The feather shown at the start and end of Forrest Gump has been interpreted in many ways by many great people including Tom Hanks. That feather is something that mesmerises without any magic, just by its lightness, its calmness, its soothing beauty.
What does it really symbolise?
I feel it symbolises innocence. It symbolises trust. It symbolises a life without worries...
It flies in the air..touching down here & there..taking a leap to hug the sky..coming back again without asking why!
It does not ask the wind back, whether it is the right path, whether they are flying the right way. It follows the wind like a baby follows mother.. doubtlessly. It shows how peaceful life can be with a doubtless mind.. when life is taken as it comes.. when there is a trust.
Perchance it lands on the feet of Forrest. Takes rest in his book for some time. Does not complain when accidentally falls down. Just like that...starts flying again!
It does not make claims to decide its own destiny. It does not feel overwhelmed when it kisses the sky..neither does it feel shattered when it reaches the ground. It is just happy...happy in its own world.......
Well ... purely talking from the perspective of feather and Forrest Gump, you have made an apt analysis of it I feel .. however, and sadly so, the life of a human being cannot follow the winds - whichever they might be! Some Jews tried to follow the Nazi wind and we all know what happened. Some Hindus tried to follow the western invaders' winds and we don't even know what happened to them and yet, there is a Hindukush.... so, I wish life was simple as a feather, as innocent as a feather for a human being. I wish for this humanity that no one except the winds of love and harmony decide one's life.. but sadly, everytime humanity trusted a wind ... it has had to face elimination and hence, humanity must be on guard and MUST lay a stake to its own destiny...AMEN.
ReplyDeletePhew..that is really like waking someone up from a beautiful morning dream. That feather is like a early morning dream. That innocence is something to be fallen in love with.
ReplyDeleteI understand what you are saying. But like Amir Khan pleads in 3 idiots, saying 'Aal is wel' does not solve the problem, but it merely provides the courage to fight the problem. Similarly, such beautiful dreamy things are necessary for the 'feel good' factor in life...to retain the faith in faith..to make oneself ready to face the stressful life.
I am sure, if really there was a Forrest Gump, there were least chances of he becoming a millionaire. But we still love watching him again & again. Why? He has that x-factor which we cannot even dream to have today. And that x-factor is beyond all cruel realities of life!!!
Well...Gouri and Amit, I have to admit to admit that I am officially "fascinated" by your writings....and thankfully this has sparked my dormant instincts for writing....so hopefully I am gonna start a blog (6th attempt) and hang on to it! And...yes I have to watch Forest Gump now...and see what it's all about!
ReplyDeleteOhh..you must watch. I have seen that movie so many times and every time I feel, 'ohh..why did it end".
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for the appreciation...& best of luck for your new blog...I am sure you will write well...
@Akash: I am eagerly awaiting to read you .. but why do I not know about your first 5 attempts?! :P
ReplyDeleteWatching Forrest Gump should be on your 'to do' list of next immediate hour mate ...
@Gouri: You are right that a real Forrest Gump won't stand a chance of succeeding in today's dog-eat-dog world. Its too much fantasy .. and yet, it gives us a tremendous amount of hope .. a hope and a quality of which words cannot even hope to express ...
Gouri, I am not sure that I understand what the reluctant labourer of everything meant by "Jews tried to follow the Nazi wind and we all know what happened." I would hate for anyone to think that Jews are in some way responsible for the holocaust.
ReplyDeleteIn any case, your article was an interesting point of view. And by the way, I LOVED Forrest Gump.
hey girl... awesome article..!!! I loved ur narration.!!! I would say life is as serious as you make it...I esp liked the line:-"It shows how peaceful life can be with a doubtless mind"...We spend so much time doubting in our whole life that effectively we live only fraction of wht total life is!!! great article!!!
ReplyDelete@Kay Lorraine:
ReplyDeleteThanks for the appreciation. But please do not misunderstand anything. I believe, you have misinterpreted the comment of 'reluctant labourer of everything' on Jews. By no means, this person is saying that Jews were responsible for the holocaust. No one will say that. I believe, it is just a counterargument to living with a doubtless mind. Thats all.
@verne10:
ReplyDeleteThanks dear. You indeed got my thoughts right.