deterioration, and to make ones actions understandable. Human nature is constantly forcing people

take a step backward and reevaluate all their decisions and behaviors. Isolating themselves from

their surroundings and not wanting any type of communication are the only ways they feel they can

regain the control they once had. In the novel Ordinary People, the Jarrett's find themselves in a

state of confusion that has left each one of them without any stability or sense of security. This

ultimately leads to the break up of the family. The strong family bond that was present in the past

is destroyed due to Conrad's suicide attempt, the reconstruction of control for each character is

dependant on one another, and in the end each character has developed a stronger understanding

Control within a household can be classified as having rules and routines to keep everyone

on track. There must be a knowledge of desired outcomes, and consequences if they are not met.

When the rules and routines fail, or when the love for each other starts to dw

the family endured, the bond was soon challenged and could not hold together. Conrad, Calvin,

Ordinary People focused on a family that was confused, and the only way they could overcome the

their first crisis when their son Buck drowned in a boating accident. Their second son, Conrad,

their family was torn apart by their mistakes, the development of each characters mental state

and Beth were all forced to reevaluate their methods of dealing with problems in order to

in the healing process. In the novel, Conrad is stuck on the fence when it comes to his decision on

would worry about what was coming next, Conrad is described as having, "No need for any more

Some common words found in the essay are:
Conrad Calvin, People Jarrett's, Calvin Beth, Understanding Concepts, Ordinary People, security stability, Jeff Piper*****, ordinary people, guest 1976, , *****written jeff piper*****, sense security, rules routines, strong family, major factor, family bond, *****written jeff, strong family bond, conrad calvin,
Approximate Word count = 1107
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)