Morrie Schwartz Character Analysis in Tuesdays with Morrie

A professor of Sociology at Brandeis University. His love of teaching and desire to treat others with compassion and understanding make him a beloved friend and mentor to many, including Mitch, the narrator. He loves to dance and doesn't much care for material culture, preferring instead to spend his time cultivating meaningful relationships. In 1994 he is diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS, a degenerative and terminal muscle disease. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, he takes it upon himself to teach the world how to live in the face of death. He remains positive as the disease progresses, allowing himself only a little time in the mornings to mourn his fate. A teacher to the end, he uses the three Nightline interviews with Ted Koppel to spread what he learns about life and death to viewers around the US. When Mitch decides to visit Morrie, Morrie takes the opportunity to both impart his knowledge to Mitch, and also supports the publishing of their "final thesis," which is the full text of the book. He sees the book as a way to continue teaching and imparting wisdom long after his death.

Morrie Schwartz Quotes in Tuesdays with Morrie

The Tuesdays with Morrie quotes below are all either spoken by Morrie Schwartz or refer to Morrie Schwartz. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

"Mitch, you are one of the good ones," he says, admiring the briefcase. Then he hugs me. I feel his thin arms around my back. I am taller than he is, and when he holds me, I feel awkward, older, as if I were the parent and he were the child.

Related Characters: Mitch Albom (speaker), Morrie Schwartz

Page Number and Citation: 4

Explanation and Analysis:

Mitch is at his college graduation ceremony and is saying goodbye to Morrie. Morrie's statement that Mitch is "one of the good ones" marks Mitch from the beginning as a kindhearted individual, which creates a counterpoint for the hardened and more materialistic person Mitch will later become after graduation. At this early stage, Mitch is willing and able to provide physical affection to Morrie, and while he admits feeling awkward during the hug, he's at least capable of showing emotion. This further develops young Mitch as an opposite type of character to the Mitch we'll come to know later in Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita del

Instead, he would make death his final project, the center point of his days. Since everyone was going to die, he could be of great value, right? He could be research. A human textbook. Study me in my slow and patient demise. Watch what happens to me. Learn with me.

Related Characters: Mitch Albom (speaker), Morrie Schwartz

Page Number and Citation: 10

Explanation and Analysis:

Morrie has just received his diagnosis of ALS from his doctor and experiences this thought and decision in the following days. Several important ideas coalesce here—first, we get a glimpse of Morrie's unwavering optimism. He makes the conscious decision to not just wither and be miserable with his fate; he decides instead to embrace it and fully experience what's going to happen. Then, we see that Morrie frames his life through teaching and learning, and this encompasses his greater community as well. By vowing to use himself as research and as a means to teach others about death, this central Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas au

Morrie cried and laughed with them. And all the heartfelt things we never get to say to those we love, Morrie said that day. His "living funeral" was a rousing success.

Related Characters: Mitch Albom (speaker), Charlotte, Morrie Schwartz

Page Number and Citation: 13

Explanation and Analysis:

After attending the funeral of a fellow professor that left him feeling depressed, Morrie organized what he calls a living funeral. While a funeral is also held after his death, holding a funeral before his death allows him to spend time with friends and family and hear the things that are said at funerals, but that the dead never get to hear. Morrie's personal culture is extremely focused on relationships, building community, and telling loved ones that they're loved and valued. He consistently remarks that he's lucky that he gets so much time to say goodbye, and this event acts Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occae

Do you prefer Mitch? Or is Mitchell better?

Related Characters: Morrie Schwartz (speaker), Mitch Albom

Page Number and Citation: 24

Explanation and Analysis:

Mitch is in his first class with Morrie in 1976, and Morrie is calling attendance. By asking Mitch what he prefers to be called, Morrie makes several things clear. First, it's obvious that Morrie sees his students as individuals with individual nicknames and preferences, which Mitch says he's never experienced before. This is one of the reasons that Morrie is a good teacher, as he cares not just about the transfer of information, but puts more emphasis on building trust and a relationship with each student. In this way, this question is also a prime example of Morrie's desire to Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptate

And you have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn't work, don't buy it.

