Tuesday's with Morrie

A detailed Summary of Tuesday's with Morrie

Thesis: In the novel Tuesdays with Morrie, Mitch Aldom gains a new understanding on life's lessons taught by his old professor Morrie. I. The lesson on the second Tuesday in the novel is feeling sorry for oneself. II. The lesson on the fourth Tuesday is death. III. The lesson on the fifth Tuesday is family. IV. The lesson on the eighth Tuesday is money. V. The lesson on the tenth Tuesday is marriage. Old Professor-New Lessons Mitch Albom attended many classes taught by Morrie Schwartz during his years at Brandeis University, but he does not attempt to learn the meaning of life until he is in his forties. The knowledge of his favorite professors illness forces Mitch to rekindle an old friendship. In the process of finding an old friend, Mitch acquires many life lessons that give him a new meaning to his existence. Mitch and Morrie meet on Tuesdays. On the second Tuesday, the topic of discussion is feeling sorry for oneself. On this day Mitch asks Morrie, "Do you feel sorry for yourself." (Albom 56) Morrie responds: Sometimes in the mornings, that's when I mourn. I mourn what I have lost. I mourn the slow, insidious way in which I'm dying. But then I stop mourning. I give myself a good cry if I need it. But then I concentrate on all

the good things in life. I don't allow myself any more self-pity than that. (Albom 57) Mitch is amazed how well Morrie takes his illness. People in Morrie's situation sit around and feel sorry for themselves. The idea of putting a daily limit on self-pity is a revolutionary idea for Mitch. This lesson shows Mitch that time on earth is precious and to find a ray of light in life's darkest days. On the forth Tuesday the lesson deals with death and the appreciation of life. Morrie explains to Mitch that people run from death by filling time with insignificant activities. Morrie asks: Mitch can I tell you something? The truth is if you accept that you can die at any time then you might not be so ambitious. The things you spend so much time on-all this work you do-might not seem as important. (Alden 85) Morrie tries to instill in Mitch that the little things in life are important. Conversations, nature, laughing, and friends are what make life worth living. One can see as the novel progresses that Mitch gains value in this lesson. Mitch does not burry himself in work for his company, but he finds true meaning through the project he develops with Morrie. The visits with Morrie, gaining information, and writing Morrie's lessons become important. The fifth Tuesday deals with the issue of family. Mitch has a younger brother that is stricken with pancreatic cancer. Mitch's brother flees from his family in desperation to find a cure for his disease. This h

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Approximate Word count = 980
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels