Ordinary People: Chapter 21 Summary & Analysis

Cal tells Beth about the golf tournament. Since they were unable to travel to Europe for Christmas, he feels that the trip to Dallas is the least he can do for her – especially since she would be able to see her brother Ward and his wife Audrey. Beth accepts Cal's offer. That done, Cal strolls into the family room and puts on a record of Ralph Vaughan Williams' A London Symphony. It reminds him of all of the places he and Beth have traveled, including the small monastery where they stayed while Conrad was still in the hospital. It gave him the feeling of comfort and safety. At last, Cal can complete the phrase for himself: "I'm the kind of man who believes in safety."

Thoughts of Arnold Bacon cut in. Unlike Cal, the feeling of safety didn't restrain Bacon from making painful choices, including "withdraw[ing] friendship" and cutting ties after Cal decided to marry. Bacon firmly believed that Beth was "not a sharer"; he claimed that she would demand too much of Cal's attention. But Beth felt the same way about Bacon, admonishing Cal that his mentor was too eager to burden Cal with his own wants and needs. Having to choose between Beth and Bacon was a difficult process for him, one which hurt him deeply.

The intense memories bring Cal to the verge of tears (a common occurrence since visiting Dr. Berger). He remembered Beth's assertion that Bacon was only interested in Cal as long as Call needed him around; when he didn't, Bacon cut him loose. He considers the idea that "[p]eople only use people according to their own needs." Remembering his personal need for safety, he then recalls an opportunity he had to cheat on Beth. He'd told Beth about the encounter afterward (what with Ray and Nancy's recent affair); she tells Cal that the embarrassment of an affair would have driven her away for good. For a moment he thinks he's discovered the key to Beth's mysterious personality – an inability to forgive – but the answer seems too simple and he dismisses it.