What does the feather at the beginning and end of 'Forrest Gump' symbolize? How does it relate to the film's themes of 'destiny' and 'chance'?

The Symbolism of the Feather

In the film Forrest Gump, the recurring feather at the beginning and end symbolizes the unpredictability of life, the capriciousness of fate, and the fusion of freedom and chance. The feather floats lightly, carried by the wind, representing the uncontrollable random events and opportunities in life. Its descent from the sky to land on Forrest suggests the insignificance of individuals within the vast universe and the fragile, poetic nature of life's trajectory.

Connection to Themes of Fate and Chance

The feather's drifting directly echoes the film's core themes of "fate" and "chance":

• Embodies "Chance": The feather's fall is random and unpredictable, mirroring pivotal events in Forrest's life (like unexpectedly becoming a running star or meeting Jenny), all triggered by small coincidences. This emphasizes life's inherent uncertainty and potential.
• Suggests "Fate": Despite its apparent randomness, the feather consistently lands near Forrest (at his feet at the start, rising from his book at the end), creating a cyclical pattern symbolizing destiny. This implies that chance events are not entirely chaotic but are guided by a larger, unseen force (like fate or destiny), ultimately weaving Forrest's complete life story.
• Fusion of Themes: The feather's cyclical appearance reinforces the film's philosophy: life is composed of countless chances, yet through individual choices and perseverance, these chances may transform into an inevitable path of fate. Forrest's "stupid is as stupid does" embodies this theme – chance events gain meaning within the framework of destiny.