Loyalty and Shame in What's Eating Gilbert Grape

Gilbert expresses his loyalty to his family in many ways. Gilbert helps throw Arnie his 18th birthday party, goes to the supermarket to get Arnie's cake, even though he said he would never go to the supermarket, and Gilbert takes Momma to town to "free Arnie." Gilbert also expresses shame in many ways. He burns down the house because the family is ashamed of their mother. Gilbert expresses shame when he goes into the supermarket, and when he repeatedly has to get Arnie down from the water tower.