Whats Eating Gilbert Grape
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Freedom gives individuals the right to live their lives the way they want within reasonable boundaries. There are limits to freedoms as well as boundaries. This is explored perfectly in the town of Endora where civilisation is at its lowest and where freedom is all but non-existent.
Endora is presented as a remote town that is overlooked by tourists and is only seen as a pit stop. The locals live dull but eccentric lives and jump at the sign of excitement and gossip. Any external arrivals are entrapped in Endora for as long as EndoraЎЇs clutches can grasp them. This occurs when Becky and her grandmother are virtually stranded in Endora when their caravan has engine trouble. We are shown the level of remoteness of Endora when the mechanic tells BeckyЎЇs grandmother that it might take a couple of days to get the parts for their caravan. BeckyЎЇs grandmother is astonished and instantly knows that they are trapped in Endora.
Gilbert plays an important role in his family. They are very dependent on him, and because of this he is stuck with them in Endora. He is unable to break free of the shackles and when he meets Becky he realises how different her life is. Part of him is happy that he has a permanent home but another part is envious of the freedom and mobility Becky possesses. Becky says that she loves the sky, ÐŽoitЎЇs so limitlessÐŽ±. It is ironic she says this when sheЎЇs in Endora, because anything could look limitless compared to Endora. Becky is a lot like the sky because she herself is free and limitless.