De los Santos, Samantha Geraldine G.

2004-39599

SOC 232
Prof. G. L. M. Nelson

Vignette of a Love Story: Dear John (Movie)

The Dear John Movie was based on the book of the same title written by Nicholas
Sparks, a New York Times Bestselling author. He is also the genius behind the novels A
Walk to Remember, The Notebook and Nights in Rodanthe that were all turned into hit
movies.
The story of Dear John revolved around Special Forces Army Sergeant John Tyree, who
rebelled against his numismatist father who grew too fond of collecting coins and
pushing them to become distant from one another. Frustrated, he dropped out of school
and enlisted in the Army. When he was home at Charleston, South Carolina, on a twoweek leave from deployment, he met Savannah Lynn Curtis. Both were hanging out on
that fateful day at the pier: John was alone, while Savannah was with her friends.
Accidentally, one of her male friends dropped her sling bag into the ocean. John, without
thinking twice, dove after Savannahs bag and retrieved it. John returned the bag to the
rightful owner, but when he saw who it was, he fell in love at first sight.
Savannah, hailing from Charleston, too, was on spring break from college. When
Savannah retrieved the bag, she thanked John by inviting him to join her and her friends
at a bonfire that night. Reluctantly, John accepted the invitation.
John met more of her friends including Tim Wheddon. John learned of how inviting and
mature Savannah and Tim really are. From that night on, John knew Savannah was more
than a love at first sight. She was something special. Savannah was busy helping build a
house for Habitat for Humanity during spring break. She didnt drink. She didnt smoke.
She didnt even curse out loud. As they spent more time together, they became more than
friends. Savannah fell deeply in love with John. Being very comfortable with John,
Savannah told him that she thinks John's father has autism. John became impulsive and
got angry at Savannah, accusing her of nosing around his family, and that he certainly

knows his condition. At his anger, he left Savannah, got into a fist fight with some of her
friends and accidentally hit Tim right in the nose. John thought about how bad his actions
were and asked for forgiveness. Savannah and Tim both forgave John. When spring break
was almost over and both of them were about to return to their personal duties, Savannah
promised to write John overseas during the next twelve months until he completes his
deployment. Before John left, he promised Savannah that he will marry her when he
returns.
Their love was put to test when right before John finishes the term of his deployment, he
chose to reenlist after the 9/11 attack. John felt that it was his duty to reenlist to the Army
but Savannah felt betrayed because she felt the promise of marriage was broken. Their
long distance relationship continued and they kept on sending out letters for one another.
But the years of being apart was too much for Savannah. A time came when even if John
kept on writing letters for her, she did not reply. It took Savannah months to send one
where she started it with Dear John but it ended with good-bye.
John was utterly heartbroken at the letter. She was already engaged to someone he did not
know. After this news, he got wounded when they were attacked by the Afghan the
rebels. He survived but was relieved from the army to heal. When he was already strong
and healed, he chose to continually serve in the army. His brokenness has made him lost
his reason to come home. He was only forced to go back to Charleston six years since he
left upon the news that his father had stroke.
Soon after, John's father died. One day, he decided to see Savannah, to know the reason
behind her choice. He found out that she married Tim, who at that time was suffering
from lymphoma. Upon Savannahs invitation, John visited Tim at the hospital and had a
heartfelt talk. Tim asked John to make Savannah happy and marry her when he passes
away. This selflessness of Tim made John realize he must live. John made the biggest
decision of his life to sell his father's coin collection in order for Tim to find treatment.
The treatment extend Tims life. Nevertheless, the inevitable happened. Several months
after Tims death, destiny made a way for John and Savannah to meet again. And they
both gave their love a second chance.