Ordinary People
by Judith Guest
Table of Contents
Jordan (Buck) Jarrett
Buck is Conrad’s older brother and Calvin’s oldest son, and he died in a boating accident approximately a year and a half before the beginning of the novel. Buck is never a living character in the novel, but he is a looming presence in the book. He is characterized as one of those golden boys who could do no wrong. He was a strong swimmer, so that his death by drowning came as a surprise to everyone. Only a year apart in age, Buck and Conrad were extremely close, and his death is devastating for Conrad. Conrad feels as if he not only has to mourn his brother’s death, but also as that he is expected to fill Buck’s shoes, and he does not feel up to that task. With Buck gone, Conrad has to navigate his own way in the world and figure out who he is without his older brother.
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