Eating Gilbert Grape
Eating Gilbert Grapeeating gilbert grape - response
Topic 1: "I want to be a good person," says Gilbert. Does the film suggest that he achieves this?
At various times during the film, the dialogue and actions expressed by Gilbert and other characters, convince the audience that he wants to be a good person. The film puts together the whole image of Gilbert like a jigsaw, piece by piece, scene by scene. During the film, Becky has asked Gilbert what he wants. [The topic quotation was taken from this is the part of the film]. It is a general question, she wants him to tell her what he wants in life. He is deep in thought, as the audience observes his closed eyes, but takes his time in answering, which irritates Becky. Forced to speak, the words that come out of his mouth are - "a new house for his family, for Mama Grape to take aerobics classes, a new brain for Arnie (his disabled brother) and for Ellen to grow up". Becky admires this, but she prompts him, "What do you want for you." This shows the true kindness of Gilbert, he wants so much, and cares so much for other people, he forgets about himself. Gilbert's 'wants' started from wanting for his family, then his mother, Arnie, Ellen and we get the impression the list would have continued 'wanting' for other people, had Becky not interrupted.
Gilbert's good nature is apparent from the very start when he and Arnie are waiting for the caravans to pass through Endora. We can hear Gilbert describe the scene as a 'yearly ritual' in a very tired voice. Yet, we know he is doing it for Arnie. It pleases Arnie so much to see the caravans along the road, and Gilbert feels satisfaction that his brother is happy. To make someone else happy creates a warm feeling inside. From Gilbert's facial expressions and body language, the audience knows he gets this feeling an awful lot.
There is an impression created that Gilbert is leading a very unchanged, enclosed life from the way he describes the town, and the nostalgic tone that he uses to introduce his family. As the movie rolls on, Gilbert evidently tries to be a good person, it's just there are so many things eating him. Living in the town 'where nothing ever happens, and nothing ever will,' tied down to look after his family, same old job working in Lamson's grocery, same people, same routine. This life could eat anyone up. It could even be described as depressing and suffocating. Yet, the character of Gilbert Grape is...
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