Ordinary People presents two intertwined narratives from the perspectives of Conrad "Con" Jarrett and his father, Calvin "Cal" Jarrett. Set in the Chicago suburbs during the 1970s, the novel opens with the aftermath of Jordan "Buck" Jarrett's accidental death and Conrad's subsequent suicide attempt. Throughout the story, Conrad, Calvin, and Beth Jarrett grapple with these devastating events.

The narrative starts with Con scheduling an appointment with his new outpatient psychiatrist, Dr. Berger, following his release from a mental hospital. In the first chapter, it's clear that Con continues to battle anxiety and depression. He feels disconnected from his family, friends, teachers, and even his past self. He resents his commitments to the swim team and past friendships, finding solace only in singing with the choir. Con's journey to recovery is a central theme in Ordinary People. Through his interactions with Dr. Berger and Jeannine Pratt, Con begins to express his buried emotions, seek reconciliation with his parents, and heal from the survivor's guilt over his brother's death. He learns to acknowledge his shortcomings, anxieties, and fears, and to take positive steps regardless of them. Additionally, he comes to terms with others' limitations. A pivotal moment occurs when his friend Karen takes her own life, triggering a wave of guilt in him. During a session with Dr. Berger, he realizes he is not to blame for Buck's or Karen's deaths and that it's acceptable to be himself. His relationship with his mother remains unresolved, and when his parents separate, she leaves without a farewell. Con experiences deep anger and disappointment over this, but with Berger's guidance, he tries to accept that she loves him as much as she can. The Epilogue reveals that Con's ultimate lesson is understanding that his mother does indeed love him, and he loves her in return. By the novel's conclusion, his sense of alienation diminishes, and his connections with family and friends are revitalized.

In Chapter Two, the narrative shifts to Cal's perspective. It becomes evident that Con and Beth's relationship is fraught with tension, leaving Cal caught in the middle. This situation is particularly challenging for Cal, who experienced isolation during his childhood, having grown up in an orphanage. He only achieved success as a tax attorney with the help of his mentor, Arnold Bacon. However, Cal's relationship with Bacon ended when he met his wife, Beth, as he struggled to balance his affections between the two important people in his life.

Cal faces a similar dilemma as he tries to mediate between Beth and their son, Con. He views himself as a "fence-sitter," hesitant to acknowledge that Beth and Con are on opposing sides. Cal's worry for Con increases after Con's suicide attempt, while Beth interprets the attempt as a personal affront. The contrasting ways they address Con's emotional issues eventually lead to Cal and Beth's separation. This separation is also driven by Cal's growing awareness of his unmet needs within the marriage.

Cal's longing for a family, after a childhood marked by isolation, led him to overlook his own needs to maintain family harmony. When Buck dies and Con is hospitalized, the family's underlying conflicts become unavoidable. Cal realizes he can't rely on Beth for solace, as each family member becomes isolated in their grief. Despite Cal's efforts to keep the family united, they prove fruitless. However, the novel concludes with a moment of reconciliation between Cal and Con. For the first time, Cal finds his own voice and expresses his true feelings, moving beyond his previous tendency to be overly accommodating towards Con.

In Ordinary People , Beth stands as the third...