In this paper I intend to show how the loss of a brother can have the same effects on two different people like Holden Caulfield and Conrad Jarrett. Both of their lives are turned upside down after the difficult loss of a family member.

In the book Ordinary People, Conrad Jarrett has a good life and loving family when his brother dies in a sailboating accident. Conrad feels lost and confused and he attempts to take his own life as a way out. He spends eight months in a mental institution and when he comes out he discovered he is a completely different person and has the realization that his old definition of normality no longer applies. A once-unified family splits into three guarded, isolated members who can no longer share anything with one another.

Dr. Tyrone C. Berger helps Conrad by taking him back through the death of his brother and anguish of life without Buck, his older brother and idol. He teaches

Conrad and his family that love, openly shared, is the only thing they can count on to give them strength for the test they call life.

Holden is hurt by his loss and takes a negative attitude towards life. He read a sign that stated "Since 1888 Pency has been molding boys into splendid, clear-thinking young men." Holden comments by saying:

I feel sorry for both kids, because the loss of a brother is something that I imagine would be almost impossible to endure. But I believe the grieving process is different depending on the person who suffers the loss. Both characters handled this loss in the best way they knew possible. They both and up days and down days where their emotions were like rollercoasters rising high and falling low with rapidly.

Strictly for the birds. They don't do and damn more molding at Pency than they do at any other school. And I didn't know anybody there that was splendid and clear-thinking and all. Maybe two guys. If tha

Some common words found in the essay are:
Holden English, Conrad Jarrett, Rye Holden, Tyrone Berger, Catcher Rye, splendid clear-thinking, Ordinary People, catcher rye, family love, ordinary people, conrad jarrett,
Approximate Word count = 653
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)