The Feather

Throughout Forrest Gump, we see a feather that floats on the wind. The feather symbolizes destiny and dumb blind luck. At one point, Forrest says, "I don't know if we each have a destiny, or if we're all just floatin' around accidental-like on a breeze. But I, I think maybe it's both." The feather seems to point to an accidental kind of life, but it always shows up at just the right time, so maybe destiny brought it there.

We first see the feather as the film begins, landing at Forrest's feet while he is sitting on a park bench in Savannah. He has received a letter from Jenny asking him to come visit her at her apartment there. After picking up the feather, Forrest begins to talk to the nurse on the bench with him.

At the end of the movie, Forrest talks to Jenny at...