Name______Per _____Date______

English 9/9CP/H: Journey of the Hero: Forest Gump(1994)

Characterization:

Chart the development of each of the following main characters from the film. Add your own as character as well.

Forest Gump:Child vs. Adult

Mrs. Gump:

Jenny Curran: Child vs. Adult

Bubba Blue and Family:

Lt. Dan Taylor:

Themes/Settings /Symbols:

Forrest Gump is on his own personal odyssey. What is his quest and does he achieve this quest? For each of the themes below, discuss the significance of each. If applicable, discuss what you think that the director’s message is to the audience based on the theme and symbols. What connections do you note to Odysseus; (9 Honors also consider Pip)?

  • Power of Independence:“How Many Roads must be a man walk down”
  • Quest: “Run Forrest Run!” How does the act of running help Forrest in his life? 3 years; 2 months 14 days and 16 hours
  • Heroes: War and “Destiny” “It’s all part of a plan.”
  • Impact of Society on the Hero: Washington Monument: What do you think Forrest said about Vietnam? Write a paragraph.
  • Reunions: “It was the happiest day of my life.” Connection to Odysseus?
  • Standing in the School House Door: George Wallace Governor of Alabama 1962
  • Shrimp Boat:
  • New Year’s Eve: “Everybody gets a second chance.” How is this true?
  • Symbolism of the Feather:

“You have to do the best you can with what God gave you.”

Self-Reliance vs. True Love:

Forrest Gump is a change agent because he is curious and wants to understand the world around him. Later on in the film,Forrest begins to develop a confidence and independence that transforms him from ordinary to extraordinary. Explain the evolution of this dramatic change. Give specific examples from the film.

DependenceSelf-RelianceLove

Draw conclusions about the lesson Forrest Gump teaches us all. Provide examples.

Open-Ended – In a 2-3 paragraph response, answer the following questions. Be sure to answer BOTH bullets. You may use the back of this page to record your answer.

In the unit, The Journey of the Hero, we read and discussed the ways in which an individual’s love of family and leadership responsibility conflict.

  • How can you relate Forrest Gump to our unit title The Journey of the Hero? Choose one relationship in the film and explain this relationship and explain how it causes the individuals to connect or conflict. Give specific examples.
  • Why do you think people were so receptive to Forrest Gump? After all, it is obvious Forrest has a disability, so why would this one “stupid”man be able to help so many different individuals from all walks of life? Connect to a theme and setting.