The American Dream In Finding Forrester

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A dream is a cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal. Something that is cherished, or held high in one's life; It is close to their hearts. In the movie Finding Forrester, Jamal, main character, dreams of being great and fit in. His dreams can be accomplished by the talent of writing that he holds. When moving schools becomes a change in how Jamal acts toward his goals, he befriends an old writer, William Forrester, who has secluded himself in his apartment for years. Through Foresters help Jamal grows in his writing abilities, yet at the same time Jamal helps William break away from his old dreams of never leaving his house. With the scare of plagiarism made by a cold hearted professor, Mr. Crawford, both William and Jamal find themselves …show more content…
Jamals dream was to fit in at school, this affects how he showed himself as a student. When Jamal is at public school, he does not apply himself in class as he should have due to not wanting to stick out; wanting to fit in. According to Paul Clinton, “an older man mentoring a younger man who is gifted with a great talent -- a talent [writing] he hides from the world for fear of not fitting in with his underachieving peers” (Clinton. 2001, pg. 1). Jamal has a gift that he hides from his peers in fear of sticking out. His dreams are being picked and polished by William Forrester, who is the older man Clinton is referring to. This talent that Jamal holds is his way to his dreams of becoming great, which can never be accomplished by hiding his talent from the world all because of his peers lack of motivation and desires holding him back. Yet when Jamal moves to private school, immediately, he starts to apply himself more and more. This change is due to the change in environment, and the people that Jamal was surrounded by. He now feels that he can show his true excellence and talent in school because it is easier to fit in that way at private school. This helped Jamal's dreams. He can fulfill his dream of fitting in by just the change in people surrounding him. Mr. Crawford, Jamal's teacher at this new private school, on the other hand changed in a negative way …show more content…
Moving from public to private school changed the environment to become more inspirational and encouraging for Jamal. This change encourages Jamal's dreams. It is not just that move to a better school, it was a change in how Jamal thought about himself when he moved. A more inspirational environment helps to change to mind set of Jamal and others. Yet Forrester helped Jamal adapt to the environment he is now living in. From author Emanuel Levy, “[Jamal] seeks Forresters help in dealing with the new environment” (2000, pg. 2). Jamal is unsure of his place in the new school; He is unsure how he is going to fit in with his new peers. Forrester helps Jamal adapt to the environment because he knows that this is the place for Jamal's dreams to grow. This change in environment is not just at school. When Jamal finds William Forrester, his apartment become a safe haven. It feels like a place of inspiration to write, and create pieces that shows his abilities. According to author Emanuel Levy, “ Forester’s cluttered apartment. . . later becomes a kind of Never Never land” (2000, pg. 2). Forrester’s apartment at first is just a creepy place that nobody ever went into, but by the end it becomes known by Jamal as a place for him to be inspired and strive for his dreams. It is a “never never land” because it is a place he does not grow old, or is judged. It is a place away from everything where Jamal could focus on him and his
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