An Ordinary Person Character Analysis

Words: 709
Pages: 3

Throughout life, a person goes through many changes. The person becomes mature, physically and emotionally as time passes. Emotion is more difficult than physical. Beth is an ordinary person. She does all the right things, she cleans, and plays golf. Beth does not show her emotions, in her own words “is an emotional cripple.” She lacks emotional connection. Emotions help us keep on the right path by letting us know more than mentally. She is obsessed with the outer appearance of her family. Beth is like a Barbie doll. She’s perfect, her clothing makes her look pretty. Beth wears jewelry to show she has style, which makes her appear pretty on the outside. She takes very good care of her skin, making sure she doesn’t have wrinkles. I also try …show more content…
“When he was eleven, he learned the association of the word loss with death” (pg. 49). He was more understanding and cooperative with his family that mourned. He knew how to comfort them because he too had gone through the same thing and also needed comfort. Emotions control one’s behavior, action and thinking. She becomes hostile towards her son and husband. Conrad says, “I’m sure I would have told you, if I thought you gave a damn” (109). Her son thinks she is heartless, and that she doesn’t show affection towards him. He somehow feels that his brother’s death was his fault. He starts by no longer getting involved with his friends then he quits the swim team, all to avoid the pain involved with remembering his brother’s death. He later on goes to a physiologist, he asked what he said that he wants to get in control of his emotions again so that other people don’t worry. Berger says, "Like she can't love you enough. Like she loves you as much as she's able. Perspective, kiddo, remember? Maybe she's afraid, maybe it's hard for her to give love” (120). Instead of caring for Conrad, she disconnects herself from him because she thinks it creates a bad image for her among her friends. Conrad tried to kill himself. Beth doesn’t want to show affection towards him because she knows that if she does that he’ll die, and if he dies she’ll end up coping with the situation