Ordinary People Analysis The book ‘Ordinary People’ by: Judith Guest uses characterization, perspective, and theme to depict the struggling Jarret family coping with their loss. The story uses both indirect and direct characterization to elaborate on the character’s flaws and personality traits. There is also a reoccurring theme throughout the storyline that remains constant, while the characters abiding by the theme, don't. “Brush his teeth first? What pants should he wear? What shirt?” (pg. 2). This indirectly shows Conrad’s indecisive personality. Right from the first few pages, the audience can already infer that Conrad is a troubled character. He has a difficult time just getting out of be in the morning and making basic decisions. “No, he is not much like that kid,” (Pg. 12). The book also uses direct characterization to further develop the characters. Conrad is directly saying he has changed. He is different from his precious self ever since the boating accident. The perspective used in ‘Ordinary People’ also alters from chapter to chapter to develop the characters as well. “Weightless with joy, he …show more content…
watches while his son assumes the burden of his small decisions,”(pg. 106). The 3rd person omniscient perspective allows the audience know what specific character is thinking at a given time. Calvin is relieved with joy when Conrad is enthusiastic about the Christmas tree decision. The book changes its viewpoint from each chapter. It oscillates between Calvin and Conrad’s perspective, while still implementing the omniscient perspective to describe how other characters are feeling. “A little advice about feeling.
Don’t think too much about it,”(pg. 100). Overthinking is a recurring theme in ‘Ordinary People’. In the first half of the book Conrad is told by Calvin and Breger to not overthink. After regaining his confidence, and his long discussions with Breger, Conrad stopped overthinking. He started going out with Jeannie and he quit the swim team to focus on himself more. Ironically, his father started to overthink in the second half of the book, and lead to a reversal of characteristics. “There’s nothing wrong with you dad,” (pg. 143). Conrad is the one in the end who reassured his father he was okay. It was his father who eventually overthought everything. He lost his relationship with his wife, Beth, while Conrad maintained a relationship with Jeannie. Calvin cared and stressed too much about calvin, he didn’t listen to his own
advice. In conclusion, ‘Ordinary People’ is a book with dynamic characters, struggling to find themselves. It uses characterization to determine the character’s traits. The usage of indirect and direct characterization gave reflections of the protagonist’s flaws. It lead the audience to believe and feel for the situation the character’s were in. The use of perspective helped to draw parallels with Conrad and Calvin within their conflicts by switching between their perspectives. Their similar conflicts helped them see eye to eye, while they both drifted away from Beth. She appeared to be too tenacious and unwilling to alter her schedule to cope with their struggles. Finally, the usage of theme; Overthinking, played a major role in the story. It lead to the downfall of Calvin and Conrad in different times in the book. “Waiting for whatever comes next,” (pg.259). In the end, Conrad and Calvin stopped overthinking and simply decided to take life as it comes. Calvin’s worries for his son diminished, and the characters were more understanding of each other then ever before. Alex Michael Mrs.Beaven Ap English 12 17 October 2015 Ordinary People Opinion I felt like Ordinary People was an oddly relatable, detailed read. I felt for Conrad’s character as he tried to cope with his troubles. There were many similarities with the book that I could relate to with my life. Jordan and Conrad were 14 months apart, much like my brother Sam and I are. Their mother was named Beth, and my mother’s name is Beth as well. Conrad was also on the swim team, like myself. Only, he had the courage to quite. But I related to him earlier in the book when he was constantly swimming and didn't find time to do anything else. I also found it funny that Jeanine had ties to Akron, Ohio. Which made the book even more relatable I found the book to be an easy read. It was under 300 pages and I managed to read it within four days, which is the fastest I’ve ever read a book. I found Conrad’s character to be very interesting. It was interesting getting inside of his head to understand his stressful situation. At times it seemed like Conrad was completely healed, then he would get into a fight with his firneds and he would get off track again. Personally, I felt like Calvin was a very caring father. At times it seemed like he was too caring and invested in Conrad. But, I can understand why he would act that way. Since Jordan was in the boating accident, and Conrad attempted suicide. I would be extremely protective of my son as well. Whenever Calvin double checked his questions to Conrad, or triple checked to make sure he was feeling well, I took it has a gesture of love. On the other hand, I felt like Beth did the opposite. She tended to bury Conrad, and acted like he was old enough to deal with the situation. I understand giving Conrad some responsibilities and independence, but obviously he needed some more help along the way. It seemed like she only cared about herself, she appeared very egocentric. She was only concerned about her tennis matches and trip to London. She seemed to be a very materialistic person. Conrad acknowledged that too. When he was discussing his suicide, he knew his mother was mad at him because he stained her rugs with his blood. She also kept telling Calvin to stop babying Conrad. Which sometimes he did care a bit too much, but atleast he was trying to help him out. For instance, when they were on their golfing trip, she was making fun of him for checking up on Conrad. She acted like she didn’t want Conrad around her because he was damaging her reputation. She didn’t even want to include him in the London trip, she only wanted to relax by herself. In the end, she ended up leaving, which I predicted from the middle of the book. I feel like it was good for the family. Conrad and Calvin built this bond and understanding with each other. It seemed like Beth intentionally isolated herself and didn’t want to show her pain. She just wanted to bury her problems within her busy schedule. Whereas Calvin and Conrad couldn’t just move on from their problems, they needed to talk and deal with them together. In conclusion, ‘Ordinary People’ is an excellent book to read. I really enjoyed the character development and the relatable plot it had to offer. I would recommend this to anybody struggling with everyday tasks, this book makes you look at the bigger picture in life.
