Significance Essay, Research Paper
Matt Santo
Period 3
March 14,1997
Significance
The significance of the title ?Ordinary People? is that it is ironic because there are not ordinary people in the book. It does not correspond with the novel itself. As defined in Webster?s Dictionary, ordinary means usual, common, or normal. To most people, this is what they think they are. However, in the book being unordinary is common for most of the characters. The author of this book, Judith Guest, probably titled this book ?Ordinary People? to make readers ask themselves, ?What is ordinary? Am I ordinary??
The title describes the book as being ordinary when the characters are really unusual. For example, most teenagers do not try to commit suicide. However, in this book, Conrad Jarett tries to kill himself. He attempts suicide because he is depressed about his older brother?s death. He lost his brother in a boating accident and he blames himself for his death. He believes that he could have prevented the accident by coming in from the sea when the waters began to get rough. However, there was nothing that Conrad could have done to prevent the boat from capsizing. His attempt to commit suicide is one of the things that makes him unordinary from normal teenagers.
In the real world, many teenagers attempt suicide. But, this is not ordinary. It is unusual for a teenager to attempt or commit suicide. Society does not look at this sort of behavior as ordinary. If a teenager does attempt suicide, they are usually seeking attention and looking for pity. As a result of these actions, they are seen as having some sort of mental incapacity and are treated for it. Therefore, this is not ordinary and Conrad was not either.
Another character in this book who is not ordinary is Beth Jarett, Conrad?s mother. Conrad feels as if she does not love him. She hardly talks to him. She also treats him as if he does not belong in the family, like a stranger. For example, in one part of the book, Conrad bends over to hug his mother and she just sits there and does not hug him back. In another part, his father wants to take a picture of Conrad and his mother together, but she suggests that she take a picture of all the men instead. This incident makes Conrad feel as if his mother does not like him. Beth Jarett does not act like an ?ordinary? mother.
An ordinary mother does not act like Beth. An ordinary mother would show affection for her son even if he tried to commit suicide. As a matter of fact, a mother would show even more affection and love if her son tried to kill himself. Beth does not show the type of affection that an ordinary mother would show towards her own children.
Not showing affection is not the only thing that makes Beth unordinary. At the end of the novel, Calvin, Conrad?s father, tells Beth that he is not sure if he loves her the way he used to anymore. Beth has no reaction. Instead of talking with him and trying to find out why he feels this way, she silently walks away. She goes up to her bedroom and packs her bags. In the morning she leaves for Houston, to her brother?s house while Conrad is still sleeping. She does not even say good-bye to him. An ordinary mother would not abandon her family like Beth does. Instead, an ordinary mother would try to fix the problems in her family.
In conclusion, the book ?Ordinary People? has nothing to do with ?ordinary people.? The title does not correspond to the description that the author has given it, which is ordinary. The examples given show how ironic the title of the book is in relation to the book itself.
Другие работы по теме:
Significance Of Art Essay Research Paper Art
Significance Of Art Essay, Research Paper Art should be an active and important part of one s life, not merely something that is to be displayed and observed at a distance from time to time. Alice Walker s short story Everyday Use depicts quilts as a form of artistic work to portray the importance of art being a living and breathing part of the culture from which it arose.
Abortion Is It Right Or Is It
Wrong Essay, Research Paper Abortion: Is It Right or Is It Wrong! In the L.A. Times, “Abortion Issue Taking On New Prominence” is an interesting news article that debates about abortion. Is an abortion without a parent’s consent moral or immoral? According to Matt Fong, he says it’s immoral because a minor should not have the right to an abortion, if her parents are not informed.
Native American Civ Essay Research Paper There
Native American Civ. Essay, Research Paper There is much significance in this statement, Glorying in their new strength, the Spaniards were eager to outstrip the Portuguese rivals in the race to tap the wealth in the Indies. First of all, at the time Portugal controlled much of the African coast and thus controlled the gateway to the round-Africa water route to India.
