Kindness In Forrest Gump

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Kindness in Times of Tragedy Forrest Gump, directed by Robert Zemeckis, is the tale of a slow-witted man that finds himself entangled in some of the twentieth century’s largest moments, and in the process finds happiness in life. The obvious message that the movie sends out is brought up several times within the film, that fate works in mysteries ways. Its up to the audience member to decide whether or not that it is a random sequence of events or a destined path that one must travel. Though it is the over arching theme of the movie, many more minute, but equally important themes are woven into this timeless story. Not focusing on the historical events of the movie but rather the characters themselves one finds such a theme. It delivers …show more content…

Jenny is perhaps the best example for this theme of caring for people regardless of their past or their choices. The film paints Jenny as the embodiment of counter culture of America during the mid twentieth century. Though Forrest is not directly exposed to this information, the viewer sees Jenny go through abuse, drug use, mental health issues including suicidal tendencies, and what is assumed to be prostitution. These activities are looked down upon by society, those who partake in such actions are often seen as lost causes and not worth showing love to. Even though Jenny had done some things that the world condemns as deplorable, Forrest loves her the same way as the first time he laid eyes on her. These things do not matter to him; he comforts and gets her back on her feet even though she has broken his heart a countless amount of times. Forrest still sees the good in her, he becomes the films way of personifying true kindness. Even when she contracts AIDS, he was by her side until her dying breath. When the movie was released AIDS was still a rather hot button issue that people were deathly afraid of because no one quite understood what it was, leading to awful stigmas. This leads one to see that the film is demonstrating that regardless of things that happen in a person’s past, one must always find compassion and love because more

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