In any type of literature or film, there needs to be a dynamic character to bring feelings and depth to the movie. In the movie, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?, the director, Lasse Hallström, shows that while the protagonist struggles through relationships, entrapment, and death. Gilbert finds the strength and acquires the wisdom to pursue his authentic self, and the will to abandon the fatherly responsibilities he needed to take on. A great example of how Gilbert is a dynamic character is shown he is shown through his relationship with Mama. Mama is morbidly obese and has not left the house in seven years. She is so morbidly obese that she has given up her responsibilities as a parent and passed the responsibilities to her children the same the father did by killing himself.. Gilbert has now become the father figure who has to watch over Arnie and make money for the family. Gilbert has no time or thoughts for himself. …show more content…
Gilbert is burdened with responsibility for his disabled brother Arnie, who traps Gilbert because he requires constant care and supervision. Whenever Gilbert tries to do something for himself, Arnie runs off and climbs the water tower and Gilbert has to run after him. Gilbert also protects Arnie as much as he can, however, this changes when he hurts Arnie in frustration and almost leaves Endora. His frustration makes him only care for himself in that moment. The house itself is an example of entrapment. Throughout the house, there are stripes everywhere. There are stripes on cups, walls, and windows and the stripes are like bars in a jail cell keeping him within the