Feminism in Forrest Gump

Feminism in Forrest Gump

The movie I choose to analyze was Forrest Gump.   I choose to approach it through a feminist mind frame owing to the great amount of support the women give to Forrest Gump throughout his life.   As you watch the clip of the younger part of Forrest Gump’s life.   Look to see what Jenny is wearing and how she acts around Forrest. After watching the video clip I hope you were able to see the somewhat angelical appearance of Jenny.   Even at one point praying to God for wings to fly away from her home.   Yet, staying there watching over Forrest as almost a parent but yet as a friend helping him through the tough task of being accepted by the other children regardless of his physical and mental setbacks.   And also to help bring him into the world through a different perspective then as his mother giving him one more tool to help him later on in life.   With her angelic qualities she “watches” over him making sure nothing happens to him and not worrying about anything bad affecting her or any repercussions from being his friend.   Many women today are viewed as the motherly figure although dads are slowly becoming the stay-at-home dad.   We see them as the parental figure that watches over the younger children more and spend more effort to keep them safe.   This is how the director portrays Jenny, not only in this short clip but throughout the entire movie.   Although she does make a few ill choices in her life, she becomes the mature mother having a child of her own and being able to support them with a healthy lifestyle.   Always there for Forrest and always maintaining a sort of angelical appearance Jenny fulfils one of the key characteristics of female stereotyping.   Not only that, but a certain points, Jenny is belittled to a lesser status.   For example when introducing Jenny to Lieutenant Dan he does not introduce her as his wife but as his Jenny, not only belittling her but making her somewhat of a possession.   Another key point to feminist theory: the belittling and...