Analysis Of What's Eating Gilbert Grape

727 Words2 Pages

The film “What’s Eating Gilbert Grapes” illustrates the story of a young man named Gilbert Grapes residing in a small town of Endora, Iowa, with his family. Gilbert narrates his and his family’s life while depicting his true feelings despite the actual outcomes. The family resides in the home their father built, in an area detached from the community. As the film starts, viewers learn that Gilberts younger brother Arnie appears to be illustrating behaviors that suggest mental retardation and according to their local doctor, Arnie 's life expectancy was at the age of ten. Despite the odds, Arnie had made it to seventeen and in the process of celebrating his eighteenth birthday party. Addition to the Grapes, Gilbert has an older brother …show more content…

Such as, maintaining the household upkeeps, getting jobs, cooking, cleaning, and caring for their brother Arnie, while she stayed stationed on the couch, never moving. Arnie’s sporadic behavior and inability to comprehend consequences frequently got him into dangerous situations, such as climbing a water tower. Arnie needed their undivided attention at all times, in addition to catering to their mother. Subsequently, this stimulated resentment and negativity between brother and sister. Constant teasing, blaming, and pointing out their mistakes or inadequacy, became a routine for the siblings. Along with the communities, harsh judgment, and badgering, due to Betty 's weight, brought humiliation and caused them to hide …show more content…

However, everything shifted after FoodLand, a larger corporation opened up a few miles away, jeopardizing their small business. Aside from work Gilbert developed an inappropriate relationship with a married woman with two kids. However, it ended when Gilbert met a tourist named Becky. Becky took an interest in Gilbert 's life, asking questions that challenge his present state, as to where he wants to be in the future and aspirations. No one had ever asked Gilbert what he wanted. In the midst of spending time together, Gilbert lost focus on Arnie. The first time, Gilbert almost drowned Arnie by leaving him in the tub alone, and the second time he climbed the water yet again, but police weren 't as forgiving the fifth time around, which led to Arnie 's arrest. For the first time in years, Betty took charge and marched down to the station to bail her son out of jail. As Betty made her way out, members of her community humiliated her, as they laughed and snapped pictures. Betty 's kids attempted to be strong for her, but it became overwhelming, especially for Gilbert, having learned that Betty was leaving and Arnie didn 't present any compassion for either circumstance. Gilbert inability to suppress his anger, he physically attacked Arnie and fled the house. Returning the day of Arnie 's birthday, aware of his actions he apologized to Arnie and his

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