The Star Essay Research Paper In Great
The Star Essay, Research Paper In Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens, light is used symbolically through the example of Estella. Miss Havisham brings Estella up in the darkness, consequently sheltering her from the true
Black Bear Essay Research Paper Matt MeaneyPeriod
Black Bear Essay, Research Paper Matt Meaney Period 6 Extra Credit 4/2/00 The presentation given on the black bears on April Second was generally to me at least too appeared almost fake. I didn’t understand how he says they wouldn’t attack you, and it’s just a bluff charge, when just this year a woman in Boonton was attacked as well as her dog by a black bear.
Archaeologists Essay Research Paper Archaeologists must question
Archaeologists Essay, Research Paper Archaeologists must question their sources in order to gain appropriate knowledge from them. Some questions archaeologist may ask include; What is it? What is it made from? What size is it? Where did it come from? When was it made and by whom? What was its function? Does this source contain evidence about the topic? What is its significance? How has this source been interpreted by others? What else was found with it? What does this source tell us about its society? Once these questions have been answered, and all data collected an archaeologist can begin to formulate a conclusion about his or her find.
Ethics In America Essay Research Paper New
Ethics In America Essay, Research Paper New York ?Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least of my brothers, you did for me.? Matthew 25:40 The poor, the sick, and the children. These are the three most vulnerable groups in our society and in upper Manhattan?s Washington Heights neighborhood there are plenty of them.
Assisnation Of Jfk Essay Research Paper Matt
Assisnation Of Jfk Essay, Research Paper Matt Robinson The Assassination of John F. Kennedy The Assassination of JFK, which occurred in Dallas, Texas on a seemingly normal November day was one of the most shocking moments in recent history. He was riding in an open limousine when he was shot several times, once noticeably in the brain.
Young Goodman Brown Essay Research Paper Matt
Young Goodman Brown Essay, Research Paper Matt Hamacher YOUNG GOODMAN BROWN This story is one that is well-written while at the same time one that makes you think. We observe the main character, Goodman Brown, a somewhat common man, go from seeking goodness and perfection to the exact opposite: ending up in total failure and alienating himself from humanity.
Book Report At Large By David
H. Freeman And Charles C. Mann Essay, Research Paper At Large is a non-fiction novel. The true story of Matt Singer (obviously not his real name), who is mentally retarded in reality, but leads a second life as the hacker, Phantomd and Infomaster . The story takes place from March 1991 to January 1993, and traces the events surrounding Phantomd s escapades as he breaks into one computer system after another.
A Day In The Sun Essay Research
Paper Who would have ever fathomed dirt bikes would enter mainstream sports as a fierce competitor? This sport is for people who love pushing it to the edge, people who love fear. Motocross exemplifies speed, power, and agility. If you put all these factors into one and you don?t have the proper equipment to perform, tragedy can strike at any moment!
Matt Bagwell Essay Research Paper Have your
Matt Bagwell Essay, Research Paper Have your ever known someone who was obsessed with his car. So obsessed in fact that it becomes part of his identity and changes his personality. All the money this person makes goes into the car. There is one such person who is a model example. Matt Bagwell. He owns a 93 Ford Mustang GT.
Charlies Treatment Essay Research Paper Charlie the
Charlie?s Treatment Essay, Research Paper Charlie, the main character in Charlie, by Daniel Keyes is treated differently by everyone he knows. Imagine you had mental retardation. You only know the basics of anything. You can?t spell and
FRANKY Essay Research Paper Main Theme Mary
FRANKY Essay, Research Paper Main Theme Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, gains increasing significance in the modern world with its relevant theme of “man playing God.” Creation
Stone Angels Essay Research Paper In The
Stone Angels Essay, Research Paper In The Stone Angel, Margaret Lawrence portrays a woman attempting to understanding herself and her life. Hagar is the narrator of the book.
Literary Analysis Of Killings Essay Research Paper
Literary analysis of Killings by Andre Dubus Killings is an excerpt from a story called Finding a Girl in America. Killings is a story that involves elements such as sex, murder, and revenge. The title of the story, the way in which the characters are developed, and the order of events are unique to the story.
