Gilbert’s Overriding Characteristic Is That Of Lov

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In the compelling movie of “What’s eating Gilbert Grape” directed by Lasse Hallström, Gilbert Grape is introduced as an attentive, caring brother in particular to Arnie, who has a disability and needs extra care and attention. This is especially because their father is no longer around after hanging himself in the basement and Mama is to big to even take care of herself. This puts a lot more strain and responsibility onto his whole family but Gilbert in particular. The movie demonstrates the many ways in which Gilbert shows his love, shoulders responsibility and deals with frustration as a result of his relationships with his family. Gilbert’s feels stuck in the dull town of Endora. Living with his obese Mama who he is ashamed of “She’s a whale,” as seen in the eyes of Gilbert and the community. His immature sister Ellen “I want Ellen to grow up.” Caring mother-like figure Amy “My older sister Amy is more like a mother.” And mentally disabled brother Arnie “Doctors said we’d be lucky if Arnie lived to be ten... Now the doctors are saying any time now.” Because of Arnies disability he compulsively climbs the towns water tower, getting him down Gilbert sings to him “match in the gas tank boom, boom.” When Gilbert’s mother dies, he comes up with the idea to burn her down with the house else “it’s gonna take a crane to get her out.” and there would be a crowd “I just know there’s gonna be a crowd” Throughout the course of the movie Gilbert plays a strong father figure and is heavily relied on because of this. One of his many duties is to keep up the repairs on the house “My Dad built the house, and it’s my job to keep up the repairs.” another more large responsibility of his is Mama, after the suicide of her husband, Mama, who was once the most beautiful girl in her youth, lost her sense of self worth. Feeling as though she had nothing to live and strive for, she

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