Wednesday, September 29, 2010

What's Eating Gilbert Grape? Extra Credit

If you stayed after school Monday to watch What's Eating Gilbert Grape?, please respond to the following before 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 3.

Choose one character from the movie, and compare/contrast that character with one from The Grapes of Wrath. Give at least three connections that demonstrate the similarity you see. Don't think along black-and-white lines; go deeper. As always.

14 comments:

Jesse said...

Gilbert Grape and Jim Casy are similar in that they both kind of roa, through their life without any true motive. Both these characters were doing some thing previously that they made a decision to stop. Gilbert was having an affair with the local attorney's wife while Jim preached and slept with multiple girls. In addition, both were always thinking about something whether it be Arnie or one really big soul that we are all connected to. Ultimately, both reacted in certain situations in a unexpected way. Jim kicked the deputy and took the blame, while Gilbert punched his brother.These men pondered, didn't know what they wanted in life and learned something in the end that either killed them or set them free.

Jesse said...

"roa"= roamed

Jessica said...

Both Ma Joad and Gilbert Grape emerge as the family's center of strength. In the movie,Gilbert is given all the responsibilities of the family letting go of his hopes and dreams he once had. For example, now Arnie is his life. In the book, in order for the journey to be achieved Ma put others in front of her to unite her family and keep on encouraging them to keep on moving. An example being the time she cooked for her family and gave some to kids who need it. They both display a capacity to keep themselves together as to keep the family together. They are the strongest supporters of family togetherness. Both characters suggests that even the most horrible circumstances like Ma's mothers death and Gilbert's mother death can be weathered with grace and dignity. They both moved on with their life's and hoped for the best. The theme of carpe diem is shown in both the book and the movie.

Diane said...

Gilbert Grape and Ma Joad are both similar. In the movie, Gilbert is the one who keeps the family under control and is constantly watching out for his younger siblings. In the novel Ma is the family's rock. She knows exactly what to say when situations turn out to be rough and that she's always keeping a positive outlook on things. In the movie, Gilbert is the oldest, and he deals with harsh things throughout his life such as his mother's death. Although his mother never contributed much, Gilbert's mom was essential to help out him and the family. In the novel, Ma's mom died which was tragic for the family. It wasn't easy to deal with, but Ma had to move on and help out her family travel to California. Both characters portray a sense of hope throughout their lives. To never give up and not let the downfalls of life get the best of you are what these characters represent.

Larissa said...

Gilbert Grape and Ma are two silmilar characters in the fact that they both act as the "glue" that keep the family together. In the movie, Gilbert grape takes care of his family and acts as both a protector and a provider. He is in charge of his younger brother and takes care of him like his own. In the Grapes of Wrath Ma is in charge of taking care of everyone and constantly struggles to protect and provide hope for everyone in the family. Both characters put everyone else in front of themselves because they understand that if they “break” then the family will break too. Both character lie as a symbol of unity and hope that must exist in a family so that it won’t fall apart.

Ma'ghan :) said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ma'ghan :) said...

Gilbert Grape and Ma Joad are similar to each other, as both being the machine keeping everyone moving. They are forced to step up and become the breadwinner and the advocate of each family. Each character is given responsibilities well out of each other's reach, but each manage to overcome each obstacle. Whether it be Gilbert and having to take care of Artie as if it was his own son, or Ma facing any bearing that is put in the families way. Each character puts other's ahead of themselves, showing the heroism each possess throughout the movie/book.

Unknown said...

I believe that Gilbert Grape and Ma are two characters that have alot in common. both charachters put upon themselves to take care of the family even when no one told them to. They both felt the obligation to do more and that build up alot of stress and frustration. Gilbert goes and hits his brother and runs off while Ma starts screaming at her family telling them that she is leaving and they can stay if they want to. Even after the loss of a family member they both keep strong not for themselves but for the family because they know that the family depends alot on them.

Unknown said...

Arnie Grape and Rose of Sharon Joad are similar because they both are held back from their aspirations. Arnie, with his need for adventure, is captured in the small town. Rose of Sharon is held back by the depression and her husband Connie's blind dreams. Arnie is taken off his water tower as he climbs to the sky, while Rose of Sharon is heart broken by the departure of her husband Connie. Arnie is always seen with Gilbert because he has dedicated his life to him, just like Ma has to her family and specifically Rose of Sharon. In the end, Gilbert and Arnie leave the death that is their town while Ma and Rose of Sharon bring life to a dying man.

Unknown said...

In the movie with Gilbert Grape and the novel Grapes of Wrath, the two characters that are similar would be Gilbert and Ma because the two both try to keep the family together. Also, Ma is the main one who takes care of Rose and Gilbert takes care of his little brother. Another similarity would be how Gilbert thought of the way to burn the house so no one would make fun of his mom and Ma was the one to think of the family to move from the shelter and go to higher ground. Last, both characters are the silent ones throughout the stories but step in when it comes to unlose. The different would be Gilbert does not seem so settle he becomes frustrated but Ma stays calm and settled throughout the story.

-samantha

Unknown said...

In the movie with Gilbert Grape and the novel Grapes of Wrath, the two characters that are similar would be Gilbert and Ma because the two both try to keep the family together. Also, Ma is the main one who takes care of Rose and Gilbert takes care of his little brother. Another similarity would be how Gilbert thought of the way to burn the house so no one would make fun of his mom and Ma was the one to think of the family to move from the shelter and go to higher ground. Last, both characters are the silent ones throughout the stories but step in when it comes to unlose. The different would be Gilbert does not seem so settle he becomes frustrated but Ma stays calm and settled throughout the story.
-SAMANHA MAR.

Unknown said...

In the movie with Gilbert Grape and the novel Grapes of Wrath, the two characters that are similar would be Gilbert and Ma because the two both try to keep the family together. Also, Ma is the main one who takes care of Rose and Gilbert takes care of his little brother. Another similarity would be how Gilbert thought of the way to burn the house so no one would make fun of his mom and Ma was the one to think of the family to move from the shelter and go to higher ground. Last, both characters are the silent ones throughout the stories but step in when it comes to unlose. The different would be Gilbert does not seem so settle he becomes frustrated but Ma stays calm and settled throughout the story.

Unknown said...

In eating gilbert grape bonnie and ma are similar in the fact that they both do the best they can to keep the family together. Although bonnie in the movie is not much of a productive person for the family she makes sure that all of her children are well kept and well mannered; this is similar to ma Joad because she tends after the family and makes sure everything is running well. Also ma is also similar to the mon in gilber grape beacuase they both give the family the courage they need to stay together and go on in the times of tough adversity. This is by chace I just copied and paste because he had to email it to me.

araceli said...

Gilbert Grape and Ma are similar. In the Grapes of wrath Ma has to overcome the death of her mother and she has to put up with what life gives her. Throughout the book she has to keep her family united and somehow she always finds a way to make things better. Gilbert Grape also takes care of his siblings specially Arnie and even though he always puts everyone in front of him he stays this way until the end just like Ma. Neither one of this characters change they are both caring and hopeful so that their families make it through.