A presumably healthy family begins to implode on itself as tragedy strikes not once but twice. The Jarret family finds their lives turned upside down in the movie “Ordinary People”. A film that depicts an upper middle class family’s inability to cope with the loss of a loved one. A boating accident, near their home in Lake Forrest, Illinois, takes the life of the oldest son Buck, and unveils the vulnerabilities of the family. Instead of pulling together in a time of grief, Calvin, Beth, and their remaining son Conrad fail to effectively communicate with each other the effects of Buck’s death. It’s the elephant in the room that adds mounting stress to everyone in the family. Conrad, who is overwhelmed with guilt, attempts suicide a few months following the accident of his brother which only compounds the family’s situation. Beth never forgives Conrad for his suicide attempt and he cannot forgive her for her limited love towards him. Calvin is stuck in between the two trying to bridge the gap of their relationship. He is alienated by both Beth and Conrad who keep their grief for Buck to themselves. Buck’s untimely death also forces the family members to reevaluate their identity. Conrad who has been living in Buck’s shadow must now create his own identity. Calvin losing the connection to Beth and Conrad is forced to discover why he feels cut off from the family. Beth who held Buck on a high pedestal as a representation of her self-worth now has that ripped away and her very soul is put into conflict with itself. Conrad, Calvin, and Beth must find a way to deal with Buck’s death and Conrad’s suicide in order to move forward as a family. Buck, although not an actual character in the film, influences the remaining family members. He was an above average athlete with trophies, awards, and plaques fill his shelves and walls for hockey, equestrian, baseball, and swimming. He was viewed as the popular kid who was like by everyone. A son that could do no wrong and possessed a no fear, sail into the storm mentality. His death initiates the Jarrett’s tail spin into disaster. Conrad still not able to face his feelings about the accident shall the telltale signs of PTSD. He has nightmares, problems sleeping, anxiety, as well as a loss of motivation throughout the beginning of the film. He must put a great deal of effort to begin each day. All of this is because by the guilt he feels, which can be describes as Survivor’s guilt. Conrad feels guilty for surviving the accident while Buck who was stronger, more popular, and more favored by his mother did not. This guilt is the reason for his pain, suffering, and self-punishment. He is punishing himself for still being alive, and he becomes emotionally withdrawn with no one to reach out to especially at home. Conrad does get flustered from time to time but is still able to display his wit and sense of humor. Beth does not play the traditional female gender role of the compassionate caring mother but the role of decision maker who uses control and power to maintain the family structure in a way she sees fit. Beth did not land here by chance. Instead it was by careful design from someone who shares an identical family role- Beth’s mother. Her personality is built on the foundation of order, structure, control, and power. She sees herself as a strong, independent, and self-assuring person. These characteristics give her what she desires most, the approval of her peers. She would do anything to keep up status in her social circle. She has a sense of self-importance and the family would fall apart without her in charge. Beth’s identity has been shaped and molded in her mother’s image. She instills these characteristic early in Beth’s childhood. Perhaps with the best intentions of a being a parent or merely the greed to her self-image, Beth’s mother passes down her dominate sense of control and power so one day Beth’s can fulfil this role in her own family. A good legacy to reflect back on her mother one day. This method of child rearing does come with an unforeseen price. As Beth is raised to act, think, and even feel the way her mother does, she is essentially stripped Beth of her childhood identity and replaces it with that of her own. Never allowed to stray outside the boundaries of her mother’s ideals, Beth has an underdeveloped sense of self. She know owns her mother’s behavior, but Buck’s death challenges her very identity. Beth’s control and order quickly turns into chaos. Calvin takes on the complimentary role as the caregiver who proves support to the family. He carries a sense of responsibility for the well-being of his family. This is the reason why he becomes a lawyer, to provide for his family. Calvin is similar to Beth’s father. They are not one to inject conflict or create waves with the family or anyone for that matter. They take a more passive approach less they be berated by the lady of the house. Buck