Transcript Tuesdays with Morrie

Tuesdays with Morrie
Elements of a Story
Plot Diagram: Exposition
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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“The Conclusion”: “there is no such
thing as ‘too late’ in life.”
“The teaching goes on” with
“experience.”
Themes:
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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
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A recurring subject, theme, idea, etc.,
especially in a literary, artistic, or
musical work.
Motifs
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Food
Reincarnation and renewal
The media
Symbol
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Is anything that stands for or represents
something else.
Symbols
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Pink hibiscus plant
Morrie’s bed
Waves on the ocean
Foreshadowing
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The use of clues that suggest events
that have yet to occur.
Foreshadowing
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“When you’re in bed, you’re dead.”
Point of View
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First person
Tone
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The writer’s attitude toward his or her
audience and the subject.
Tone
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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
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The time, as past, present, or future,
expressed by the author.
Tense
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Frequently shifts from present to past
(flashbacks)
Setting
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Time: Early - mid 1990s
Place: West Newton, MA
Protagonist
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Is the main character in a literary work.
Protagonist
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Mitch Albom
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Morrie Shwartz?
Antagonist
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Is the character or force in conflict with
a main character, or protagonist.
Antagonist
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The societal pressures that plague
Mitch.
For Morrie, the disease, ALS.