Since Jenny’s virus is never specified in the movie, there have been theories that she contracted AIDS. After all, she seems to have had multiple sexual partners while she was in the era of ‘free love.’ Moreover, during the time Jenny took drugs, she often shared needles, which has been one of the most common causes of AIDS.
The fans’ first guess was that Jenny died from AIDS. This speculation is backed by Jenny’s wild lifestyle. She had many sexual partners and shared needles while using drugs. AIDS is an obvious explanation, as she did live in the era of ‘free love’, and the start of the 1980s marks the AIDS outbreak in the world.
In the movie, Jenny tells Forrest that she is sick with an ‘unknown virus.’ The doctors don’t know what it is, and they can’t do anything about it.
Since the movie is set in the 1980s, it explains why the doctors could not help her in any way. A little digging shows that the disease can be contracted due to drug use and via blood contact. In Jenny’s worst days, she abused drugs rampantly, and, unsurprisingly, she might have contracted the virus.
Since Jenny’s virus is never specified in the movie, there have been theories that she contracted AIDS. After all, she seems to have had multiple sexual partners while she was in the era of ‘free love.’ Moreover, during the time Jenny took drugs, she often shared needles, which has been one of the most common causes of AIDS.
She had Hepatitis-C, which was not named until the late 1980s. During the timeframe of the movie, AIDS was a known disease, while Hep-C was not yet named, and was largely not known by the general public. Jenny’s lifestyle during the late 1960s and throughout most of the 1970s was that of what we called hippies.
How did Jenny die?
In 2019, Forrest Gump screenwriter Eric Roth confirmed that Jenny did indeed die from HIV/AID S complications.
They bond as young children and then separate as young adults because of the Vietnam War. Forrest fulfills his vow to write letters for Jenny, only to discover that all of them had been returned because of an invalid mailing address.
Robert Zemeckis’ 1994 film centers on Forrest’s life accomplishments, but the story is grounded by his unconditional love for Jenny. Tom Hanks’ protagonist stays fiercely loyal to Jenny in Forrest Gump. They bond as young children and then separate as young adults because of the Vietnam War. Forrest fulfills his vow to write letters …
In 1976 , Jenny returns home to Alabama and has sex with Forrest but takes off again. Whereas Forrest Gump’s early conflict stems from life events that took him away from Jenny, the final act drama explores what brings them together. Forrest Gump ‘s climax explains the opening premise and builds to two major reveals.
He reveals that the Forrest Gump sequel was actually going to open with the revelation that Forrest Jr. had AIDS, the result of acquiring the disease from his mother, Jenny. Roth also notes that he wrote a comedically dark scene involving Florida kids that refused to attend the same school as Forrest Jr.:
One scene involved Hanks’ character riding in the back of O.J. Simpson’s Ford Bronco during the infamous 1994 freeway chase in Los Angeles, and another scene had Forrest ballroom dancing with Princess Diana (who tragically passed away in 1997).
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Per Roth, the Forrest Gump sequel had more dark subtext beyond the HIV/AIDS plot line. One scene involved Hanks’ character riding in the back of O.J. Simpson’s Ford Bronco during the infamous 1994 freeway chase in Los Angeles, and another scene had Forrest ballroom dancing with Princess Diana (who tragically passed away in 1997). Roth also wrote a sequence where a Native American character who Forrest befriends gets killed in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. The sequel was ultimately cancelled when the 9/11 tragedy made the screenplay “meaningless.” And so movie fans are left with Forrest Gump, a ’90s classic that does indeed cover many historical events but ultimately settles on Jenny’s legacy. Considering how underwhelming most belated sequels to beloved classic movies turn out though, Forrest not returning for a sequel is probably for the best, especially due to the original being a bit problematic by modern standards.
How did Jenny die in Gump and Co?
It is clear from the sequel that Jenny had actually died from hepatitis C, which she contracted during drug abuse.
Jenny is Forrest’s childhood friend and romantic interest. The two share an intimate relationship and support each other in difficult times. Forrest and Jenny are separated on many occasions during the movie.
Forrest Gump is a 1994 film that depicts the life of a sweet, but simple-minded man from Alabama. The film is based on the 1986 Winston Groom novel of the same name and the titular character is portrayed by Tom Hanks. Forrest Gump has received many positive reviews and acclaims, including 6 Oscars. Its cultural and historical significance is great, …
However, there are flaws in this theory. If Jenny had AIDS, how come she didn’t transmit the HIV virus to Forrest or their son.
What was Jenny’s disease?
She had Hepatitis-C, which was not named until the late 1980s. During the timeframe of the movie, AIDS was a known disease, while Hep-C was not yet named, and was largely not known by the general public. Jenny’s lifestyle during the late 1960s and throughout most of the 1970s was that of what we called hippies.
In the second book (published one year after the movie in 1995) she is contracted with Hepatitis C.
When she had her own child, she learned that love is what Forrest was offering. When she was able to experience love with her child, and give love in a new way. When Jenny was a child, she was molested – sexualized prematurely. She didn’t associate love with kindness, caring, thoughtfulness, calmness.
So Forrest did the “Little Forrest Maker”with Jenny no later than early 1978. Too early for a woman to be. Continue Reading. It would be almost impossible for Forrest, who was engaging in straight, Little-Forrest-making sex for the first time to get HIV from Jenny.
Jenny’s lifestyle during the late 1960s and throughout most of the 1970s was that of what we called hippies. She was exposed to unsanitary conditions, and drug use which included sharing needles, and exchanging various bodily fluids with other people. It has been determined that Hep-C dates way, way back in history.
Forrest Gump reflects on the events of his life to strangers on a bus bench before he reunites with his childhood friend, Jenny. Forrest’s disability is noticed early on in his childhood by his peers and his teachers, but Forrest’s mother encourages him by telling him that he’s no different from anyo
ne else.
Elizabeth Finkler Hanasaki. , Actress, Singer, Former Theater Critic (1989-present) Answered 3 years ago. It’s been a long time since I saw “Forrest Gump,” but I would suggest that Jenny did not die of AIDS. She died of MOVIE DISEASE.
