Running through Forrest Gump

I had the recent misfortune to find myself extremely ill (thus partially explaining the delay from my last post).  However one night during the height of the sickness, I stumbled upon the classic movie “Forrest Gump” on TV.  I watched the entire movie and like re-reading one of your favorite books I observed things in the movie that I had not previously noticed- specifically the relationship between running and the protagonist, Forrest. 

Each time Forrest runs during the film signifies a transformational moment for his character.  Originally, I thought that running was used to represent significant change in Forrest’s character but upon further thought I changed my opinion because the character of Forrest stays relatively static throughout the movie.  Running helps progress his story but not his actual character.    

From the early scenes of the movie, it becomes apparent that running will be a defining trait in Forrest’s character.  One of the primary challenges that Forrest faces in his life is a physical impairment that forces him to walk in braces throughout his childhood.  This ailment and obstacle is defeated in the memorable scene when Forrest literally breaks out of his leg braces and runs away from a gang of bullies. 

It is running that also carries Forrest into his next adventure- college.  He is able to parlay is gifted speed into a college football scholarship.  Following college he enrolls in the Army where,       prior to his departure to Vietnam, Jenny (his love interest and leading character in the film) gives him the simple yet prudent advice to “just run” if he finds himself in trouble.  

Forrest takes this advice to heart and his final experience in military combat culminates in Forrest running many of his comrades to safety – a heroic act that saves them from an eminent jungle bombing. 

The running symbol reaches the crescendo when Forrest‘s life is at its emotional peak.  Following his death of his mother and one of his best friends (Bubba) and the denial of his marriage proposal to Jenny, Forrest embarks on a literal cross country run.  On this run his gains international acclaim and a troupe of followers.  However, the explanation for his run is never explicably stated.

As an avid runner and someone who believes in the therapeutic power of a good jog, I greatly enjoyed this use in the movie and was surprised that I had never previously recognized it.  Almost in tandem with the footsteps of Forrest, the movie drives forward every time he takes off in a sprint.  Why did the director choose to use this as a device to move the film forward?  I have several theories.

The first is that is that since running is so primal and universal, it is easily relatable to a widespread audience.  Whether you are a habitual runner or can count the number of times you have broke into a run on one hand- everyone has done it and/or knows of it.  It is the single most defining skill of all athletics.  Therefore this identifiable aspect helps the audience understand that the director is using it is as a symbol to transformation surrounding the character of Forrest.    

The second is that running is an ideal tool to illustrate change.  A viewer can easily associate that when Forrest is on the move, the film (plot) is on the move as well.  The continuous use of this device elevates the symbol into a motif that builds throughout the film until eventually the director uses it to convey one the most significant developments in the movie (Forrest’s cross country run). 

When discussing these ideas with one of my most trusted advisors (my father), he proposed a theory of his own: running brings the mind to a heightened sense of consciousness which allows it to conquer the inevitable challenges of life.  To fully explore this theory, my dad compared his idea to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.  The visual representation of this theory manifests itself in a triangle formation where the highest level of consciousness, self-actualization, sits atop.  The importance of the triangle is the understanding that it is increasingly “difficult” to attain each higher level of the pyramid.  The theory also stipulates that to reach each additional level, one must meet the demands of the current level. 

His alteration of Maslow’s theory and the correlation through running was appropriately connected to character of Forrest.  As mentioned, Forrest remains largely static and uni-dimensional in the film but through running his character moves forward (literally and figuratively).  This is most apparent when he uses running for mental/spiritual healing (the cross country run) when he faces an emotionally tumultuous period in his life.  In short, during his final run Forrest finds peace. 

The relation to Maslow?  Contrary to the upward and more difficult movement in Maslow’s theory, my father proposed that physical enlightenment (say the type that is attained through an epic run) is necessary to achieve mental and spiritual enlightenment.  All levels are on a more equal playing field (rather than the triangular formation, it is more a circular formation) and each aspect/level is continuously interacting with each other.  Rather than accomplishing one level and moving to the next, each level is constantly affecting the others (whatever they may be). 

Simply put: physical enlightenment is essential to holistic enlightenment (self actualization in Maslow’s terms).  I enjoy and identify with this theory because I have felt the positive effects of a good run radiate into many different levels in my life, and it is so poignantly and subtlety portrayed in Forrest Gump, that I find it particular enjoyable.