January 2008: What is your opinion of the idea that hope is an important quality?

We, as individuals, are not as in control of our lives as we may pretend to be. The facade we put up may fool others yet somehow it is never able to fully fool ourselves. Yet, the human condition is accustomed to accepting the inevitable circumstances rather than hoping for more. We tend to make peace with our misery and even though, in our heart, we are aware of our capabilities, the reality is that we do not have the courage to pursue them. This is where hope must take a play within our lives, to inspire, encourage, and motivate us. We must learn to no longer fear it but rather fall into its delicate embrace. In the film, Finding Forrester by Gus Van Sant, 16 year old Jamal Wallace – an intelligent and capable individual has been challenged by academic restrictions caused by his environment. However, when he gets gifted with the opportunity to utilize his skills, a certain desire spurs inside of him, and eventually acquaints him with hope. During this time he also develops a radiating mentorship- eventually leading to a friendship with William Forrester- an experienced, intelligent, and famous writer, who has been residing as a recluse in an apartment building. Jamal, once seen as a stereotypical, poverty driven, African-American teenager, has now evolved into a more inspired version of himself. He is portrayed as a dynamic character who is able to prove his abilities throughout the film. Finding Forrester displays the idea that individuals often blind themselves to hope in fear of failure; however, when an important event invites itself into their lives, they are much more open to obtaining hope, it is then that they are able to take their first steps towards their passion, ultimately leading to greater success. Gus Van Sant portrays how Jamal has been tied down by expectations to fit in his initial environment, and then him utilizing the opportunity to attend a private school and improve his writing via Forrester, resulting in him being recognized as a writer by many important individuals.

Jamal has put up a facade for himself, one that is torn down when he is alone within the comfort of the walls of his bedroom, surrounded by his favourite books. This facade is likely built by the lifestyle presented in the Bronx neighbourhood, and for the desire to want to fit in it. The main priority of most of the kids has revolved around basketball, hence why most of the shots in Bronx have been centered around the basketball court. Jamal feels a desperate need to fit in and be accepted by his peers, to not be exposed as a brilliant writer. This is most clearly displayed in the scene where Jamal’s teacher calls on him to talk about Edgar Allan Poe. Yet he remains silent and claims to not know, while it is evidently indicated that he is well aware of the famous poet. This asserts that Jamal is indeed afraid to hope for recognition as a writer and an intelligent individual. Whether it be fear of judgement from his peers, or fear within himself- what if I do not succeed. It is clear that Jamal is not yet confident in his writing skills, he is still unaware of the level of intellect within his writing. He is surrounded by a false reality, with dishonest relationships and a secret passion for literature. All due to the fact that he is afraid to hope for a better lifestyle. Often times, individuals feel it is necessary to have hope, for they have convinced themselves that it is foolish to believe that things will change. They have been accustomed to a certain lifestyle that it is no longer in their imaginations to be somewhere else. They do not realize that it is their hope which will grant them a new form of life, a rebirth. There is no risk in hoping, the only risk is not having anything to hope for.

When Jamal meets Forrester and gets invited to attend Maillour-Callor, a door of opportunities open for him. He is placed in a position that can help him walk out of poverty and finally open the bags he hid his dreams and hopes in. This opportunity is one that strikes a certain hope within Jamal. He is able to accept how passionate he is about writing and hopes to journey far with it. He recognizes how fortunate he is and takes crucial steps to improving as a writer. Everyday, he visits Forrester, follows his instructions, and writes. Forrester tells him, “You must write the first draft with your heart. You rewrite with your head. The first key is to write not to think!” He does just that, and this displays his dedication towards becoming a writer. Many would feel limited towards Forresters advice and yet Jamal follows it blindly. He is able to connect to Forrester through literature, and most importantly- connect with himself. Fear is now vanished and although he is placed among other challenges it is his courage that helps him face them. Fear has always been a hurdle for Jamal, one he had not been able to cross. Yet when he was recognized by an important school and by a famous writer he gathered hope within himself to pursue his dreams as well. Individuals are more likely to achieve great things when they are reminded that they are capable of doing great things. Appreciation is what drives them towards their goals, being recognized for their efforts. This may be as small as self appreciation, even though they may not have an impact on many, recognizing that they are able to is motivation on its own. This self-worth brings us closer to hope, it helps us hope for our future, and it guides us towards achieving those hopes.

When Jamal finds hope, he ultimately finds courage at hand, and it is this courage that helps him strive for the future. Jamal is able to stand up for himself and recognize that he is indeed an educated writer, one whose strengths extend much wider than basketball. He breaks out of the norms and stereotypes that have always limited him, ones that placed fear within his heart. Then he is recognized as a writer by Professor Crawford, someone who has constantly tried to strap him down to the same standards he broke out of. He proves him wrong and is now highly respected. Forrester silitfies that it is indeed fear that limits our choices, and hope is one that increases them. He writes to Jamal, “We walk away from our dreams afraid that we may fail, or worse yet, afraid we may succeed.” This explains how fear is one that shadowed both Jamal and Forrester, and how it had caused them to live in conformity. When he had been one of the kids from Bronx, he would have never imagined being in a place of such excellence. Of being respected, by people that had degraded him, and on the way to publish a book that shapes his future. Individuals are granted with appreciation for their success when they are able to take the first steps towards it. Regardless of the hardships placed among our lives, we must keep pushing forwards and stay in line with our hope. It is that hope, which will summon our heart to display courage and strive for the future.

Hope is something that many take for granted, it is one that is rarely recognized, yet it can transform us as individuals. It may not change one’s life at hand, but it does improve the individual, and then it is the individual that changes their life. People shrivel in fear of failure, and sometimes success, all due to a loss of hope. However, certain events trigger the need for hope and this leads to ultimate success and courage. Jamal Wallace had been a kid who was disadvantaged by his environment, never fully appreciated for his academics. Not able to recognize his worth. Although, when he met Forrester and got accepted to Maillor-Callor, he was able to see how capable he truly was and move forward with his future. He continued working hard for a motive and was clearly recognized as a writer. If it hadn’t been for hope, he would still be in the Bronx, playing basketball. A lot of individuals turn down hope and never fully utilize their skills, this leads to their ultimate downfall. Hope is there to motivate individuals and strive up recognition towards a potential they always carried, yet never explored.