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Post by Emily Shea on Feb 7, 2016 21:30:36 GMT
In this movie, a man (Forrest Gump) is rather unintelligent, by testing standards, and considered an outcast. It is not until he meets his true love Jenny that he starts to find himself. Forrest is the definition of handwork and determination. First, as a child, he overcomes his restricting leg braces, and discovers his outstanding ability as a runner. He even earned a scholarship to Alabama State! After college, he makes the decision to join the army. This is very admirable of him considering he had very little experience. After a surprise attack in Vietnam, Forrest when into the firing and saved many of his fellow soldiers. He earned the metal of honor for this (talk about the AMERICAN dream!). He traveled around to wounded soldiers and thought them how to play ping pong, and cheered up their spirits. Eventually, he open a shrimping company "Bubba Gump Shrimp", which he named after his late friend Bubba. With the help of lieutenant Dan, the business was wildly successful. Later, he retired from the business and turned to his childhood home where he married Jenny and had little Forrest.
Forrest Gump did not let the judgements from society control him. Rather, he used them as motivation to work harder. He started with nothing and worked his way up to a decorated private, a successful business man, a loving husband, and a caring father. In my opinion, Forrest met and exceeded the American Dream.
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Post by rmay99 on Feb 7, 2016 21:50:53 GMT
I definitely agree with you Emily. Forrest Gump is a true embodiment of the American Dream. Starting from the absolute bottom both socially and economically, Forrest shows the true grit that is needed to become a success. I find that this specific trait of determination and fighting through hard times to be a vital trait of all who succeed in The American Dream. One's character is only going to be shown in the roughest of times, and in the same way, rough times are what will shape one's character. A truly successful American Dreamer must be able to tackle problems and issues with relative ease. No one is going to be handed success and last in that position without ever toiling through the times at the low levels. Forrest Gump knows this first hand through his overcoming of his leg braces, earning a scholarship, and helping out with the war effort.
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Post by ronaldrajan on Feb 8, 2016 1:58:14 GMT
Emily I think that you had a very nice comparison between the actions and life of Forest Gump to the American Dream. I think that Gump's walking disability as a child made us all sympathize with him, but when he eventually overcame this and became a champion runner it brought out his true American spirit and perseverance. Also when you had mentioned that Gump stayed with his fellow troops in Vietnam and saved many of their lives, including Lieutenant Dan, it also showed how the American people idolized courage because they awarded him with the medal o honor for bravery.
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Post by rcb1008 on Feb 8, 2016 2:45:54 GMT
I partially agree. Forrest Gump, in my opinion, is more about overcoming challenges than living the American Dream. There is no doubt that he does live this dream, but aside from his disabilities, his family is wealthy, he receives a high quality education early on, and he doesn't move too far up in society. Nonetheless, Forrest through his success as a football player, actions in Vietnam, and shrimping endeavors does achieve almost a heroic role, and represents the aspect of the American Dream of acceptance for who you are, and the ability to do whatever you want to do in life.
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Post by colleenstrohlein on Feb 8, 2016 3:03:36 GMT
I really like the comparison of Forest Gump to the American dream because I feel like unlike most films and books about an American life it promotes the American dream. While almost every other work that's been analyzed shows the rise and fall of a person's life on a quest to achieve the American dream, Forest Gump shows that even when there are bumps in the road by working hard and being proud of who you are you can still be happy and achieve the American dream. Even though he is repeatedly rejected by Jenny, has a leg disability, loses his best friend, and is looked down upon by almost everyone he meets, he never gives up and continually finds new hobbies to keep him happy. In the end he finds everything he's ever wanted: a house, a family, and love, and proves that the American dream is possibly if you work hard and never lose spirit.
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