Everyday, people change their lives. All of the time they change who they are. People redefine their self-images everyday. You can change who you are for many reasons, may just want to be a different or better person. However, I feel relationships are the key factors in the way you are and the way you change yourself. Many people define themselves by their friends, family, or loved ones. In the book, Ordinary People, so many people affect Conrad. He tries to be who he thinks everybody wants him to be. That, however, did not work out for him. After trying to be a "Buck 2" the real Conrad tries to escape from the shell of Buck 2 to show the world who he is. Conrad goes through a self-destructive period to try to free him, and has to be committed. From that point on in the book, Conrad searches for his reel self. So many people change the way he thinks of his self. For example, the Girl that Conrad likes and dates named Jeannine has a very positive effect on the way Con looks at himself, his mother Beth, in his mind, hates him, and his father Calvin, really doesn't know how to handle the situation, but he tries his utmost to understand it and support Conrad.
             Conrad first met Jeannine in September. Though their relationship didn't blossom until February, they got to know each other in choir. Even then, Con was still shy around her and he tried to make every thing right for her. In the car she warned Conrad that she was not a good bowler and he replied, "look we don't have to go bowling if you'd rather not." Pg. 168. Then later in that dialog he asks, "Do you want to go out at all?" To me this signifies that Conrad is ready to grow and come out.
             As the book continues, the relationship between con and Jen strengthens. In many relationships, people feel uncomfortable to talk about personal things, but in the kitchen the night that Con and Jen watch Mike, Jen opens u...