Grief in Ordinary People

Subject                      Message/Theme  

 Grief               “Grief is ugly.” (p. 127) (true)

                      “Grief is isolating.” (true)

   “Grief…is something to be afraid of, to get rid of, and fast.” (false)

You can’t put a band aid over it by buying Conrad a car, as Cal tries to do. (true)

You can’t sweep it under the carpet by refusing to talk about it, as Beth wishes to do.

(true)

You can’t run away from it, as Beth also tries to do by suggesting a trip to London. (true) This is different from needing time alone, during which time you will collect your thoughts and be productive. Running away implies that you avoid your thoughts; it is counter-productive.

Grief            Talking about grief is the          beginning of recovery.  

    Grief is a process: 

1.   Denial

2.   Bargaining

3.   Depression

4.   Anger

5.   Acceptance/Recovery

“A family pulls itself apart during grief.”

True or False? That depends on the family.

“A family turns inward towards itself (come closer together) in grief.”

True orFalse? That depends on the family.

Grief is an obstacle that all intelligent people can figure out all on their own, without help.

True or False?