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Friendship And Responsibility In What's Eating Gilbert Grape?

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Q1- Compare the ways in which the authors of both texts explore the themes of friendship and responsibility. Throughout author John Steinbeck’s, Of Mice and Men and director Lasse Hallström’s What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?, there is a strong theme of friendship and responsibility affiliated with each character. Much like Gilbert and Arnie’s relationship, for the duration of the novella George and Lennie are seen as friends despite all they have gone through together. Even though George’s life is disturbed considerably by Lennie’s presence, he still stands by Lennie and continues to guide him through life. This friendship is much the same as the connection between Lennie and George, with Lennie being entirely dependent on George and his guidance. George and Gilbert act as the leaders and protectors of Lennie and Arnie, being responsible for their every action and helping to keep others from hassling them. In return, Arnie and Lennie each try their best to do the right thing by their protectors, returning the favour in their own way and only on a few occasions disobeying their guidance. “Lennie: I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that's why.” Although when this situation does occur, both Gilbert and George are generally supportive and understand how their mind works; as seen in the following quote from Of Mice and Men. Lennie said, "I thought you was mad at me, George." "No," said George. "No, Lennie, I ain't mad. I never been mad, and I ain' now.

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