The original reason for choosing this topic in particular was in fact, the main idea of the American Dream, the movie primarily deals with. So, once more I was able to get in touch with the deep routed imagination and values which basically make up American society.
One year ago, when I finished the Foreign Language School in Regensburg, I was really fascinated by having heard so much about, for example, lifestyle, religion and above all cultural details on the second largest continent of the world.
Sometimes people think, living that unlimited American way of life would be the satisfaction of being on earth. At first glance, it might look like this, but it is not always true, especially if you have the chance to delve deeper inside and then you realize the United States of America is not just 50 sparkling stars on our planet, but the country is also a place where you have to fight for your life, for justice and acknowledgement.
Before I start describing Forrest Gump and the way he sees everyone all around him, I have to say that I tried to highlight this work with a short interview with the actor Tom Hanks. Unfortunately, I noticed writing a letter to him which he would have had to answer, would have been too uncertain and furthermore it most probably would have taken too much time. Nevertheless, I did my very best to create a short interesting, expressive dissertation.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- The actor Tom Hanks
- General overview of the movie's gist
- Tom Hanks and his personification of Forrest Gump
- The five main characters
- The character Forrest Gump: an idiot or simply an unexpected genius?
- The contrast between Forrest Gump and Jenny Curran
- General definition of the "American Dream"
- Historical background and the present day situation
- Connection between the film and the basic idea of the "American Dream"
- The Vietnam War - a destruction of the “American Dream”
- Forrest Gump and some key features of American history
- Representation of the “American Dream“ in special scenes
- Praying for shrimps and Gump's donation to Bubba's mother
- Running across America
- Forrest's life fulfillment when finally starting a family
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This seminar paper aims to explore the portrayal of the "American Dream" in Robert Zemeckis' film adaptation of Winston Groom's novel, Forrest Gump. It examines the film's narrative through the lens of Forrest Gump's life journey, contrasting it with societal expectations and historical events. The analysis focuses on how the film both embodies and challenges the traditional understanding of the American Dream.
- The "American Dream" and its evolution throughout American history
- The contrasting life paths of Forrest Gump and Jenny Curran
- Forrest Gump's unexpected success and its relation to luck and perseverance
- The impact of significant historical events on individual lives
- The film's portrayal of societal values and expectations
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. The actor Tom Hanks: This chapter provides biographical information on Tom Hanks, highlighting his career trajectory and his role in shaping the portrayal of Forrest Gump. It touches upon his early life, career struggles, and eventual success, culminating in his Oscar-winning performance in Forrest Gump, emphasizing his connection to the film's themes.
2. General overview of the movie's gist: This section offers a concise synopsis of the Forrest Gump film, emphasizing its unique narrative structure that interweaves Forrest's life story with pivotal moments in American history. It introduces Forrest's character and his relationships, especially with Jenny Curran, establishing the foundation for the subsequent thematic analysis.
3. The character Forrest Gump: an idiot or simply an unexpected genius?: This chapter delves into the complexities of Forrest Gump's character, questioning the initial perception of him as an intellectually challenged individual. It explores his seemingly simple nature, contrasting it with his remarkable achievements and his ability to navigate complex situations, highlighting the film's subtle commentary on intelligence and success.
4. The contrast between Forrest Gump and Jenny Curran: This section analyzes the contrasting life paths of Forrest and Jenny, showcasing their different approaches to pursuing their dreams and coping with life's challenges. It examines their complex relationship and uses their individual experiences to explore the multi-faceted nature of the American Dream and its implications.
5. General definition of the "American Dream": This chapter offers a historical contextualization of the "American Dream," tracing its evolution from its origins to its contemporary interpretation. It explores the various facets of the concept, outlining its promises and highlighting the realities often at odds with the ideal.
6. Connection between the film and the basic idea of the "American Dream": This chapter directly addresses the film's exploration of the American Dream, analyzing how Forrest's journey embodies both the fulfillment and the disillusionment often associated with the concept. It examines Forrest's successes and failures in relation to the prevailing societal values and norms.
7. The Vietnam War - a destruction of the “American Dream”: This section examines the impact of the Vietnam War on Forrest's life and on the broader understanding of the American Dream. It explores how the war disrupted lives, challenged ideals, and left a lasting mark on American society, thereby impacting the pursuit of the American Dream for many.
8. Forrest Gump and some key features of American history: This chapter focuses on how Forrest's life intersects with significant historical events, using his experiences to comment on pivotal moments in American history. It analyzes the film's unique approach to historical representation, revealing the interconnectedness of individual lives and national narratives.
9. Representation of the “American Dream“ in special scenes: This section analyzes specific scenes from the film, highlighting how these moments capture the essence of the "American Dream" and its complexities. It uses these scenes to exemplify the film's exploration of themes such as chance, determination, and the pursuit of happiness.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
American Dream, Forrest Gump, Tom Hanks, Vietnam War, Historical Context, Societal Values, Individual Success, Friendship, Life Fulfillment
Forrest Gump: An Analysis of the American Dream - FAQ
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes the portrayal of the "American Dream" in Robert Zemeckis' film, Forrest Gump, examining how Forrest's life journey reflects and challenges traditional understandings of this concept.
What topics are covered in the Table of Contents?
The Table of Contents covers a wide range of topics, including an overview of the film, a detailed analysis of Forrest Gump's character, a comparison between Forrest and Jenny Curran, a historical overview of the "American Dream," and an examination of specific scenes that illustrate the film's themes. It also includes a section on Tom Hanks' role and the impact of the Vietnam War.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the evolution of the "American Dream" throughout American history, the contrasting life paths of Forrest and Jenny, Forrest's unexpected success and its relation to luck and perseverance, the impact of historical events on individual lives, and the film's portrayal of societal values and expectations.
How is Forrest Gump's character analyzed?
The paper delves into the complexities of Forrest Gump's character, questioning whether he is an "idiot" or an "unexpected genius." It explores his seemingly simple nature and contrasts it with his remarkable achievements.
What is the significance of the contrast between Forrest Gump and Jenny Curran?
The contrasting life paths of Forrest and Jenny illustrate different approaches to pursuing dreams and coping with life's challenges. Their relationship highlights the multifaceted nature of the American Dream.
How does the paper define the "American Dream"?
The paper provides a historical contextualization of the "American Dream," tracing its evolution and exploring its promises and the realities that often contradict the ideal.
How does the Vietnam War factor into the analysis?
The paper examines the war's impact on Forrest's life and the broader understanding of the American Dream, showing how it disrupted lives and challenged ideals.
How are specific scenes analyzed?
Specific scenes, such as Forrest praying for shrimps, his donation to Bubba's mother, his cross-country run, and his life fulfillment, are analyzed to exemplify the complexities of the "American Dream" as portrayed in the film.
What is the role of Tom Hanks in the paper's analysis?
The paper includes a chapter on Tom Hanks' biography and his career, highlighting his role in shaping the portrayal of Forrest Gump and emphasizing his connection to the film's themes.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Keywords include American Dream, Forrest Gump, Tom Hanks, Vietnam War, Historical Context, Societal Values, Individual Success, Friendship, and Life Fulfillment.
- Quote paper
- Julia Schart (Author), 2006, The American Dream in "Forrest Gump", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/503416
