Sexism, Hypermaculinity, And Racism In Forrest Gump

After watching Forrest Gump many have an immediate love for the movie. The disabled underdog experiencing and participating in moments that help to define the history of the United States. Most when watching attempt to connect the origins of Forrest’s innocence to the origins and innocence of America itself. Many symbols throughout the film represent life and the perks to being an innocent and a decent human being (Adler). Supposedly suggesting that being completely innocent and oblivious can allow someone to coincidently become a part of society in ways unimaginable. Although all of this may be viewed true, a true American Studies scholar would see right through this passive appeal and look even deeper into the meanings behind the movie. It can be easily proven that behind the main message of Forrest Gump there are many explicit messages supporting Sexism, Hypermasculinity, and Racism. Without much research, it is easy to assume that Forrest Gump is all about …show more content…
In the movie Forrest, Lieutenant Dan, and even principal Hancock are all very “manly” figures. Lieutenant Dan is the most important masculine figure in the movie. In the beginning he represents everything that a man should desire to be powerful, strong and authoritative. But when he loses that power through the loss of his legs he has no desire to live (Mountjoy). At first it seems that the reason for this loss of desire to live is because, “Forrest saves Lt. Dan 's life, making him the first in a long-line of Taylor-men not to die honourably fighting for his country” (Boyle). But without walking he is no longer perceived as “manly” and it can be supported in Masculinity as Homophobia, nothing is worse than being seen as unmanly by other men. In reality is seems that when Lieutenant Dan, the definition of “masculine” in Forrest Gump, stripped from his ability to be viewed as