Loathing In Peter Hedges What's Eating Gilbert Grape

781 Words4 Pages

Conquering, understanding, and expressing the feelings within us are often times not easily understood. Peter Hedges’ What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, follows a family of seven. This family of seven has been faced with many burdens, yet still find a way to be their own type of loving while pushing through their struggles- some faster than others. Gilbert Grape, is arguably the character who struggles the most to find joy in himself, life, and others. Even though we, as readers, are shown the side of Gilbert's loathing and self-pity throughout the majority of the book, we also get glimpses of extreme dedication and care for his family. Showing two very opposite sides of Gilbert changes opinions on the man he is conceived to be. Through the length …show more content…

Just as any relationship, Gilbert can sense this and gets excited. Once he gets as attached as he ever will, he pulls back. Once Becky faces the facts and discovers Gilbert portrays no emotional expressions at all, she calls him out on it. ““Feelings, Gilbert. They’re what normal people are supposed to have [...] You stopped having feelings a long time ago. Look at you”” (226). He argues with her and says he does have feelings and she laughs at him. To any other level headed person, this conversation would be extremely eye opening, but what do Gilbert do? Completely drops her out of his life. Not being able to come to terms with his inner feelings himself, he definitely does not want to hear it from anyone …show more content…

Janice explains, “You’re the only one, Gilbert, who defies a kind of definition or comprehension. I mean, one doesn’t know what you want [...] You are a scared little boy” (161). After this comment is made, it is Gilbert’s turn to not be scared. But he proves that materialistically by hiking up his speed up to 110 miles per hour, leaving Janice trembling in fear. He believes he has proven to Janice that he is not scared, but she does not look at him any differently because she was explaining he is scared with himself and life- scared of