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Ordinary People Character Analysis

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Words 1030
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Tristen Kremer
Hour 6
Ordinary people term paper
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In the book Ordinary people by Judith Guest there are quite a few characters in the story all diverse and different. While I am not similar enough to some of them I may however explain traits in the story that are associated with characters. There are many factors that contribute to strong relationships. Some of the key elements are trust, forgiveness, and most important communication. In Judith Guests book, Ordinary People, there are several relationships where these elements are portrayed. They are illustrated either in a good or bad way, usually between several of the family members.
One element that helps relationships become strong, and keeps people together is communication. …show more content…
One example of good communication in a relationship is demonstrated between Dr. Berger and Conrad. One of the only people that Conrad feels comfortable talking to revealing every one of his emotions to, is Dr. Berger. The doctor wants Conrad to communicate with him and gives him good reasons for doing so, for example he says, "That's what happens when you bury this junk, kiddo. It keeps resurfacing. Won't leave you alone." (Page 109) Dr. Berger says that because he is trying to get Conrad to open all of his communication with everyone, so that everything does not become a skeleton in the closet. Communication is an important component of all relationships and when it is missing it can make people very miserable. In Conrad's relationship with his mother, Beth, they do not go out of their way to talk to each other or talk to one another casually, and their conversations are conflicted and sometimes trivial. Some reasons that they do not talk to each to one another probably has to do with the simple fact that they are very much like one, stubborn, and will not admit to their inner feelings. One example of botched communication occurred when Beth learned during a meeting that her son had quit his …show more content…
Some people can come to terms with the past and move on, but others do not help keeping the memory of terrible things, and not forgive someone. Beth was one of those people, or so her son had thought. "Lately! Listen, if you-listen! I am never going to be forgiven for that, never! You can't get it out, you know! All of the blood on her rug and her goddamn towels-everything had to be pitched! Even the goddamn tile in the bathroom had to be re-grouted. Christ, she fired a goddamn maid because she couldn't dust the living room right, and if you think that she is ever going to forgive me-" (Page 110) This meaningful statement made by Conrad shows that he could not even forgive himself for it , and since he was not able to do this for himself, how could he expect his mother to forgive him. For most families, parents are forced to forgive their children for the things they do no matter how severe or insignificant. This is all part of life and how we live it, because everyone makes mistakes as they are expected to, yet Calvin had said that Beth was not able to forgive Conrad. There is one particular situation where Beth even said that she could basically never forgive Conrad and she stated and I quote, "That whole vicious thing! He made it vicious, as sickening as he could! The blood-all the blood! Oh I will never forgive him for it! He

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