58 pages 1 hour read

Peter Hedges

What's Eating Gilbert Grape

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1991

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Part 5

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 5, Chapter 43 Summary

Amy asks Gilbert to talk to Ellen about drinking and boys. He tries, but when she responds with a negative attitude, he leaves, allowing Arnie to go in her room and rub his dirty body all over her bed. Gilbert makes his mother’s morning cereal before going into town. He stops at Dave’s gas station and learns that his regional manager recently visited and is happy with the way the station is running. Melanie drives up and gestures for Gilbert to follow her, so he ends his conversation with Dave and does so. They end up at the cemetery, where she suggests that since both Carvers are gone now, Gilbert and Melanie should find solace in each other.

Part 5, Chapter 44 Summary

Gilbert stops to check on Ellen when he passes Dairy Dream and finds a couple of construction workers’ trucks in the parking lot. He warns her about the guys, but she pushes him away, reminding him that he needs to get Arnie to take a bath. News spreads around town that Lance is going to anchor the news that night. The Church of Christ is renting a big-screen television for the event. Gilbert and Ellen argue at the dinner table until Bonnie yells at them to get along.