An amateur reader may complete the novel Ordinary People, by Julie Guest and come away with only feelings about suicide. A careful reader on the other hand, would be able to analyze certain key events, quotes and people to better understand the deeper, underlying meaning that the author is trying to convey. Some people may write for only one reason, to tell a story, but great people write to create a thought and a theme, or in this case, multiple themes. An obvious theme is forgiveness, but an even stronger theme that seemed deeper and truer to me was faith. Faith in oneself that you can overcome intangible objects and become a more aware person in the process. Conrad Jarett, the main character in this story goes through a rather hard event, his brothers shocking death and even his own near death. As I said before, an amateur reader would only see this, but there is more. .
Forgiveness is a tricky little thing. It can be a sign of intelligence and a sign of weakness at the same time. Conrad's parents not only have to cope with their son's death, but also their other son's attempted suicide. This makes them feel like the worst parents in the world. Trying to forgive someone for such a selfish act takes true courage and love to do. Conrad must also forgive himself at the same time. Being able to realize that suicide is the easy way out for him, but the harder way out for the ones he leaves behind is a first sign of awareness, but it can also make forgiveness for one's self harder. This is one of the biggest obstacles that Con faces, other than trying to fit in again amongst his peers. He desperately wants to be left alone and treated the same old way, but the rest of the world is not ready just yet. He receives special treatment from his father, and is given "the look" in school from past schoolmates. These factors make forgiveness harder on Con, they don't let him cope with this matter alone, they instead make feelings go against him, rather than with him.
