The generally accepted definition of a family is a group of people who share common values, goals, and have long-term commitments to each other. One should be able to rely on their family whether in good times, bad times, or in times of need. Generally speaking, every member of the family should be able to convey their feelings, and should feel comfortable talking with the other members. The center of a true family lies in communication. In Judith Guest's novel Ordinary People, Guest shows through context that communication is vital in order to overcome specific conflicts such as a loss of a family member, marriage problems, or re-entering society.

From the very beginning of the novel, Guest implies that communication is significant at any level of society. The reader listens as the main character, Conrad Jarret, remembers what his room was like. He used to have a `collection...