Competing Demands In What's Eating Gilbert Grape

The Ill Effects of Competing Demands Most individual’s emotional health directly affects their ability to maintain a high quality of life. Gilbert Grape experienced this rippling effect in the movie, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? Gilbert is a smart capable man, but encumbered by his emotional baggage. Instead of searching out for support and solace from his loved ones, he withdrew himself emotionally and proceeded to try to handle his competing demands alone. Gilbert’s reaction to his emotional conflict created a rift between him and his loved ones. Without trust between Gilbert and his family, the lack of support depleted his emotional health. His constant brooding affected his intellectual and physical state, because he was short on sleep,

He loves his family; he has taken on the responsibility of being the father figure, but his shame and grief towards his family prevented Gilbert from moving forward. Gilbert’s brother Arnie, often reminded him of this fact by saying, “We’re not going anywhere, are we?” Gilbert always agreed sullenly. These moments indicate how bitter he feels towards his family. He blames mama for forcing him to grow up. He tells his friends that, “She’s a whale,” because he is ashamed of what his family has become in the absence of their dad. All of these feelings are boiling up inside of Gilbert. Keeping all of his demanding feelings to himself, which resulted in weakening his meaningful relationships. Disrespecting his mama creates distance between himself and his family. At the table, Gilbert brings up their dad’s death to aggregate Ellen. It results in Arnie chanting, “Dad’s dead! Dad’s dead!” The whole family let out their tension in a unified outburst at dinner. Gilbert no longer emotionally capable of handling his competing demands alone. The pressure was driving the Grape family

After compiling a plan, Gilbert confronted mama, asking for her to meet Becky. Mama resisted, but he said, “No. This is what I want. Do it for me, please? This is different. Nobody’s gonna laugh” He took charge over his demands and proved to himself that he was a good person; that he did not feel shameful of her obesity. The conversation also formed a stronger bond between mama and Gilbert, which elevated his emotional and social wellness. He expanded his vulnerability to include his mother, and therefore started to move past his motionless state of mind. Furthermore through the conversation with mama in bed. She said, “You're my knight in shimmering armour.” Her statement was a confirmation to Gilbert, that his previous exchange of vulnerability with mama was a positive one. He was no longer wrestling with his competing demands. Which is proven after mama’s death, and the vulnerable reaction from Gilbert. His sister Ellen shows shame by saying, “You may need the National Guard to move her out of here… It’s gonna take a crane.” Gilbert proves enlightened by showing vulnerability to the rest of the family by responding, “She's no joke. She's no joke. I'm not gonna let her be a joke.” Honoring mama’s dying wish to never be a joke, was Gilbert’s sign of change; that he truly respected, and felt empathetic of mama’s own personal