Matt Groening Essay Research Paper Matt GroeningMatt
Matt Groening Essay, Research Paper Matt GroeningMatt Groening is an Animator, Cartoonist, Producer, Screenwriter, and a Writer. But, he is most known as a cartoonist for his TV show ?The Simpsons. This means he that makes animated cartoons. ?His subversive comic sensibility have probably influenced as many kids as Joe Camel.?-James L.
Murder In A Rose For Emily Essay
, Research Paper Faruk Tarek Faruk Tarek-1 Love, Murder, and Revenge Murder in A Rose for Emily and Killings History says the first crime ever committed by one person against another is murder. There are so many things that can motivate a murder such as love, hate, jealousy, and, revenge. Both Faulkner s short story A Rose for Emily and Dubus s story Killings represent ideas of murder, love, jealousy, and revenge.
Significance Of Themes Essay Research Paper Significance
Significance Of Themes Essay, Research Paper Significance of Themes 1. God One of the main theme’s that is displayed throughout Waiting For Godot is the idea that life on earth is more or less a long and confusing wait for God. This theme magnifies the idea that the infamous Godot is actually God and that the play is built upon a structure of Christian morals.
Significance Of Communication In Joseph Conrad
’s T Essay, Research Paper The Significance of Communication in The Secret AgentCommunication is a crucial point when explaining the downfall of the characters in Joseph Conrad’s The Secret Agent. Between Winnie, Stevie, and Verloc there exists little direct communication, which is instrumental to the demise of each of them.
The Motive Of Two Murders Essay Research
Paper The Motive of Two Murders Victor Guadalupe Caban M,W,F 8:30 am 02/3/2000 In the play “Trifles” the main character Mrs. Wright was accused of killing her husband while he was sleeping. As the play goes along we learned that she was motivated by certain situations that happened when she lived with her husband.
Saving Private Ryan Essay Research Paper The
Saving Private Ryan Essay, Research Paper The movie I watched was Saving Private Ryan. The director was Steven Spielberg; some of the main characters are Tom Hanks (Captain John Miller), Tom Sizemore (Private Sarge), and Matt Damon (Private James Ryan).
Term Paper Ice Magic Essay Research Paper
Term paper for Ice Magic Ice Magic is a book by Matt Christopher. It is about a hockey season that a boy named Pie plays. One of the problems for Pie in the story is that Pie?s older brother?s skates are passed down to him and the skates are way too big. His parents said they don?t have enough money to pay for new skates.
Hope Essay Research Paper Hope What do
Hope Essay, Research Paper Hope: What do you guys hope for? I hope that the Dodgers win. I hope I do okay on the finals. I hope the teacher doesn^?t catch me. You
Escape Essay Research Paper SettingThe story Escape
Escape Essay, Research Paper SettingThe story Escape by R.A. Montgomery takes place in the year of AD 2035. The place is in the country of Dorado. It first starts off in a maximum-security prison. The rest of the story takes place in the terrain of Dorado. There are many other little settings that are not important.
Something About Mary Essay Research Paper Something
Something About Mary Essay, Research Paper Something about Mary Its a comedy film, that came to Spain in November of the 1998. It was directed by the Farinelli brothers. And his main stars are: Cameron Diaz (Mary), Matt Dylon (a strange detective) and Ben Stiller (Ted).
Teenage Wasteland Essay Research Paper The Teenage
Teenage Wasteland Essay, Research Paper The Teenage Wasteland, why was it so good? Growing up in the recent generations is very challenging. Children at such young ages, even younger than teens have been faced with such perilous decisions. It is especially hard for teenagers to find acceptance at this point in their lives.
Texas Independence Essay Research Paper What was
Texas Independence Essay, Research Paper What was the significance of Texas getting its Independence? After getting its independence Texas asked congress if it could join the union to become part of the U.S States. Congress accepted and so Texas became an official state. Mexico did not like the idea of Texas becoming independent and Texas wanted more land so they ended up having the war in Mexico.