Fear influences how humans react and the actions that occur. Some accept the feeling of fear; others try to overcome obstacles created by fear. Sometimes fear stimulates a strong self-isolation response to prevent the mind from accepting emotions. The answer, however, can manifest in extreme character, creating the personality exhibited by Gilbert Grape. Peter Hedges clearly communicates that Gilbert has undergone a transformation and that his personality reflects this change. The transformation not only causes Gilbert to be conflicted about expressing his feelings, but he also fears the guilt of doing so. Gilbert struggles to control his family's opinions, emotions, and actions. Peter Hedges illustrates the paralyzing nature of fear in What's Eating Gilbert Grape. Gilbert becomes emotionally isolated due to fear of judgment. Gilbert's relationship with the family, strained by fear of action and the reality of his life, creates the alienated personality that readers see. Throughout What's Eating Gilbert Grape, examples of his fear of judgment that paralyze him begin to surface. Gilbert says, “Something is wrong with all this food coming to my house. Something is wrong inside me, I start to think, but I change the subject” (112). Gilbert desperately wants to express how food negatively affects the entire family, especially himself. However, readers see that Gilbert cannot even argue with himself, demonstrating how fear truly plays a role in both his thoughts and his actions. Fear greatly hinders Gilbert's ability to develop any sort of protest against his family and himself. The example also proves that Gilbert feels guilt, as well as fear. Gilbert tries to hide the fa......middle of paper......91). At this point, Gilbert's fear of emotions has intensified because he is afraid of himself when emotions take over. Paralyzing fear weighs on Gilbert and he runs away from home. Gilbert begins to hate himself and fears for the safety of the family, because of the surprising actions he has committed. Gilbert then begins to question his ability to love someone. The only person he had always had somewhat positive feelings towards was the person he lashed out at because of Gilbert's frustration. Koper writes: “Often in Scripture, the first words spoken in an encounter with God were, “Do not be afraid.” For what? Because we cannot love what scares us” (Kopfer, p. 9). Kopfer explains that love becomes impossible if fear is present. Gilbert needs to accept what makes him human, but he fears his human side, creating the idea that emotion only has consequences..