Forrest wouldn't recognize a frenemy if one subtweeted about him. All he knows is complete, unquestioning loyalty; just give him a smile and an open ear, and he'll be on your side for life. (Actually, scratch that—Lt. Dan is nothing but an abusive bully to him for years, and Forrest still loves that guy like a brother from another mother.) Take Bubba: after sitting next to him on the Army bus, Forrest is BFFs with the guy to the point that he even buys a shrimping boat after the war just to keep his promise. In Forrest Gump, we learn that friendship is just one more of those things—like love and success—that doesn't depend on a high IQ.
Questions about Friendship
- After Jenny and Bubba, who do you think is Forrest's next best friend? Why?
- Do you think Forrest's honesty and loyalty as a friend is directly connected to his low IQ? Why or why not?
- Who are some of the people in this movie who benefit from Forrest's friendship? How do they benefit?
- How—if at all—do we see people showing friendship toward Forrest?
Chew on This
In Forrest Gump, friendship is just one more way that people take advantage of an unsuspecting Forrest (who doesn't care).
Forrest Gump reminds us that all a friendship really needs is unwavering loyalty.