A character that was admirable in the novel “we all fall down” is John. John is the father of Will who is the main character, they spend nearly the entire story together looking for a way out of the world trade center during the 9/11 attacks. During the story you learn that John is very smart, brave, and respected. These are all characteristics which play a crucial role in saving lives such as his co-workers and a random lady they find on the way named ting, but mainly in the ending John and Will successfully escape.
In the novel Ordinary People, by Judith Guest, many people affect Conrad. Three people that have an affect on him are his father, mother and therapist. Conrad goes through significant changes by the way he has been affected.
People are like pieces of various, mind-blowing art projects; they come in all shapes and sizes, and some are more detailed than others. Shirley Jackson’s short story, “The Possibility of Evil”, provides a specific example in one character. Miss Strangeworth is introduced, and she can be described as arrogant, outgoing, and meddlesome. Miss Strangeworth’s character can be analyzed by considering what she does, what the narrator says about her, and how other characters interact with her.
Conrad's psychological problems generated from the facts that he repressed his feelings and that he looked to others for approval. He hid all his feeling and emotions and judged himself based on what others saw and thought. When Miss Melon, Conrad's English teacher, asked him, "Do you want an extension?" Conrad's immediate response was "NO"(18). He rejected her offer of assistance because he felt that help took away from his dignity and self pride. Conrad internalized what everyone else said and did and judged himself based on this. Conrad thought about himself: "All his fault. All connections with him result in failure. Loss. Evil… Everywhere he looks, there is competence and good health… He does not want to contaminate, does not wish to find further evidence of his lack of worth"(116). Conrad looked at everyone else and concluded that everyone else was "ordinary" and that he was a problem. He was afraid that since he was not "normal," ...
In Ordinary People, Conrad Jarret's alienation is exacerbated by the loss of his brother, which is evident in his failed suicide attempt. This profound sentiment relevant to Conrad's alienation is continually seen as a reoccurring theme throughout the novel, and provides structure to fully understanding the extent of Conrad's isolation. The book begins one month past Conrad's release from the hospital, which introduces the reader to his already damaged and fragile state. In essence, the failed suicide attempt can be directly translated as the feeling of not belonging. In initiating his road to recovery, he meets with Dr. Berger, a psychiatrist. Conrad is reluctant to begin these appointments, and tells Berger directly that he does not think highly of psychiatry. However, he eventually submits to examining himself and tells Berger that he needs to gain more control. Continuing in this segment of initiation, Conrad reveal...
Conrad asked his therapist “So what should I do now?” The therapists responded with information and advice “Recognize her limitations” etc. These were educational comments about the mother’s probable narcissistic character disorder which were intended so Conrad might begin to understand his own conflicts about her love Conrad’s focus was initially external when he then questioned ” you mean why she can’t love me”. The therapist responded to an internal psychological explanation aided by educational comments about the mother’s personality limitations.
A common aspect of Flannery O’Connor’s literary works is her use of heavily flawed characters. O’Connor’s characters often exhibit gothic and incongruous characteristics. O’Connor’s short story, “Good Country People,” is no exception to her traditional writing style with characters such as Hulga Hopewell, Mrs. Hopewell, Mrs. Freeman, and Manley Pointer. O’Connor uses gothic characterization and symbolism to produce a great short story about a few ruthless country people.
