Care

The struggle young people go through trying to find a balance between responsibility and freedom in their life is displayed in Lasse Hallstorm ‘s film “what’s eating Gilbert Grape”. This film portrayed the story of a young man, Gilbert Grape who has to find a balance between responsibility and freedom in his life. The essay’s intention is to describe important internal conflict that existed in Gilbert. The verbal and visual features in the film helped me understand why the internal conflict going on in Gilbert was so important.

The film started with Gilbert and Arnie sitting by the side of the road waiting to watch the campers drive past. Gilbert said, “my bother Arnie is turning eighteen and my family is planning a big party. Some days you want Arnie to live, some days you don’t “. This verbal feature helped me understand that Gilbert is responsible for Arnie and he is unhappy with this responsibility and it is frustrating for him as he must always be there with Arnie. An example of this is when he went to deliver the groceries for Betty Carver and told Arnie to wait in the car, by the time Gilbert returned to the car Arnie was gone was climbing the water tower. This visual feature shows us that Gilbert must always have a watchful eye on Arnie at all times and because of this it is frustrating and wants freedom. The director included the water tower as a symbol of Arnie’s at risk nature and also symbolises that Arnie could go at any time.

Gilbert has too many responsibilities and not enough freedom because he is always watching Arnie and working at Lampson grocery. When Becky comes to town she offers Gilbert a taste of freedom. When she tells Gilbert to lie down and tell her what he wants. This verbal feature helps me understand that Gilbert has never been asked what he wants because he is always has responsibilities to fulfil. Gilbert is torn between the responsibilities that have been placed on him and the freedom that Becky is offering him. He is trying