Related Characters: Morrie Schwartz (speaker), Mitch Albom

Page Number and Citation: 35

Explanation and Analysis:

Mitch is visiting Morrie for the first time, and after a silence that Mitch describes as awkward, Morrie jumps right into a brief discussion of modern culture. Throughout the text, Morrie consistently critiques the modern American culture of the 90s as materialistic and not conducive to a fulfilled and happy life. He is insistent that in order to become fulfilled, people must reject what modern culture holds up as important, such as money and accumulating material goods, in favor of building community and relationships.Morrie's entire outlook on life and death has its roots in this statement. While death is universally Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus

Life is a series of pulls back and forth... A tension of opposites, like a pull on a rubber band. And most of us live somewhere in the middle.

Related Characters: Morrie Schwartz (speaker), Mitch Albom

Page Number and Citation: 40

Explanation and Analysis:

Mitch and Morrie are sitting in Morrie's office in a flashback to Mitch's college days, and Mitch has been complaining to Morrie about the confusion he feels regarding his age and what he should be doing.The concept of the tension of opposites describes what Mitch struggles with throughout the text. He knows he should be more like Morrie—more open with his emotions and more interested in relationships. Instead, he fills his life with work in the media, which represents the exact opposite way of living. As he works, Mitch accumulates material goods and achievements rather than positive personal relationships. He Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus

I knew there was plenty of food at the house, but I wanted to contribute something. I was so powerless to help Morrie otherwise. And I remembered his fondness for eating.

Related Characters: Mitch Albom (speaker), Morrie Schwartz

Related Symbols: Food

Page Number and Citation: 48

Explanation and Analysis:

Mitch has just arrived at Morrie's house bearing bags of deli food. Throughout the text, food and eating are developed first and foremost as a way in which Morrie builds community. Mitch remembers when he and Morrie would eat together in the Brandeis dining hall, and starts bringing food as an offering for the Tuesday visits.Mitch recognizes the importance of food and eating to Morrie's personal culture. Eating for Morrie is not just a way to nourish his body; it's a way to build relationships and foster community. By bringing food, Mitch is essentially providing an easy way for him Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus v

Holding him like that moved me in a way I cannot describe, except to say I felt the seeds of death inside his shriveling frame, and as I laid him in his chair, adjusting his head on the pillows, I had the coldest realization that our time was running out.
And I had to do something.

Related Characters: Mitch Albom (speaker), Morrie Schwartz

Page Number and Citation: 59

Explanation and Analysis:

Mitch has this chilling realization when he offers to lift Morrie from his wheelchair into his armchair in his office. This is the second instance for Mitch of death acting as a catalyst for change. Prior to this moment, it's unclear whether Mitch is going to continue visiting Morrie or not, and it's also unclear whether Mitch is going to take any of Morrie's wisdom and apply it to his life. This realization is what truly begins Mitch's pivot from hardened, materialistic, and superficial to someone who embodies Morrie's teachings.Though this is the second time of death creating a change Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates.

“I'm going to say it again,” he said. “Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live.” He smiled, and I realized what he was doing. He was making sure I absorbed this point, without embarrassing me by asking. It was part of what made him a good teacher.

Related Characters: Mitch Albom (speaker), Morrie Schwartz (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 82

Explanation and Analysis:

Sitting in Morrie's office, Mitch and Morrie are discussing death and the relationship of life to death. Part of what makes Morrie a good teacher is that he can turn the stuff of everyday life into a lesson on leading a more fulfilled life. However, it's often his lessons that are less overt that carry the most weight, as Mitch notes here. Morrie's teaching skills shine, as he carefully makes his point without making the statement something so major and imposing. Morrie's statement itself can be read as a way in which to understand the book's purpose as a whole. Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a

“If you don't have the support and love and caring and concern that you get from a family, you don't have much at all. Love is so supremely important. As our great poet Auden said, 'Love each other or perish.'”