Ethan Frome published by Eddie Wharton was set in Starkfield, Massachusetts in 1904. The story happenss against cold hard weather at the New England state. The main character was established as outreach farmer who tends to his very cold, aggressive and disturbed wife named Zeena. He had little hope with his wife until Zeena's cousin, Matte arrives to help him. During the period, he slowly fall in love with Matte causing his marriage to collapsing the relationship between him and Zeena. Ethan From was one all-time classic American books showing characters development through hard facts or conditions that reflects and teaches us the relation in today's social standards.
Throughout life individuals face many challenges testing their values and personality one situation at a time. In the evocative novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton themes of growing up and innocence are shown. Ponyboy is not your average 14 year old he is part of a gang known to many as the Greasers. He encounters many situations testing his values and beliefs. Having lost both his parents recently he and his brothers stick together like a true family but this relationship is tested when Darry hits Ponyboy. He also experiences the loss several close friends in a very short period of time. Throughout this novel, Ponyboy encounters many life changing experiences that prove he is a dynamic character.
The Good Life by Father Richard M. Gula emphasizes the importance of the moral vision of the “good life” with our Lord and Savior by our side. Throughout the book, Gula raises important themes that are crucial in understanding how to well a life well spent with God in it. He begins by introducing the Lord by giving examples of his image or imago dei and love. Next, Gula introduces the idea of the covenant. The covenant is a set of rules and agreements between our savior and us. He uses the covenant as one of the key elements by living a fulfilled life. We must understand boundaries and listen and obey the rules and practices that God placed on front of us. Then he introduces the Son of God, Jesus, and how he is portrayed. Jesus is just like
Human reason has not always been a presence in our daily lives. Doing the right thing, being ethical, and making educated decisions, one would think, are the ideal principles behind human nature. Sadly, only in more recent times has human reason shed its good grace on more modern societies. For many centuries, constant war and the reconstruction to nations, countries, and empires led to the rise and fall of many different leaders and in tow their governments. Within such societies, political spokesmen like Machiavelli, Locke, and Marx, interpret their ideas to the people, which still remain significant to this day. One of their main focuses was to raise awareness, on their ideas on trust and human reason. While Locke and Marx urge us to have faith in human reason, as a positive means to society, Machiavelli would claim the contrary. The concept of human nature and reason to both John Locke and Karl Marx juxtaposes that of Machiavelli’s, and their notions derive from their different eras, economies, environments, and strict governments, which ultimately shaped their ideologies on human nature.
Character Analysis of Mrs. Mallard in Kate Chopin’s The Story of an Hour Mrs. Mallard Chopn’s main character in “The Story of an Hour”, has under gone the loss of her husband Mr. Mallard. The story depicts that she has been contemplating through different feeling about the situation. Mrs. Mallard may start off as a timed wife, however through the death of her husband sorrow and sadness turns to freedom and respite.
The main protagonist of the story, Elizabeth Bennet (nicknamed both Lizzy and Eliza), is the second daughter in the Bennet family. Second only to her elder sister in beauty, Elizabeth’s figure is said to be “light and pleasing,” with “dark eyes,” and “intelligent…expression” (24). At 20 years old, she is still creating her place in society. Known for her wit and playful nature, “Elizabeth is the soul of Pride and Prejudice, [she] reveals in her own person the very title qualities that she spots so easily” (“Pride and Prejudice”) in others. Her insightfulness often leads her to jump to conclusions and think herself above social demand. These tendencies lead her to be prejudice towards others; this is an essential characteristic of her role
In this essay I will describe the four major theories of personality and identify the advantages and disadvantages of each. The first major theory of personality is psychodynamic which was created by Sigmund Freud. The second major theory of personality is trait or five-factor model which is the most scientifically supported model. The third major theory of personality is humanistic, and Carl Rogers was the best known humanistic theorist. Finally, the fourth major theory of personality is social cognitive which was developed by social learning theorists.
Introduction to Personality Lillian Tracey Hayes PSY/405 April 26, 2014 Les Binnix. Introduction to Personality The concept of personality is not easy to define. Researchers give examples or perceptions to define the personality; however, there are different theories that explain personality. Personality is what makes each person unique and individual and each person has different patterns of behavior, attitudes, and traits that combine to create personality. There are biological and environmental aspects of life that shape the development of personality and differing perceptions of experiences that contribute to differences between people.