In Peter Hedges novel, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Gilbert, the main protagonist, has two important relationships to the plot of the book and to Gilbert himself. Gilbert has these relationships with the older, married Mrs. Betty Carver and the younger, single Becky. Mrs.Carver uses Gilbert more to fulfill her desires. While on the other hand, Becky overs a more personal and meaningful relationship to Gilbert. Both relationships differ in nature and what they offer to Gilbert and have different meanings to Gilbert . Both impact Gilbert in the aspects by offering different ways of escape, love, and healing. Mrs. Betty Carver and Gilbert have had a relationship for several years in the novel. Staring at a young age for Gilbert, the relationship…show more content… From that moment, Gilbert was always thinking about Becky in a sexual manner. Gilbert and Becky are able to quickly develop a close relationship in the novel. To Gilbert, Becky is a new, exciting opportunity in his life. Becky is able to make Gilbert feel alive again and pushes him to show emotion which is quite rare throughout the novel. Becky offers several different opportunities for Gilbert in comparison to what Mrs.Carver offered him. Becky tries throughout the novel to help Gilbert see what he truly wants. Becky offers Gilbert several ways to escape. She offers Gilbert a chance to escape his monotonous lifestyle and his past. Gilbert experiences the same tedious tasks of taking care of his mother and brother Arnie. Becky is an exciting new person that helps Gilbert see things in a different perspective. Becky also helps Gilbert heal from his past. For example, Becky helps Gilbert say goodbye to his school and its memories before it is burned down. Becky forces Gilbert to write on each chalkboard, even if it is a simple message. And when it comes to Mrs.Brainers room, Gilbert covers the entire board with the story of how he peed his pants and how his father committed suicide . Becky confronts Gilbert about it asking him how he feels saying “Nobody can remember the last time you cried…” (Hedges 156). By doing this, Becky is forcing Gilbert to realize how shallow of a person he
