Today I'll break down the story of Forrest Gump and why it's one of the best stories around!

Hello I am back from my summer break with one year left and a lot still to do. So here we go back into the movie madness that I live in. This week I am using the Beat the Cat theory. (check out the link on the words) I have broken down the plot of Forrest Gump into the separate components. I know this should be fairly obvious but there are SPOILERS ahead as I discuss major plot points of one of my favorite movies in the world. Without further ado lets get onto the important stuff!

The Opening Image: The extended shot of the feather floating down to the feet of Forrest Gump at a bus stop who then picks it up and places it inside of a Curious George book.

The Stated Theme: The theme is about a simple man who has lived through some of the most amazing events of the 20th century and sees them in different ways. He views each experience differently than most people who lived through the time and that is what makes his story so unique.

The Set-Up: Forrest is set up to be an odd character from the start. He doesn't understand what is and isn't socially acceptable (like speaking so those at a bus stop while they are reading a magazine) and he doesn't understand some of the things he talks about from his past.

The Catalyst: The catalyst of the story is that Forrest Gump is different. He is told this at both
the doctors office and at the school when he goes to enroll. This will cause many conflicts throughout the story and will also allow the character to change and grow.

The Debate: Forrest has a hard time making friends and he must escape the bullying. He then finds out that he has a passion for running and that it is both a means of escape and fun. He must decide how the rest of his life is gonna go, weather he is gonna let others run over him or weather he is gonna fight for himself.

When the story Breaks into Two: Forrest attends college at University of Alabama, Jenny his best friend goes to another all girls college. Forrest plays football in college and he experiences the integration of the college and other national events including meeting President Kennedy and being on the All-Star Football team.

The B Story: Forrest loves his best friend, Jenny, and is confused as to how he will pursue her. He goes to her college to see her and has an awkward encounter.

The Fun and Games: As Forrest graduates college he joins the army and is sent off to boot camp. On the bus he meets Bubba and the two become fast friends. They are sent off to basic together and they train side by side until they receive their orders for Vietnam.

The Midpoint: Forrest finds Jenny at a bar and tries to protect her, unknowingly ruining her job at the bar. As she goes to leave for the open road he tells her of the the deployment and she tells him to be safe.

The Bad Guys Close In: Forrest arrives in Vietnam with Bubba and the two are surprised by the stark
difference Vietnam holds to America. Forrest writes Jenny daily and they struggle through the different atmosphere in Vietnam. His unit is ambushed in Vietnam and stuck under heavy fire.

All is Lost: As Forrest and his unit tries to escape the heavy fire Forrest is separated from the unit and goes back to save people. He comes across many of his unit and rescues them, including his commander Lt. Dan. Forrest finds Bubba and escapes the forrest, however Bubba dies a few moments later.

Dark Knight of the Soul: Forrest and Lt. Dan try hard to catch shrimp but nothing comes up. They loose all hope that their shrimping business will be successful.

Break Into Three: A large storm sweeps in and they become the most successful shrimping company in the Nation. Forrest's mom dies, and he begins his three year long run to avoid his problems.

Finale: Forres is sent a letter from Jenny and he races off to meet her. Once he arrives he finds out he has a son, Little Forrest. Jenny tells Forrest that she is sick and the two are soon married.  They live happily until Jenny passes away and Forrest is left alone with his son.

Final Image- Forrest's Son, Little Forrest, enters onto the school bus in the same fashion as Forrest did years earlier. Forrest sits on the tree stump and the feather floats from his feet up into the sky and away from them ending the movie.




Well I hope you found that informative and enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I will always recommend this movie as it combines two of my favorite things: History and Film. Tom Hanks is an amazing actor who portrays this character perfectly and keeps the story interesting. Eric Roth wrote a story that will be remembered forever as making a Historic movie that is loved by all! I'll be back soon, but until then I'll leave you with an infamous, yet applicable quote from Forrest Gump. "Life is like a box of Chocolates, You never know what you're gonna get."