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Music is a comforting presence in the novel. In sharp contrast to swimming or schoolwork, choir practice offers Conrad a sense of calm and belonging; it is a rare opportunity for his body and mind to work in harmony with one another. He and Jeannine meet are in choir together; Conrad is as attracted to her talent as he is to her beauty and personality. The transformation of their relationship is conveyed through their conversations about music. Whether Conrad is playing some of his original songs for Jeannine, or Jeannine is teaching Conrad about classical composers, music is one medium through which the two learn to trust one another.
Music Quotes in Ordinary People
The Ordinary People quotes below all refer to the symbol of Music. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 3
Quotes
Choir is the one time of day when he lets down his guard; there is peace in the strict concentration that Faughnan demands of all of them, in the sweet dissonance of voices in chorus. He has sung in here since he was a freshman. …Every minute of every hour that is spent there, they work, and there is only one way to prove yourself. You sing, and sing, and sing. All else is unimportant.
Related Characters:
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Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire Ordinary People LitChart as a printable PDF.
Music Symbol Timeline in Ordinary People
The timeline below shows where the symbol Music appears in Ordinary People. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 14
...peers are silently judging his behavior as well. His only sense of refuge comes with choir practice ; singing in harmony with others soothes him.
(full context)
Chapter 16
...to find new friends and a job (but isn't sure how to do either). After "guitar" and "books," though, comes "girls"; Karen, Suzanne, and Jeannine all come to mind, but for...
(full context)
Chapter 18
Conrad and Jeannine listen to the radio in silence during the ride. They eventually reach her house, and with a twinge of...
(full context)
Chapter 20
...and Mike alone in the living room. Mike chimes in and declares that he'll start guitar lessons soon. More small talk follows, when Mike notes that Conrad looks just like a...
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Chapter 24
Mike shows off his fledgling guitar skills to Conrad. Conrad praises his performance enthusiastically, encouraging him to keep at his lessons....
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Chapter 30
...Jeannine laments having to part ways with Conrad, but she is soon distracted by his guitar playing. She enthusiastically encourages him to write words for his songs. Conrad wonders how she...
(full context)
