A WALK TO REMEMBER BY NICHOLAS SPARKS

is a 2002 American romance film based on the 1999 romance novel of the same name by Nicholas
Sparks. The film stars Shane West and Mandy Moore, was directed by Adam Shankman, and produced
by Denise Di Novi and Hunt Lowry for Warner Bros. The novel, written by Sparks, is set in the 1950s
while the film is set in 1998.THEMES

Love conquers all

The theme of love conquers all is one of the most prevalent themes in that we are shown throughout the
story, without love, life is meaningless.

God's Plan
The theme of God’s Plan is also an important idea. The answer to the question, “What is God’s Plan?” is
sought throughout the plot.

Superficiality and judgment based on appearances

Another theme to note is that of superficiality and judgment based on appearances which can be seen in
the attitudes of Landon and his friends through most of the story.

How we all influence each other

The theme of how we all influence each other is a theme which makes the reader think about how we can
have a lasting impact on the least among us.

How we all have the capacity to change

Another theme that is emphasized throughout is that of how we all have the capacity to change for the
better as seen by all the characters in the story.

Faith
A final theme involves faith in God and in ourselves.

MOOD
At times, the mood is tragic, filled with despair, and very sad; at other times, it is uplifting and hopeful;
finally, it is a triumphant commentary on the human spirit.
Plot Summary for
A Walk to Remember (2002) More at IMDbPro »

In Beaufort, North Carolina, a prank on a student goes terribly wrong and puts the student in the
hospital. Landon Carter, a popular student with no defined plans for the future, is held
responsible and forced to participate in after-school community service activities as punishment,
which include starring as the lead in the school play. Also participating in these activities is
Jamie Sullivan, the reverend's daughter who has great ambitions and nothing in common with
Landon. When Landon decides he wants to take his activities seriously, he asks Jamie for help
and begins to spend most of his time with her. But he starts to develop strong feelings for her,
something he did not expect to do. The two start a relationship, much to the chagrin of Landon's
old popular friends and Jamie's strict reverend father. But when a heart-breaking secret becomes
known that puts their relationship to the test, it is then that Landon and Jamie realize the true
meaning of love and fate. Written by Anonymous

In a coastal North Carolinian small town in the mid 1990's, a boy from the popular but troubled
undirected group of students gets busted, and for punishment, you guessed it, has to do
community service activities which include the high school's spring play. This throws him in
with the minister's daughter, you guessed it, the mousy seemingly awkward yet beautiful girl
with an angelic heart, and she sings too. They grow hesitantly closer than their previous
adversarial relationship as old bonds are tested and new awarenesses are inspired. A couple
twists occur as the story concludes. Written by Scott - Milwaukee, WI. USA

Love and loss throughout two very young lives. Landon Carter and Jamie Sullivan - two people
who find themselves unexpectedly thrown together after a practical joke between Landon and his
friends which leaves a boy in hospital, as punishment Landon is forced to partake in some after
school activities including the spring play. The truth of the matter is Landon can't act, so he
acquires the help of the beautiful but some what invisible Jamie you see Jamie doesn't need to be
noticed, she is quiet and keeps herself to herself most of the time, Landon and his friends always
make fun of Jamie as if it is a day to day task, but one day Landon brings up the courage to ask
for her help with his lines, through trials and tribulations leading up to this play Land some how
falls in love with the beautiful ministers daughter abandoning his friends to be with her Landon
shares a true love with the girl, but a heart breaking secret lies between the couple, can they save
their relationship and make all their dreams come true? Written by Lisa Fearon

SETTING
The story takes place in the real-life city of Beaufort, North Carolina (pronounced "Bo-furt"), in
1958 and 1959. Beaufort is a small coastal port city that was established in 1722.
Major Characters
Landon Carter
The 57 year-old man who through flashback narrates the story of his seventeenth year, the year
that changed his life.

Jamie Sullivan
The seventeen year-old girl daughter of a Baptist minister who is dying of cancer, but who
impacts on the lives of everyone around her.

Hegbert Sullivan
The Baptist minister, the writer of The Christmas Angel, and Jamie’s father, he tries to
discourage the young couple from being together and falling love, but in the end, even he cannot
disrupt God’s Plan.

Minor Characters
Worth Carter
Landon’s father and the local congressman, he is seldom home and so, he and Landon haven’t
much of a relationship.

Landon’s mother
Although she is nameless, she has a great deal of influence on her son and is a source of strength
when he needs it most.

Eric Hunter
Landon’s best friend and the star of the football team, he is a natural joker and teaser and in the
end, must come to grips with the way he had always treated Jamie.

Miss Garber
The teacher who teaches the Drama Class and helps them stage The Christmas Angel.

Carey and Eddie

The two boys whom Landon often mocks as being somehow less than he is.

Jamie’s mother
Although she has died at Jamie’s birth, it is her Bible that has a lasting influence on both Jamie
and Landon.

Landon’s grandfather
A kind of robber baron who made the family fortune by stealing from the people of Beaufort, his evil actions made
Hegbert quit working for him and created discord between Hegbert and his son Worth for a long time after. Jamie
heals their rift.
MORAL LESSON
A Walk to Remember expresses many difficult situations in which you have to make it through
somehow. The relationship between Landon and his father was less than perfect, seeing as Landon
begrudged his father for walking out on him and his mother. Jamie and her father dealt with the loss of
her mother from death at child birth. Jamie and Landon fall in love with the knowledge that Jamie will
not be living much longer due to her case leukemia. This story exemplifies how life throws us for a loop.
It gives us the most tragic and painful hardships of our lives. But in turn we also receive the greatest gift
God has given us and that's love. Through faith, Jamie lives her remaining days on earth the best way
she knows how to - by not giving up on her love for God. Through love, Landon mends his broken
relationship with his father for Jamie's sake. Through a miracle, Jamie's father lives on after the losses of
the two most important people in his life - his wife and his daughter. To say it straightforward, the moral
lesson is not to take the people around you for granted. People come in and out of our lives, and
sometimes they change us forever.