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Ordinary People: Significance Of The Title - Online Term Papers

Ordinary People: Significance Of The Title

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 ...

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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 ...

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Ordinary People: Significance Of The Title. (2005, September 3). Retrieved January 22, 2025, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Ordinary-People-Significance-Of-The-Title/32688

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 9/3/2005 07:58:45 AM
Category: Book Reports
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 639
Pages: 3

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