny another key lesson is to keep your promises. Something that Forrest does extremely well and keeps in a high regard. Throughout the movie Forrest makes many promises to fellow friends, lovers and family.
When Forrest meets up with Jenny just before going away to Vietnam Jenny tells him ‘Don’t try and be a hero, you just run’ and that is exactly what he did. He also keeps his promise to Bubba and starts up a shrimping business in his place even Lt. Dan keeps his promise to come and be Forrest’s first mate.
Apart from destiny another key lesson is to keep your promises. Something that Forrest does extremely well and keeps in a high regard. Throughout the movie Forrest makes many promises to fellow friends, lovers and family.
When Forrest meets up with Jenny just before going away to Vietnam Jenny tells him ‘Don’t try and be a hero, you just run’ and that is exactly what he did. He also keeps his promise to Bubba and starts up a shrimping business in his place even Lt. Dan keeps his promise to come and be Forrest’s first mate.