Importance of Bayou La Batre, AL

The home of Forrest Gump's college and Army friend, Bubba, Bayou La Batre is for much of the novel the goal of Forrest's travels, as he wishes to establish the shrimp farming business that had been Bubba's dream before being killed in Vietnam. After many adventures, Forrest and his orangutan friend, Sue, visit Bubba's parents. Forrest characterizes the war as "a bunch of shit," explains Bubba's dream, and is set up in a good spot to begin the business easily and cheaply. He spends a month fixing up the late Tom LeFarge's property, laying mesh nets, seeding the pond with tiny shrimp, and feeding them with cottonseed meal. They go on to set up three more ponds. Forrest hopes that his honest work will win Jenny back.