Ordinary People: Chapter 1 Summary & Analysis

It's been exactly one month since Conrad Jarrett has returned home from the psychiatric hospital in which he's spent the past eight months. On the morning of September 30th, he lays awake in bed burdened with fear and anxiety. He tries to motivate himself to get out of bed and start his day, but is thwarted when he remembers the load of assignments he has to complete in the coming week. Even the thought of deciding what to wear and how to prepare for the day prove too much for him to tackle.

Soon his thoughts are crowded out by memories of the hospital—the advice of his doctor, Crawford, to lighten up and nurture his sense of humor; the recreational activities he and other patients would do as part of their morning routine; the look of failure that marked many of his fellow residents.

Conrad hears the voice of his father, Calvin, calling to him from the other end of the hall. Conrad is jolted out of his funk and begins following his routine to prepare for the day. In the bathroom, he notices that a recurrent rash has begun breaking out on his face again. (Strangely, his doctors are unable to determine what triggers it.)

Conrad tries to make himself relax, remembering that he is supposed to be on the road to regaining a healthy, "normal" life. But the mysterious rash, as well as a brief moment in which he forgets the name of his next door neighbors, stirs up his fear and anxiety all over again. As he dresses, Conrad realizes that his worry stems from the unease caused by asking questions that aren't easily answered.

Conrad begins to shut down again. His throat begins to itch. For a moment he is tempted to abandon his routine, but he soon reminds himself that keeping busy will help him avoid dread. For now, he clings to "routine" and "guiding principles" in order to make it through his day.