Ordinary PeopleChapters 1-5

Chapter 1

  • Conrad Jarrett – protagonist – 17 years old
  • Depressed – dresses in anxious colors
  • “Razor blade bad?” (Guest 2).
  • Flashback … Hospitalized – about to go home – nervous
  • His “old life” is no longer there
  • Still questioning if he is ready to be home (one month later)
  • Makes lists, follows routines (calming)
  • Cutting hair – not ready to leave?
  • House too big for 3 people
  • “They do not discuss a problem in the presence of the problem” (Guest 4). DENIAL!!!

Chapter 2

  • Calvin Jarrett – 41 years old – dad – attorney
  • He was orphaned – mother had no money
  • Beth (mom) asks Cal to talk to Conrad – she is avoiding Con
  • Beth – very pretty – high maintenance
  • Three people in house – where is/are the other babies?
  • Cal questions his role as a father – knows what signs to look for NOW
  • Where are the friends that used to be around? Jordan (brother) – one year older
  • Cal takes responsibility for what happens – his role as a dad
  • BEFORE the hospital, Cal felt good about providing for his family
  • Con gets anxious when Cal mentions calling Dr. Berger
  • No mention of Beth visiting Con in the hospital
  • “’Don’t expect him to be the same person he was before’” (Guest 12).

Chapter 3

  • Con does not want to be alone with his mother – “she” “her”
  • Con feels like he misplaced his identity – thinks he can’t lose it because he never had it.
  • Con is in the car with his “friends” – Stillman teases him the whole ride
  • Con trying to keep it together – appearance of being ok
  • Buck = nickname for Jordan (Con’s brother)
  • Con is repeating the classes from last year
  • Con trying to be who he was last year
  • Teachers are treating him differently
  • English teacher feels a bit responsible – Con wrote violent poems last year
  • Choir is the only thing that calms Con down – his escape
  • Con meets Jeannine after choir practice – one from the car
  • At swim practice, the coach, Salan, asks Con a lot of inappropriate questions
  • Salan asks him if he enjoys swimming – Con says yes
  • Con wants to remain the same as last year
  • Stillman mentions how good two Sophomore swimmers are to Con – trying to get Con angry
  • Con and Mom home alone – superficial conversation
  • She does not want to discuss anything with him, shuts door in Con’s face

Chapter 4

  • Beth wants to go on vacation over Christmas – they always go away
  • Cal doesn’t want to go – wants to do something different than last year
  • Beth is selfish –“’-but I need it! I need to go!’” (Guest 29).
  • Jordan (Buck) died
  • Cal blames himself and Beth for everything
  • Conrad diagnosed with Depression and Suicidal tendencies

Chapter 5

  • Conrad meets Berger – his new psychiatrist
  • Con was in the hospital for 8 months – tried to kill himself
  • Con feels like he is on stage (everyone looking at him)
  • Jordan drowned on the lake – he was a swimmer
  • Con was with him on the lake
  • Con wants control
  • Con tells Berger Beth is not worried about him – subject of Mom makes him uncomfortable
  • Con likes the open and honest atmosphere of the hospital – Berger is same way
  • “So, how do you stay open, when nobody mentions anything, when everybody is careful not to mention it?” (Guest 45). What is “it”?
  • Depression?
  • Suicide attempt?
  • Jordan’s death?