Internal Conflicts:
* Conrad's Trauma and Guilt: Conrad wrestles with the guilt and trauma of his brother's death. He struggles to cope with the survivor's guilt and the feeling that he was responsible for the accident. This leads to self-destructive behaviors and emotional detachment.
* Beth's Grief and Denial: Beth, Conrad's mother, is deeply affected by the loss of her other son. Her grief manifests in a controlled, almost robotic behavior, and she struggles to connect with Conrad, pushing him away in her denial.
* Calvin's Frustration and Powerlessness: Calvin, Conrad's father, grapples with his inability to reach his son and help him heal. He feels frustrated by Beth's cold demeanor and struggles to balance his desire to support both his wife and his son.
External Conflicts:
* Family Communication Breakdown: The family's communication is broken down, with each member struggling to express their feelings and understand each other's pain. This leads to tension, misunderstandings, and a growing distance between them.
* Conrad's Struggle for Identity: Conrad's internal struggles manifest externally in his schoolwork, social interactions, and relationships. He feels like an outsider and struggles to find his place in the world, which is exacerbated by his family's dysfunction.
* Beth's Social Pressure: Beth faces pressure from society to be a strong, stoic widow, which conflicts with her genuine grief and inability to cope. This creates a conflict between her public persona and her inner emotions.
Other Conflicts:
* Conrad's Relationship with His Therapist: Conrad's therapy sessions become a battleground for his internal struggles, with him constantly testing the therapist's boundaries and resisting the therapeutic process.
* Calvin's Conflict with Beth's Mother: Calvin struggles to understand Beth's upbringing and the influence of her domineering mother, creating conflict between them as they try to help Conrad.
Overall, "Ordinary People" presents a complex tapestry of internal and external conflicts that force the Jarrett family to confront their own demons and ultimately confront the reality of their loss and the healing process.