who relate to one another through a series of extensive defense mechanisms, i.e. an

unconscious process whereby reality is distorted to reduce or prevent anxiety. The book

opens with seventeen year old Conrad, son of upper middle-class Beth and Calvin Jarrett,

home after eight months in a psychiatric hospital, there because he had attempted suicide

by slashing his wrists. His mother is a meticulously orderly person who, Jared, through

projection, feels despises him. She does all the right things; attending to Jared's physical

needs, keeping a spotless home, plays golf and bridge with other women in her social

circle, but, in her own words "is an emotional cripple". Jared's father, raised in an

orphanage, seems anxious to please everyone, a commonplace reaction of individuals who,

as children, experienced parental indifference or inconsistency. Though a successful tax

attorney, he is jumpy around Conrad, and, according to his wife, drinks too many martinis.

Conrad seems consumed with despair. A return to normalcy, school and home-life, appear

to be more than Conrad can handle.Chalk-faced, hair-hacked Conra

father is more open with Conrad, moving closer to him, while his mother goes off on her

you, Dad." Calvin, the orphan says, "Grief is ugly. It is something to be afraid of, to get

that, "When you let yourself feel, all you feel is lousy." When his psychiatrist questions

Some common words found in the essay are:
William Helmreich, Beth Conrad's, Dr Berger, Calvin Jarrett, Encyclopedia Britannica, Judith Guest, Calvin Razoring, Calvin Conrad's, Safety Definitely, Dad Calvin, mad conrad, conrad moving, feel guilty, conrad responds, express anger, mad conrad responds, ordinary people, conrad consumed, conrad feelings,
Approximate Word count = 1208
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)