The Impeccable Character In Judith Guest's Ordinary People

Judith Guest has done an impeccable job of making, Conrad Jarrett, jump off the page in her novel, Ordinary People. This character really hits close to home. The characters seem as if they are real people in real situations. Con (Conrad) is a relatable character on many accords; being a 17 year old that has to go through many traumas, Conrad puts himself below everyone. He is still trying to figure out who he is as a person, and the journey he takes to figure that out is quite relatable. A majority of teens could easily relate to Conrad and the situations he endures throughout the novel. Conrad lives a very standard life, although he suffers severe ups and downs. Con’s incident with his brother, Jordan (or Buck), is still very painful, and the affect it had on the family still troubles him. Conrad’s main issue, along with many other teenagers in the real world, is not being able to forgive himself for things that have occurred. Con blames the death of Buck on himself because he truly believes that he could have saved him-when there was no possibility of Con saving him, “He begins to cry again. ‘For killing him, don’t you know that? For letting him drown!’” (pg. 223). Con feels as if life is out to get him, just as he is trying to figure himself out and become his own person. Conrad’s relationship with
In chapter 14, Conrad starts off the chapter with feeling severely depressed, “Only he, Conrad Jarrett, outcast, quitter, fuck-up, stands outside the circle of safety, separated from everyone by this aching void of loneliness; but no matter, he deserves it,” (pg. 116). Conrad finds solace in music, as many teens do. Conrad also finds help in his friend, and psychiatrist, Dr. Berger, after Con learned how to cope with depression better. Teenagers could relate to Conrad and learn from him; note who cares about you, and you can find solace in