Chapter 1 Summary
This Chapter is all about Conrad. It takes us inside his mind and gives us a little bit of information and history about him. We are introduced to another important character in this chapter, Crawford. Crawford was a psychiatrist at the hospital that Conrad had spent the last few months in. Conrad shows us how insecure and unsure he is when he second guesses himself. Conrad continuously reminds himself that he is normal and that the little things like forgetting a person’s name are signs that he is going crazy. In this chapter we get a bit of insight as to where he was for the last few months and that it wasn’t a good place.
Chapter 1 analysis
This Chapter plays an important role in the book, as it introduces us to who Conrad is. The chapter leaves us thinking but it also tells us about the hospital Conrad was in and where he was. Chapter one doesn't tell us why he was in the hospital, but it does tell us that he was mentally unstable. The Chapter tells us who Crawford is and lets us know he is an important character. We learn about Conrad's issues, about his problems and insecurities and him hitting rock bottom; this gives the story a base platform. Things can only get better.
Chapter 2
This chapter is through the eyes of Conrad's father, Calvin Jarrett. We learn about Calvin's history and what his childhood was like. We learn how he was placed in an orphanage at the age of four and orphaned at the age of eleven. Calvin tells us that he's worried about Conrad and that he's worried about signs that he should be watching for. We also learn in this chapter that Conrad's mom's name is Beth. Beth's way to Conrad is through Calvin. We learn that Conrad's whole family is used to the way Conrad was before the accident and they want his 'old-self' back. "This gaunt, thin figure that sits across from him, hair chopped bluntly at the neck, still grins; still kids, but the eyes are different. He cannot get used to it." (page 12, Ordinary People, Judith Guest.)
Chapter 2 Analysis
This chapter is significant because it tells us who Calvin is. It also tells us about Beth. We learn that Beth doesn't talk to Conrad often, as she repeatedly asks Calvin too. We learn that everyone is attached to the 'old-Conrad' and no one is used to the new one. It's also obvious that no one wants to become used to the new Conrad either. Everyone brings up mentions of last year, before the accident. We are also let in on a not so obvious aspect. Beth had two sons, and she only has one now. Why? We don't know yet. We are told this when Guest says, "Her stomach is flat, almost as if she'd never had the babies." Babies, being plural means at least two! Then further on in the chapter Guest says, " Both of his boys had inherited from him, that long slightly hooked nose from their mother..." (Page 10, Ordinary People, Judith Guest)
Chapter 3 Summary
In this Chapter we're introduced to several new characters. We're introduced to Lazenby, Stillman, Van Buren, Jeannine Pratt, Gail Noonan and Salan. Lazenby, Stillman, and Van Buren are all friends of Conrad. They pick him up each morning for school. The boys give Conrad a hard time about a girl he's never seen before named Jeannine. In the chapter we also get introduced to some of his teachers. We learn he's behind in English and his teacher feels bad for him, and Conrad does not like it at all. We learn that Conrad's involved with choir, and the swim team. We learn the swim team and choir are very important to him, and that both hobbies have lots of work behind them. Out side of Choir Conrad runs into Jeannine and is introduced by Gail Noonan. On the way home from school Lazenby talks about the day's events and about Salan, their swim coach. When Lazenby dropped off Conrad, Conrad let himself into the house with a key, when he seen his mom their conversation was very little and it seemed to stress Conrad out.
Chapter 3 Analysis
Conrad is very unsure of himself. He worries that he is not normal throughout this chapter and when his dad worries about him he believes it proves him right that he is not normal. "Worrying. There is something to worry about, as he has suspected. He did not want his suspicions confirmed." (p.15, Ordinary People, Judith Guest)Conrad does not have a good relationship with his mother, as he is always trying to avoid her. " Lazenby has forgotten. He hopes for a moment that he has; then, prays he hasn't. She would have to drive him." ( P.14, Ordinary People, Judith Guest) One of the themes in this book is grieving with family. Another one is grieving by yourself. Conrad's father grieves with others, Conrad's mother grieves all alone. The first time that grieving is obvious is when Conrad's mom (Beth), won't talk to Conrad, she talks to him through Calvin. A few times in this chapter, a boy named Buck is mentioned, but Guest does not explain who Buck is.
Chapter 4 Summary
This chapter starts out with Calvin and Beth out for lunch at a Mediterranean style restaraunt. Beth had called Cal this morning and had asked him to meet her for lunch as she had exciting news to tell him. We learn that Beth likes to travel and wants to go to London. However, Cal doesn't think it is a good idea and wants to stay after the incident last Christmas. Beth becomes very upset and tells Cal that she needs to go and if they don't go now, they won't go ever. Cal's coworker Ray goes to Cal's office later that day to help him with their next case. Ray then upsets Cal by asking about Conrad. Ray tries to give advice to Cal about Conrad. This upsets Cal because he feels Ray is in no position to give advice as he has not been through what his family has.
Chapter 4 Analysis
This Chapter has a few key factors. We learn that Beth still grieves silently, without others. She wants to go away, live her life, travel and forget about what happend last year. Cal on the other hand is worried about what happened last year and doesn't want to risk having that happen again. He wants to stay with Conrad and be there for him. We also learn a little bit about how Cal feels about Ray. Ray is Cal's best friend however Cal feels that Ray does not know what he's talking about and needs to mind his own business.
Chapter 5 Summary
In this Chapter we are introduced to Conrad's new psychiatrist, Berger. Berger's character is a bit confusing,disoriented, and humorous. When Conrad gets to Berger's office, Berger's office is a mess and is all turned up. Berger gives Conrad an impression that Berger himself is, nuts! Berger claims his office has been broken into, and says; " What's missing? Maybe nothin. Maybe they even left something, who knows?" (p.40, Ordinary People, Judith Guest) Berger is okay with being robbed, which drives Conrad nuts. The Chapter just goes on to tell about the first interview with Berger and what Conrad will have to forfeit to meet with Berger twice a week. Conrad will skip swim practice twice a week to meet with Berger.
This web page is a page meant to explain the novel Ordinary People by Judith Guest. On this web page you'll find various pages giving the summaries and a chapter analysis of each chapter.
