Ordinary People Chapter Summary & Analysis - Chapters 5-6, Ordinary People Summary

Chapters 5-6, Ordinary People Summary

Chapter 5. Conrad meets with Dr. Berger, who uses humor to make Conrad comfortable. He asks Conrad why he was in the hospital and learns that he tried to commit suicide by slashing his wrists. In their initial conversation Conrad admits that his father worries about him. When asked if his mother worries, he says that isn't her style. The conversation about his mother seems to make Conrad uncomfortable. He also tells Dr. Berger about his brother and how he died.

Chapter 6.Calvin thinks about the argument he and Beth had over the trip. He asked her to talk to Conrad to see if he would mind if they left, but she won't. Calvin finds himself questioning what kind of man he is, and thinks about Arnold Bacon, his mentor through college and law school. He remembers how the friendship soured when Beth came into Cal's life because Arnold...
(read more)