Tuesdays with Morrie Essay
“It is through literature that we learn about life. Through literature we profit from the experiences of others, comparing them with our own.” - Bob Cameron
The essay question: Using reader-response theory and the quote by Bob Cameron, discuss how effectively Mitch Albom, author of Tuesdays with Morrie, uses plot and story, character development, point of view, theme, and symbols to convey his mesage. Include your personal thoughts and views, as well as textual references, to support your opinions.
In Mitch Albom’s Tuesday’s with Morrie, Albom detailed his personal experiences with his professor Morrie Schwartz. Mitch also expressed how influential Morrie was to his friends, relatives, patients, and coworkers. Within this essay, the plot and story, character development, point of view, theme, and symbols will be articulated upon. The reader response theory and the above quote from Bob Cameron will be used to discuss how effectively Albom was able to convey his message to the reader.
To begin the analysis, the plot and story will be discussed to understand how the non-linear chronological order left an emotional impact through the rising action, the falling action, and through Bob Cameron’s quote. As Morrie’s condition worsened, the rising action progressed since the characters became more emotional and more concerned about what Morrie thought and felt towards his death. The duration of Morrie’s funeral took place during the falling action. This was when Mitch had truly understood how much Morrie’s teachings had influenced him: “I look back sometimes at the person I was before I rediscovered my old professor. … I want to tell him what to look out for, what mistakes to [avoid,] ... to be more open, to ignore the lure of advertised values, to pay attention when your loved ones are speaking, as if it were the last time you might hear them.” (190) The non-chronological order helped increase the depth of the characters experience and this complemented
The essay question: Using reader-response theory and the quote by Bob Cameron, discuss how effectively Mitch Albom, author of Tuesdays with Morrie, uses plot and story, character development, point of view, theme, and symbols to convey his mesage. Include your personal thoughts and views, as well as textual references, to support your opinions.
In Mitch Albom’s Tuesday’s with Morrie, Albom detailed his personal experiences with his professor Morrie Schwartz. Mitch also expressed how influential Morrie was to his friends, relatives, patients, and coworkers. Within this essay, the plot and story, character development, point of view, theme, and symbols will be articulated upon. The reader response theory and the above quote from Bob Cameron will be used to discuss how effectively Albom was able to convey his message to the reader.
To begin the analysis, the plot and story will be discussed to understand how the non-linear chronological order left an emotional impact through the rising action, the falling action, and through Bob Cameron’s quote. As Morrie’s condition worsened, the rising action progressed since the characters became more emotional and more concerned about what Morrie thought and felt towards his death. The duration of Morrie’s funeral took place during the falling action. This was when Mitch had truly understood how much Morrie’s teachings had influenced him: “I look back sometimes at the person I was before I rediscovered my old professor. … I want to tell him what to look out for, what mistakes to [avoid,] ... to be more open, to ignore the lure of advertised values, to pay attention when your loved ones are speaking, as if it were the last time you might hear them.” (190) The non-chronological order helped increase the depth of the characters experience and this complemented