"Ordinary people" by Judith Guest
...tly concerned with the way people view her and her family. She wishes for everyone to see them as "normal". She buried her love with Buck and, therefore, neglects Conrad because she no longer understands how to love. Beth feels that Con had intended to hurt her as much as himself when he had tried to commit suicide. She can only see things in terms of how they effect her. She thinks that everyone feels this way and that perhaps she is simply more honest about it. At one point, Beth states that she does not hate Conrad for what he has done, but that she can not forgive him for it. In a way she can not forgive him for surviving. On the other hand, Cal, having grown up an orphan and having no father figure himself, struggles to understand how he should react to his son's feeling s and actions. Cal feels as if Beth and Con are drifting away in opposite directions, and he does not know which direction he should follow. Cal senses that he is somewhat responsible for Con's failed attempt at suicide. Con's self-confident psychiatrist, Dr. Berger, helps Con to express his feelings and encourages him to do what he wants instead of what people expect him to do. Berger is unorganized and spontaneous which works to the benefit of Conrad. Con finds comfort in Berger's friendship and his willingness to listen. Karen is also a valued friend of Conrad. She was in the hospital at the same time he was, and they helped each other get through the hard times. When Con left the hospital, they lost contact until one day he called her and they met in a restaurant. When talking with Conrad, Karen displays a false sense of enthusiasm for the coming years. Conrad is later shocked to hear that Karen has committed suicide. This event causes him to release all his suppressed anguish and let down his shields to his emotions. Jeannine is Conrad's girlfriend who is there for him and allows him to feel needed. She is the only person who actually asks Con about what he had felt when he tried to commit suicide. The major conflict in the story is an internal one between Con and himself. Conrad struggles to cope with the drastic changes occurring in his life. He wants to please everyone. Con will not allow himself to feel or express emotion for fear of becoming vulnerable. There are many other minor conflicts that occur within the story. One example is an external conflict between Conrad and Beth. Con and his mother find it hard to communicate for the fact that both are too unwilling and stubborn to forgive each other. Also, Beth and Cal experience an external conflict because the circumstances have caused them to grow apart, and question their love for one another. Conrad also experiences problems with his friends. Conrad, in this external conflict, discovers that most of his friends are "pricks". They do not u...