Tuesdays With Morrie
Mitch Albom
Published by Doubleday
Year of Publishing: 1997
It seems to me that Mitch Albom wrote this book with the intent on changing the way people view death. He took the reader on a journey that started with his healthy college professor, and ended with his demise. Throughout this journey, Mitch illustrates how Morrie seemed to slide easily in to his new life as a dying man. The wisdom of Morrie, and the unique point of view that he has on dying gets passed on to Mitch. Throughout the book, every so often a flashback of one of Mitch's classes with Morrie would be displayed to an even deeper analytical perspective of both Morrie and Mitch as Morrie faces his condition head on. An overarching theme of "Tuesdays With Morrie" can be that, even with the withering of your body, can come the strength of your heart and mind. Morrie is the perfect advocate for this theme.
(Page 161) Morrie says: "Ted, this disease is knocking at my spirit. But it will not get my spirit. It'll get my body. It will not get my spirit."
This quote directly connects to my overarching theme, that even with the withering of your body, can come the strength of your heart and mind. Through the dozens of aphorisms that Morrie has shared with Mitch, he seems to always make sure that the message of mind over body is stated. This quote was said to Ted Koppel during Morrie's last interview with Nightline, and even during his worst times of his condition, he manages to still state that he will not let it get his spirit.
(Page 167) Morrie says: "Forgive yourself. Forgive others. Don't wait, Mitch. Not everyone gets the time I'm getting. Not everyone is as lucky."
This quote was the second time in which Morrie used the word "Lucky" to describe his situation, Mitch always questioned this, and in my opinion he is referring to the time he has. After his diagnosis, Morrie has had over 6 months to put his own ending on his life. He got the opportunity to spread wisdom and inspiration, and spend his last months with a person he cares greatly for, Mitch. A lot of people don't get a diagnosis that gives them time to choose there ending without being in a hospital, and Morrie was blessed with that chance. That can be described as lucky.
(Page 175-176) Morrie says: "Lets see . . . I'd get up in the morning........." - " And then I'd go home and have a deep, wonderful sleep."
This was the reply that Morrie gave to Mitch after he asked him what would a perfect day be for him if he was healthy. Stunned by the average response Morrie gave him, Mitch questioned it initially, and than realized that the sum of Mitch's aphorisms all lead to a greater message, that life shouldn't be occupied by material things such as exotic meals and trips around the world, but by relationships and the love that people should have for each other.
After finishing the book, and gathering in all of its messages, I believe that the books portrayal of illness and dying during the final - third of the book is, that dying does not mean the end of you entirely. The purpose of life is to build up things around you that do not "Die" with you. Inspire people, inform people, help people, and according to Morrie, love people. Illness and dying should not be viewed of as the end of everything, it should be viewed of as a test for what you have left behind. If you've lived your life to the fullest (according to the books portrayal) than your death should reveal the love you've left behind. As Morrie said himself "Death ends a life, not a relationship" (Page 174).
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