In the Robert Zemeckis film, Forrest Gump, we come to realize that not all heroes are the same. In Joseph Campbell’s piece, “The Hero’s Journey”, a hero must go through a departure, an initiation, and a return. Forrest Gump is a simple man with a low IQ, but has good intentions. He is pure, polite, courteous and full of dignity. Forrest is faced with many obstacles, of which, he overcomes them all. He is constantly running through childhood with his best and only friend Jenny, who becomes his reason for living. He got to witness some of the most significant events in American history including the Vietnam War, JFK, the hippie movement and even Elvis. Forrest met four different presidents, made lots of money with his shrimp company and was given an award as a war hero. However, because of his low IQ, he does not even realize he has become famous or the impact he has had through out his life. …show more content…
As a child, Forrest needs braces for walking although his legs are strong; “his back is as crooked as a politician”. (Forrest Gump) His mother makes it clear to Forrest that being different is a gift and that “if God wanted everyone to be the same then everyone’s legs would be in braces”. (Forrest Gump) In Forrest's younger years as he walked down the street with Jenny and was assaulted by some kids who were throwing rocks at him and calling him names. Forrest apparently did not know how to react and just stood still as if he was paralyzed, waiting for what would happen next. Jenny gives him an idea and tells him to run away. Forrest starts running and gets away from the kids. Through this confrontation, he see that running away is a good way to get out of a dangerous situation. When he was in college, he was running away from men chasing him and by accident wound up on a football field. He was discovered by the coach and immediately gets asked to join the