Ordinary People Essay free essay sample

Earth has experienced sadness and heartbreak. Some instances are harder to cope with than others. Death of a loved one can be the hardest to deal with. That is the very thing Conrad must deal with in Judith Guest’s book, Ordinary People. Con and Buck grew up together as brothers and best friends. Until, there was a boating accident that took Buck’s life. The story involves how Con and his family get through life without Buck anymore. There are many characters in this book that have had some role in helping Con cope with the loss of his beloved brother. Three people that have an impact on his recovery from the sadness are Berger, Calvin, and Jeannine. Berger is a therapist who quickly befriends Con, and helps him out of his depressed and saddened state. Berger is described to be an adult figure in Con’s life that he can talk openly to, and gain life guidance from. This has a huge impact on the way Con handles situations that could end badly otherwise. One example of this is when Con is at one of his evening sessions with Berger. At this particular session, Berger is teaching Con how to handle his anger, which is instrumental for his recovery. â€Å"When it comes, there’s always too much of it. I don’t know how to handle it. † â€Å"Sure, I know,† Berger says. â€Å"It’s a closet full of junk. You open the door and everything falls out (78). † This quote shows how Berger and Con really understand each other, and connect with each other. Con can’t get rid of his feelings without Beth or Cal getting upset or flustered. Berger just lets him do and say whatever, and he helps to decipher his feelings. Another example of Berger playing an important role in his recovery is when Con calls an emergency meeting with Berger. Con wants to see Berger because he found an article in the newspaper that said his friend Karen from the hospital had committed suicide. He then recalls his suicidal attempt and panics. â€Å"The thing that hurts you,† Berger says, â€Å"is sitting on yourself. Not letting yourself connect with your own feelings. It is screwing you up, leading you off on chases that don’t go anywhere (225). This quote shows that Berger really understands what Con is having issues with, and also how to help Con get through the tough times. If Con didn’t have Berger at that time, he could have taken matters into his own hands, and let his anger out on himself; instead of out loud to Berger. He could have physically hurt himself, and possibly attempted at committing suicide; following in Karen’s footsteps. Although Berger is a good friend and mentor towards Con, he needs someone his age, someone the same to Karen in gender; to help him get thorough the hard times. Jeannine is a girl at school whom Con meets through choir. She thinks he has a lovely voice, and their friendship flourishes from then on; eventually leading to a date. Males and females need a partner; someone to show love towards and spend time with. That is exactly what Jeannine gives to Con, which helps him grow out of his depression and longing for Buck. This quote takes place after Jeannine has heard Con sing tenor for the choir. â€Å"I’m getting to know your voice now. You’re the tenor who stays on pitch†¦. You have much better tone than Ron (101). This quotes shows that Jeannine is offering positive feedback in Con’s life, which is much needed. Con does not get many people congratulating him and praising him. This is important for him, and Jeannine gives that to him. If Con only had bad comments passed to him, he would never be happy in life. He needs that encouragement that Jeannine is offering. Another example of Jeannine playing a role in Conâ⠂¬â„¢s recovery is when Con and Jeannine go out bowling and afterwards to McDonalds. â€Å"And it is all right after that. She is right; she’s a lousy bowler but a good listener, a quick learner. He gives her all the tips he can, and she absorbs them easily, trying very hard. And besides she looks terrific up there, no matter what happens to the ball (169). † This quotes shows how Con is getting into a relationship, and using all of the energy he has to get to know Jeannine and spend time with her, instead of using that energy to think about Buck and be in a miserable state of mind. In a way, Jeannine is helping Con keep his mind off of Buck, and onto a more positive thing; her. Although having a female friend to spend time with is beneficial to Con, he needs a male figure that is close to him in relation. Sons need their fathers, and Cal has helped Con in fatherly ways. Calvin is Conrad’s father. At times, he is very supportive and understanding towards Con. But sometimes, Beth has a way of sweeping Cal away from their son. But when those good times between father and son occur, they play instrumental roles in Con’s life. This first quote takes place when Con has revealed to his parents that he quit the swim team. Beth is enraged that he has been lying to her and Cal, and the argument ends with Con racing up to his room. Once Con has left the room, Cal stands up for Con. â€Å"Ah, Beth, crissake, lay off, will you? I feel like I’ve been at a goddamn tennis match tonight! Back and forth, back and forth—(111). † This quote shows that Cal is more apt to understand Con and not to take any anger out on him, like Beth does. He understands where Con’s anger is coming from, while Beth is not at all understanding and kind. Another example of Cal helping Con cope with the sadness of life is when Beth has become sick of Cal treating her as â€Å"poor old Beth†, and she has left for a trip by herself. Con is now at the house alone with Cal, when they have a loving fatherly son conversation together. â€Å"I’m not disappointed,† Conrad says. â€Å"I love you man. † He winces, and this throat is tight, his eyes filled with sudden tears. â€Å"I love you, too (259). † This quote really illustrates how Con has really been accepting Cal’s fatherly presence in his life, and not just letting his words come in one ear and out the other. Con and Cal have a strong bond after all of their hardships that has kept Con on the right track of life. Three people that have an impact on his recovery from the sadness are Berger, Calvin, and Jeannine. But all three have helped in different ways. A friendly therapist, who acts as a friend towards Con, and is always open to listen to whatever he has to say. A sweet girl, who gives him someone to hang out with, and help him keep his mind off of Buck. Last but not least, Cal, a loving father and shoulder to cry on in Con’s sadness filled life.