Family Issues in Ordinary People

The film Ordinary People main focus is on Conrad’s family issues. Many conflicts in the novel slowly destroy Conrad’s family. This raises the issue of Conrad trying to commit suicide. The major theme that defines this novel is healing. Calvin and Beth Jarrett, are both high middle class white parents living in the suburbs. They go out and party a ton ever since the devastating lost of their oldest son Buck, in a boating accident. This brings a negative vibe to the family, which is why Conrad and Kelvin start to attend a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist Dr. Berger convinces Conrad and Calvin to make them express exactly how they feel. The issues that the Jarrett family faces, contradicts the film’s title of them being an ordinary family. Once Conrad was released from the hospital, he gave the audience the message that he was not ready for the world. He was not ready to become independent and it was very difficult for him to let go off his past. Now was his chance to catch up with friends, and a swimming team to participate in. Although life at home was slowly recuperating, Conrad’s parents would leave the house to help clear their minds from their son’s death. Calvin would leave parties slightly drunk and so would Beth. The purpose at the end of the day was to have a fantastic time and to develop happiness to themselves. In the film there were flashbacks that always lead to a symbolism in the film. Conrad had so many nightmares he had to attend the psychiatrist Dr. Berger. It got to the point that Calvin had to join him too. Dr. Berger is considered a symbolism in the film because he is the analyzer of the family. He put’s a lot of effort trying to solve the problems that were involved with the Jarrett’s. He created solutions for Conrad and Calvin to release their thoughts that were never spoken. Another symbolism is a text to world connection. At one point of the film The Jarrett’s go to visit Beth’s mother and father for thanksgiving. After a intense argument