It is evident to most viewers of the film Forrest Gump that the title character is not neurotypical. Although Robert Zemeckis, the director of the 1994 film, and Winston Groom, the author of the 1986 novel, both claim Gump has no particular diagnosis, this hasn’t stopped rumors.
While some experts have attempted to make a diagnosis, the majority of the information on the internet is speculative and comes from fans who can identify with Gump in some way. It is generally agreed upon, therefore, that Gump has at least two criteria.
The popular film Forrest Gump offers an intriguing and oddly mainstream look at someone who isn’t neurotypical, even though it may not be a perfect picture of these illnesses.
Many people adore the film Forrest Gump, but it also poses a number of problems regarding the protagonist. Many people think that Forrest Gump had autism, yet the reality about his handicap has been hidden from viewers for decades.
The precise Forrest Gump condition in the film is still largely unknown, despite evidence indicating the character had this and other problems. This illustrates that it was only a vibrant and imaginative film, specifically one that was made during a different era.
Did Forrest Gump Have Autism?
Initially, Gump most likely belongs to the autism spectrum. Indeed, based on data from Groom’s book, Dr. Shinji Ijichi, M.D. and Dr. Naomi Ijichi, M.D., made that exact diagnosis for Forrest Gump in a 1996 publication.
The DSM-IV criteria for a medical diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder, or ASD, were specifically compared to Groom’s descriptions of Gump’s interactions with his environment and other people. They came to the conclusion that Gump satisfies the criteria.
Considering that Gump narrates both the book and the film, it is easier to conclude that he has autism. This engrosses the viewer in his distinct viewpoint. Gump’s behaviors and perspectives resonated deeply with many people who have been diagnosed with or familiar with ASD.
His social discomfort and his complete concentration on a single topic are two of the most obvious instances.
Gump’s emphasis on his drill instructor, ping pong, shrimping, and sprinting is similar to that of many people with ASD. They can be very focused once they are given a task. Similarly, from an early age, Forrest Gump struggles to read the social cues of those around him via various settings.
For instance, he totally misinterprets the propriety of her father’s behavior toward his children, which causes him to ignore tiny Jenny’s anguish and obvious maltreatment.
What was the Problem With Forrest Gump’s Legs?
Gump’s childhood requirement for leg braces is the second condition. According to the two most popular theories, Gump either had polio or moderate cerebral palsy. Regretfully for fans who are curious, Gump’s leg braces are still officially undiagnosed.
But early on in the narrative, Forrest himself reveals that although he had exceptionally strong legs at birth, his spine was slightly curved, possibly indicating that he had moderate scoliosis.
At a time when such an idea wasn’t precisely widespread, it was a smart method to build a diversified movie hero in addition to his mental and social peculiarities.
Forrest Gump Explores History From A NeurodivergentPoint of View
Some commentators dismissed the gravity of many of the events and movements depicted in the movie because they believed that Forrest Gump was political or had a conservative agenda. “Forrest Gump isn’t about politics or conservative values,” producer Steve Tisch stated.
“It’s about humanity,” he said in his acceptance speech for the Academy Award. In an interview with Jeff Saporito, actor Tom Hanks, who portrayed Forrest Gump, concurred, saying that “the film is nonpolitical and thus nonjudgmental.”
The counterargument is that if a film depicts historical events, including important and politically charged ones, it is inherently political and will lean in whatever direction the film’s lens focuses on the events.
Critics immediately claimed that this was a disregard of all social value since Gump’s introduction of himself and his naïveté into the middle of numerous significant events from the 1960s and 1970s turned them into a bit of a joke.
But Gump’s interactions take on a whole new level of genius if one takes into account that the film’s narrator has a neurodivergent view of life. Forrest Gump was naturally unable to relate to or comprehend the emotional motivations of individuals whirling around him in their tumultuous state.
He would instinctively seek for and hold onto the circumstances and ideas that he was most accustomed to. Instead of being contemptuous, the plot turns into a statement on how people like Forrest Gump might be swept along for the ride without making the kind of connection that others would like or expect.
Considering Forrest Gump’s condition, this is a unique viewpoint that should be welcomed rather than taken offense at.
ASD was still mostly a theoretical term in 1986, when Groom wrote his book. The days of conducting in-depth research on the illness were long gone. Therefore, it is unlikely that Groom wrote Gump’s character with a particular medical diagnosis in mind.
Similarly, ASD was still not widely used as a diagnosis and was far less well-known to the general public when Zemeckis starred Gump. It was a gift in and of itself for the two creative brains to provide a primary character with a different point of view to the public.
It opened the door for later productions of similarly dramatic, depressing movies and television series because such a dramatic direction wasn’t typical at the time.
The Quality of Forrest Gump Makes It Ideal for All Viewers
Although the portrayal may not be entirely true, Forrest Gump provides neurodivergent individuals with a hero to relate to. Gump wasn’t intended to be a recurring joke or a supporting character.
He overcomes and succeeds in spite of the prejudices of those around him, even when his achievements tend toward the absurd. In doing so, regardless of his condition, he becomes a rebellious example of human endurance.
His relatability is increased by the fact that he is also from a small town and has little resources. Anyone may relate to Forrest Gump and find him to be a good man because there isn’t a specific diagnosis for him.
No matter how the events of the film are interpreted, one important fact is always present: Forrest Gump is a work of fiction that does not take itself too seriously, even though it is based on a book.
Rather, it is best to appreciate Forrest Gump for what it is: a journey through both good and bad circumstances with a charming and probably autistic man.
Enjoy what the film has to offer and perhaps connect to the challenges faced by a neurodivergent person. Since Forrest Gump is a tale about the human condition, it has a lot to say that we can all relate to. This explains why the film has received such high praise from a variety of audiences over the years.
If the complexities of Forrest Gump and its portrayal of brain diversity fascinate you, check out our website for more detailed information. We look at the possible conditions of the character, the cultural influence of the movie, and a lot more. Check out our most recent articles and participate in the conversation to avoid missing out!
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