Extraorinary Conflicts

A detailed Summary of Extraorinary Conflicts

Ordinary People by Judith Guest is a very emotional book that deals with many

thoughts and actions about life and suicide. A lot of people would have different opinions

or perspectives about this story. My thesis question for this book is: Does the author

Judith Guest try to prove that even the perfect family can fall apart? In this novel, regular

or "ordinary people" have to learn to cope with many extraordinary crises.

In Ordinary People, Conrad Jarrett is a seventeen year old boy attending a public

high school in the suburbs of Illinois. He and his family go through many stressful

struggles after Conrad's brother Jordan dies in a boating accident. Jordan's death

influences Conrad so much that he even cuts up his wrists and tries to commit suicide but

he does not die. Conrad struggles with a lot of things including school, quitting the

swimming team, and his friends. Conrad's mother Beth, is a perfectionist and is always

concerned about the way people view her and her family. She wishes for everyone to see

them as "normal". Conrad's Dad Cal feels he is somewhat responsible for Conrad's

suicide attempt. He also believes that Conrad and Beth are drifting a

of Jeanine and therefore is motivated to do the right thing for himself.

motivate that is important to him is his girlfriend Jeannine. She is always there for him and

reason. She never feels the need to forgive him for what he has done to himself. This

each other. One reason they fight is because Cal lets Conrad run over him a lot and he

extraordinary crises. The whole Jarrett family tries to cope with Jordan's death but they

Conrad says "I wanted to commit suicide because I needed more sleep and less stress".

Conrad saying: "No need for anymore words. The sun is on his back . He could fall

Approximate Word count = 1264
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels

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