The outward portrayal of the matriarchal character Bonnie in the film "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?" stays largely constant as the story unfolds. She remains morbidly obese, always dressed plainly in the same clothes that pull at her immense body, depicting a rather uncomfortable scene whenever she is in frame. But the depiction of Bonnie's distressing, yet perpetually enormous body does not parallel the internal transformation she underwent. .

             Following the suicide of her husband, Bonnie Grape hadn't left her house in seven years, becoming largely immobilized and was essentially held prisoner by her home. But after her son Arnie, who is mentally handicapped, was put in jail, Bonnie stayed true to her matriarchal role and faced her vulnerabilities by leaving her home to help him. Bonnie Grape's decision to confront her insecurities with her body and the shame, fear and other slew of emotions that come with it is one of the most important parts of the film. Before this act of courage, Bonnie Grape was a mere spectacle. She was viewed by people with disgust, astonishment, pity, and worst of all, fear. But after regaining her self-empowerment by reclaiming control over her body, Bonnie was portrayed in a much different light. Bonnie Grape's decision to tackle her body issues allow her to transform into a woman with more to offer than a spectacle or means of cruel entertainment. She is representative of the weight the world places on people of excessive size and is an example of how people who suffer from obesity can overcome such stereotypes.

             Bonnie Grape and food are practically a package deal; they're never seen without each other in the beginning of the film. In the approximate eleven scenes Bonnie is pictured in before she finally leaves her home, some food item accompanies her. The food can be most accurately described as a figurative extension of Bonnie herself, as it symbolizes the source that many of her problems stem from.