The Gift Of Friendship Study Guide

In his last words to the school, William Forrester said, “Most of you are too young to know what your wishes will be. But when I read these words - words of hope, dreams - I realize that the one wish that was granted to me, so late in life, was the gift of friendship”. In this movie, Jamal goes from the ghetto, to becoming one of the best writers of his time. His curiosity and peer pressure got him breaking into an old mans apartment, but he did not know that old man was the author of a bestselling novel. When Jamal tries to escape after being caught he leaves behind his backpack which he eventually gets back with great revisions. Jamal goes back and asks for revision on his other papers and eventually these two very different characters form a strong friendship and they both transform. His high test scores got him into a new private school where he learned about new types of people and grew from it. Jamal's new friend William helped him through his new conflicts that are created and saves him from getting kicked out of his new school.

When Jamal was peer pressured into breaking into Williams apartment, he did not realize that the old man looking through the window, was an author that wrote a best selling book. Jamal realized this and asked him for help with his writing for school and eventually they became friends, completely transforming Jamals life. “Both men defy the assumptions they initially made for each other. . .” (Movielocity, 2001, p. 1). Jamal and William both transformed based on the experiences they have with one another. When it was revealed that Jamal was smart, he was offered to go into a new school. When he enrolled at the new school his life transformed, he met new characters and faced new challenges. “Forrester brings out Jamal’s intelligence while Jamal brings Forrester back to life.” (Movielocity, 2001, p. 3). This shows that the trade off Jamal and William had for each other paid