Tuesdays with Morrie
Elements of a Story
Plot Diagram: Exposition
The exposition takes place through the
first four chapters. “The Curriculum”
tells us that there will be a class taught.
“The Syllabus,” “The Student,” and “The
Audiovisual” all explain the who, what,
and how that will occur in the story.
Plot Diagram: Conflict
Morrie grapples to accept his impending
death from ALS.
He is visited by his former star student,
Mitch, who has become disillusioned by
the popular culture.
Plot Diagram: Rising Action
Mitch grows increasingly unhappy with
his occupation as a journalist and sees
Morrie featured on “Nightline” one night
as he is watching television.
Morrie‟s struggle with ALS.
Plot Diagram: Climax
Morrie is visited by Mitch for what will be
the last time, and finally, after years of
trying, he gets Mitch to cry openly.
Plot Diagram: Falling Action
Mitch attends Morrie‟s funeral and
conducts a conversation with him in his
head as he had promised he would,
even after his death. “You talk, I‟ll
listen.”
Plot Diagram: Resolution
“The Conclusion”: “there is no such
thing as „too late‟ in life.”
“The teaching goes on” with
“experience.”
Themes:
The rejection of popular culture in favor
of self-created values
“Love each other or die”
Acceptance through detachment
“If you learn how to die, then you know
how to live.”
Motifs
A recurring subject, theme, idea, etc.,
especially in a literary, artistic, or
musical work.
Motifs
Food
Reincarnation and renewal
The media
Symbol
Is anything that stands for or represents
something else.
Symbols
Pink hibiscus plant
Morrie‟s bed
Waves on the ocean
Foreshadowing
The use of clues that suggest events
that have yet to occur.
Foreshadowing
“When you‟re in bed, you‟re dead.”
Point of View
First person
Tone
The writer‟s attitude toward his or her
audience and the subject.
Tone
Mitch‟s narration uses very basic
language, as most of the book is
composed of dialogue between him and
Morrie.
Word for word transcription
Mitch‟s attitude towards Morrie is
nothing less than sweet and adoring.
Tense
The time, as past, present, or future,
expressed by the author.
Tense
Frequently shifts from present to past
(flashbacks)
Setting
Time: Early - mid 1990s
Place: West Newton, MA
Protagonist
Is the main character in a literary work.
Protagonist
Mitch Albom
Morrie Shwartz?
Antagonist
Is the character or force in conflict with
a main character, or protagonist.
Antagonist
The societal pressures that plague
Mitch.
For Morrie, the disease, ALS.