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The book is set up as a series of lessons, each one occurring on one of Mitch's visits to his newly reinstated mentor. Morrie Schwartz's "lectures," however, are not like traditional college lectures. Instead, they take the form of discussions between the two characters on the important lessons of life, with the two men learning from each other. Mostly, however, the book details how Albom reconnects both with his mentor and with his former idealism. The ways in which this occurs are varied; for the most part, Mitch and Morrie's discussions of various world events and philosophies regarding life and death lead to a deeper understanding of humanity in both men's minds, and especially in Albom's. One of the most profound yet simple points that occurs during the book is when Mitch asks Morrie how one can prepare to die. Morrie basically reverses the question with the Buddhist notion of an individual living each day with the awareness that...
In this way, it could be stated that no one can be prepared to truly live until they have discovered and perfected a way to be prepared to die.
These positive reflections on the connectivity of man and the world lead to the bulk of Mitch's change in attitude throughout the book. Yet there are also some negative reflections that occur in the book that make him realize the error and emptiness of the life he has lived as a successful and career-oriented journalist. One of the more poignant points in the novel is when Nightline tells Morrie it would like to do another interview, but they want to wait until he appears even more ill and decrepit. Through such instances as these, as well as wider philosophical reflections, Mitch Albom realizes that what is truly important in this world are other human beings, and his connection with his teacher as detailed in this book provides this lesson for many others.
Tuesdays with Morrie, Mitch Albom recounts the afternoons he spent with his old college professor, Morrie Schwartz, after discovering that Morrie was dying from ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease). For anyone interested in the study of death and dying, the book is a tremendous resource. When we speak about death speculatively or theoretically, many of us fantasize about living a long healthy life and then dying quite suddenly
For instance, Mitch graduates from collage, begins his career, and lets his work consume him. Morrie asks if he had found someone to share his heart with, if he was giving to his community, and if he was at peace with himself. Mitch wonders what happened to him and is embarrassed (34). In reality what happened to Mitch is what has happened too many before; he went to work
Mitch and Janine also talk to Morrie about marriage. Morrie calls it an important life experience all should have. In learning about another within marriage one continues to learn about oneself. By the 11th Tuesday Morrie has become extremely helpless. In this session, Mitch is able to shed his self-consciousness about Morrie's increasingly infantile needs, in order to help Morrie breathe, which is now very, very difficult. They also hold
Existentialists look at life differently, and so does Morrie. Where others would become depressed about their growing dependency on others, Morrie sees it as a chance to "experience" being a baby again, something that was important in his life but he no longer remembers. He has a different way of looking at things, and this seems like a better way to manage the stresses of life. Not eternal optimism,
.....deathbed, Morrie reflects on his life, and relays several messages about the meaning or purpose of life. Ironically, one of the main messages of the story is that life does not necessarily have a greater or cosmic meaning. Meaning is found in what is immediately before us, in the day-to-day existence and especially in relationships with others. Life's meaning is found in accepting life for what it is rather than
Tuesdays With Morrie Physically: How is Morrie eating? "He was eating mostly liquid supplements, with perhaps a bran muffin tossed in until it was mushy and easily digested." "He was taking food through a straw. I still shopped every week and walked in with bags to show him, but it was more for the look than anything else." "He had begun to cough while eating, and chewing was a chore." How is Morrie talking? "When you're in