Essay on Forrest Gump: A Tale of Social Change in 20th Century America

Introduction

Forrest Gump is a 1994 film that follows the life of Gump. Gump interacts with some of the most significant cultural influencers of the 20th century, such as Elvis Presley and Abbie Hoffman. Furthermore, he exposes the Watergate scandal and witnesses the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. At first glance, Forrest Gump appears to be a conservative film that refocuses society on fundamental values. However, some critics argue that the film lays more emphasis on the social aspects of culture rather than the political facets. I argue that Forrest Gump is a conservative political film that re-imagines events of the 20th century.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Literature Review

Recent scholarship addressing Forrest Gump discusses post society's attempts to re-imagine and reconstruct history. Both articles highlight the depiction of disability in movies and social aspects of culture in the 20th century, according to filmmakers. "History re-remembered: Forest Gump, Post-Feminist Masculinity and the burial of counterculture" (1996) by Thomas Byers argues that Forrest Gump was society's attempts to re-write history. The second article, "Disability Portrayal in films: Reflecting the Past, Directing the Future" (1998) by Stephen Safran, argues that from the early 1930s, Hollywood began making films with disabled characters. These films create awareness of disability within society. Thomas Byers and Stephen Safran agree that the 20th century saw increased attempts by the film industry to alter the society's interests and beliefs. Thomas explorers historical events that shaped America, such as the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, growth of the hippie culture, female empowerment, and the civil rights movement, according to Forrest Gump (Byers, 1996). Stephen Safran, on the other hand, explorers the introduction of physically challenged characters and stories in Hollywood and the impact of these characters, such as Forrest Gump on society's perceptions of disability(Safran, 1998). I agree with both articles that Forrest Gump played a critical role in re-imagining society.

Analysis

Forrest Gump offers White Americans an opportunity to construct their position in society and recreate historical events to favor them (Wang, 2000). For example, Gump participates in the Vietnam War and saves his comrades when under attack; he receives a scholarship due to his running talent and goes on to become a kick turner for the All American team. Gump's army heroics align with other films attempts to remind society of the brace white man. Other efforts include the creation of characters such as Rocky and Rambo. Additionally, Gump weds his lover Jenny, and after her death, he raises their son alone. This image positions the white male as family-oriented. The 20th century saw increased racist attacks against African Americans. After the abolishment of slavery, segregation was institutionalized (Lipsitz, 2019). Therefore, there were separate entrances, vehicles, and schools for each race. To ensure adherence to this rule, signs had signs indicating which race had access to the facility. Relationships between members of different races were discouraged. Forrest Gump sanitizes the racist image of the white man by forming a close relationship with Bubba, an African American. They become such good friends that they plan to open a joint business together. Even after Bubba's passing, Gump opens a shrimp business in his honor. Additionally, there are no visible signs that highlight segregated areas.

To further cement the superior nature of the white man, Gump offers closure to historical events that portray white men negatively (Byers, 1996). Furthermore, Gump depicts the contemporary white man as more educated to the traditional white man. This enlightenment enables him to shed off negative white supremacy traits and relate with African Americans as equals. The recreates the social hierarchy to reassert the superiority of the white man. For example, Bubba loses his life in war while Gump survives. Jenny, Gump's lover, loses her independence after suffering from a virus. Her death signifies the temporary nature of female independence.

Forrest Gump encourages society to adopt conservative views. The 20th century saw several radical changes in the American social system. For example, women became increasingly accepted in the workplace. Additionally, women began demanding equal pay with men at the workplace. These changes threatened the position of men as the providers of the family. Additionally, the family structure changed, with an increase in the number of single-parent families. Alternative religions were increasingly accepted; for example, John F. Kennedy, a catholic, became president. Rock music entered the mainstream media with singers and bands such as The Beatles and Elvis Presley captivating the nation.

Rock artists were known abusers of drugs (Wellmann, 1978). Rock artist's fans mimicked them, leading to an exponential increase in drug abuse within the United States. Baby boomers arrived on the political stage in the 1960s. They were more politically aware and brave in comparison to the older generations. Therefore, they held several demonstrations protesting government policies such as the Vietnamese war and segregation. The hippie culture came into existence in the 20th century. Hippies were open to sexual exploration. In addition, they encouraged the use of drugs and altering the family structure. The hippie culture would lay the ground for more closeted individuals to come out as gay. In Forrest Gump, Jenny symbolizes the liberation and drastic changes that occur in society. Initially, she is not keen on marriage; therefore, she leaves Gump signifying female independence. Her death and that of other liberal figures such as John F. Kennedy and John Lennon symbolize the end of alternative culture and a return to American traditions.

Films influence perceptions and stereotypes of their viewers. In the early 1990s, there were few movies with disabled characters. Films that had disabled characters gave them minor parts such as the eternal child or victim (Safran, 1998). However, over the years, disabled characters have taken up prominent roles. In Forrest Gumb, for instance, the main character has a mental disability and is born having a curved spine. Films also propagate stereotypes about people with disabilities. For example, according to Rain Man, autistic people have extraordinary mental abilities. However, movies are essential tools in educating society and creating acceptance of disabled individuals. Portraying physically and mentally challenged individuals as heroes encourage social interactions at the family level. Therefore, films play a critical role in redefining disability perceptions.

On the other hand, one may argue that Forrest Gump is an idealist film. Through the film, humanity gets a second chance to re-write history. The film reminds humans of the fundamental values that ensure peace and stability in society. These are equality, tolerance, social awareness, and respect. Gump embodies these characters, hence enabling create a friendship with an African American. Also, in Gump's recollection, there is no racial segregation. Forgiveness plays a crucial role in overcoming historical injustices and starting the process of reconciliation. To this end, Gump reconciles with his wife and raises his son.

Conclusion

Films play a critical role in society. They create awareness and remind the community of its history. However, the goals of a movie will vary depending on the viewers. For example, American conservatives insist that Forrest Gump was a wake call to Americans to re-examine their society. On the other hand, liberals argue that it reaffirms qualities such as tolerance, sexual liberalization, equality, and respect. However, I believe that Forrest Gump encourages the creation of a conservative society.

References

Byers, T. B. (1996). History re-membered: Forrest Gump, Postfeminist masculinity and the burial of the counterculture. MFS Modern Fiction Studies, 42(2), 419-444.

Lipsitz, G. (2019). The white possessive and whiteness studies. Kalfou, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.15367/kf.v6i1.229

Safran, S. P. (1998). Disability portrayal in film: Reflecting the past, directing the future. Exceptional Children, 64(2), 227-238. https://doi.org/10.1177/001440299806400206

Safran, S. P. (1998). The first century of disability portrayal in film. The Journal of Special Education, 31(4), 467-479. https://doi.org/10.1177/002246699803100404

Wang, J. H. (2000). "A struggle of contending Stories": Race, gender, and political memory in Forrest Gump. Cinema Journal, 39(3), 92-115. https://doi.org/10.1353/cj.2000.0009

Wellmann, K. F. (1978). North American Indian rock art and hallucinogenic drugs. JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 239(15), 1524. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1978.03280420060019