Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Ordinary People, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Mental Disorder
Fate vs. Responsibility
"Family" and Love
Body/Mind Duality
Summary
Analysis
Conrad pays a visit to Berger at his house. He thanks him for his help, but of course their exchange is full of jokes and teasing. Conrad urges Berger to pay him a visit every once in a while (their new house will not be too far away from his), and the doctor does the same. Conrad hurries away before his emotions get the best of him.
Conrad can joke with Berger in a healthy way; the two of them have been open and honest with one another, and their humor isn't designed to conceal true feeling.
Themes
Next, Conrad visits Lazenby's house. Mrs. Lazenby directs Conrad to the backyard, where her son is practicing his golf swing. The two make awkward small talk: Conrad explains that he's moved, and that he's taking classes at a nearby college. He also suggests getting together for a round of golf. Lazenby explains that he's supposed to be busy for the day. Conrad takes that as a refusal, but Lazenby goes to ask his mom for permission to go with Conrad.
At last, Conrad is willing to take on the awkwardness of (re)building a relationship with Lazenby.
Themes
As Conrad stands alone in Lazenby's backyard, he remembers a letter Beth had written to Ellen, describing some drawings that he and Buck had made as kids. He realizes that she had saved many of the crafts that he made when young – a sign that Beth must have cared for him more deeply than he realized. He also recognizes the way he'd lied to Beth about how horrible the hospital was, "casual and deliberate lies, to ease his own hurt." He resolves to try and see her again, though he now knows that Beth's love for him isn't easily expressed. As Lazenby calls to him from the window, Conrad goes into the house.
