Theory Based Character Description
Theory Based Character Description
Jenny Curran – Forrest Gump
COUN5214
Theories of Personality
Social-Cognitive Theory
The structure of Jenny’s life begins with her beliefs, morals, goals and capabilities of change throughout her lifetime. Early in life, she seemed to have dreams and goals for the future. She desired to be a performer, singer, songwriter and musician. Unfortunately, those aspirations were destroyed when she instead became a nude model and stripper, which killed her college career when she was expelled. She degraded herself and could never recover the self-respect and respect from others that she lost from doing that. There are many examples throughout her life that she seemingly set herself up for failure, as she gets into unhealthy, abusive relationships, and relies heavily on drugs, alcohol and a life of promiscuity. Jenny never followed through with her dreams or made responsible decisions. Her principles and standards changed as her surroundings did. She made many bad choices that led her down a life of destruction.
The Social Cognitive process is demonstrated throughout the move as we watch her struggle in life. As Forrest becomes increasingly successful in most things he does. She admires him so much and deeply cares for him as a friend. They remain in contact in high school and periodically throughout life. She reaches out during some of her more desperate times or runs into him as fate would have it. Forrest asks Jenny to marry him, however, she replies, “You don’t want to marry me”. I speculate that she compares her life to his and therefore feels beneath him, and that he deserves better than herself. He replies that he may be stupid but he knows what love is and in fact does want to be with her. Later that night she slips into his room and they make love. Early in the morning however, she leaves without a word. It is possible that she felt like she made a mistake and did not want to drag him down with her.
Her
Jenny Curran – Forrest Gump
COUN5214
Theories of Personality
Social-Cognitive Theory
The structure of Jenny’s life begins with her beliefs, morals, goals and capabilities of change throughout her lifetime. Early in life, she seemed to have dreams and goals for the future. She desired to be a performer, singer, songwriter and musician. Unfortunately, those aspirations were destroyed when she instead became a nude model and stripper, which killed her college career when she was expelled. She degraded herself and could never recover the self-respect and respect from others that she lost from doing that. There are many examples throughout her life that she seemingly set herself up for failure, as she gets into unhealthy, abusive relationships, and relies heavily on drugs, alcohol and a life of promiscuity. Jenny never followed through with her dreams or made responsible decisions. Her principles and standards changed as her surroundings did. She made many bad choices that led her down a life of destruction.
The Social Cognitive process is demonstrated throughout the move as we watch her struggle in life. As Forrest becomes increasingly successful in most things he does. She admires him so much and deeply cares for him as a friend. They remain in contact in high school and periodically throughout life. She reaches out during some of her more desperate times or runs into him as fate would have it. Forrest asks Jenny to marry him, however, she replies, “You don’t want to marry me”. I speculate that she compares her life to his and therefore feels beneath him, and that he deserves better than herself. He replies that he may be stupid but he knows what love is and in fact does want to be with her. Later that night she slips into his room and they make love. Early in the morning however, she leaves without a word. It is possible that she felt like she made a mistake and did not want to drag him down with her.
Her