Gilbert Grape

8 Pages 1985 Words

reverse and almost run over Ellen and drive off. This scene shows the deep down dislike the two siblings have for each other. Although there wasn’t one word said to each other in the scene their actions showed everything. When the family is in the car to go pick up Arnie Ellen says to Gilbert, “ At least he’s [Arnie] in a safe place. At least somebody is watching him.” Her tone was very sarcastic and intended to make Gilbert feel bad once again showing her lack of appreciation for her older brother. She was implying that Gilbert doesn’t take good care of Arnie and just leaves him to run around and do whatever he wants. Gilbert doesn’t say anything back to her but it is evident from his facial expression that it bothered him to hear that. Gilbert doesn’t care about much besides his family and when is asked by Becky what he wants all his responses are directed to helping out his family and brother, so when Ellen says that he doesn’t do his job it bothers him deeply.
Another person in Gilbert’s Family that leads to his distress is his mother Bonnie. Gilbert doesn’t like how his mom has reacted to his father hanging himself. Gilbert says, “ […] and then theres momma who in her day was the prettiest girl in these parts...