Related Characters: Morrie Schwartz (speaker), Mitch Albom, Rob, Charlotte, Jon

Page Number and Citation: 91

Explanation and Analysis:

This Tuesday, Mitch and Morrie are discussing the importance of family. Morrie is describing his feelings about his own family and how important they are to him, especially now that his health is in decline. Morrie is ardent that family is the most important thing someone can have in life. He places a great deal of weight on the idea of familial responsibility. This idea of responsibility plays out in Morrie's immediate family, as Morrie often speaks very highly of the care he receives from Charlotte. Notably, he never mentions the quality of care he receives from home care workers Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum

Charlotte glanced again at my food and I felt suddenly ashamed. All these reminders of things Morrie would never enjoy.

Related Characters: Mitch Albom (speaker), Charlotte, Morrie Schwartz

Related Symbols: Food

Page Number and Citation: 102

Explanation and Analysis:

Mitch has been bringing food from Morrie's favorite deli for the last several weeks, but on this week Charlotte was home when Mitch arrived. She shared with Mitch that most of the food he's brought is now too difficult for Morrie to eat.Food is very important to Morrie, although the act of eating itself is possibly even more important than the food itself. Morrie uses the act of eating with people as a way to build community. Mitch mentions fond memories of eating with Morrie in the Brandeis dining hall, which is one of the ways in which the two Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti sol

Morrie observed that most of the patients there had been rejected and ignored in their lives, made to feel that they didn't exist. They also missed compassion—something the staff ran out of quickly. And many of these patients were well-off, from rich families, so their wealth did not buy them happiness or contentment.

Related Characters: Mitch Albom (speaker), Morrie Schwartz

Page Number and Citation: 110

Explanation and Analysis:

Morrie's first job after finishing his Ph.D. was conducting research in a mental institution outside of Washington, DC. His job was to observe the patients and their treatments. This is the lesson that Morrie takes away from conducting research in a mental hospital, and it will go on to inform how he structures his personal culture. Most of Morrie's concerns, here as well as later in life, are about how we treat others and what sort of an effect our actions have on them. Morrie will later champion the power of simply paying attention and giving someone your full attention, Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Duc

At seventy-eight, he was giving as an adult and taking as a child.

Related Characters: Mitch Albom (speaker), Morrie Schwartz

Page Number and Citation: 116

Explanation and Analysis:

Mitch has this realization after Morrie tells him that although he can no longer use the toilet unassisted, he's learning to enjoy being completely cared for like a child. The text draws a firm connection between the state of being a child and many of the positive aspects of Morrie's personal culture, such as unconditional love, care, and physical affection. As Morrie's mobility declines and he has to rely completely on others for every aspect of daily living, he in effect returns to childhood. Most importantly, he longs for and fully desires these simple pleasures, and sees them as pleasures Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. O

When I give my time, when I can make someone smile after they were feeling sad, it's as close to healthy as I ever feel.

Related Characters: Morrie Schwartz (speaker), Mitch Albom

Page Number and Citation: 128

Explanation and Analysis:

The topic for this week's discussion is money, and Morrie here is stressing the importance of relationships rather than accumulating material goods near the end of Mitch's visit. With this statement, Morrie ties positive and fulfilling relationships directly to physical health. This supports his concept of personal culture, since so much of his personal culture is built on the idea of nurturing these relationships. By this point in the book, Morrie's body is no longer functioning or healthy. Note that while Morrie doesn't go so far as to say that he feels truly healthy when he's able to make someone Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantiu

When you're in bed, you're dead.

Related Characters: Morrie Schwartz (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 131

Explanation and Analysis:

This is one of Morrie's aphorisms, told to Mitch at the beginning of their weekly visit. Morrie comes up with this one when he can barely move, but he still insists on spending each day in his study. Morrie's insistence that daily life will go on, despite the devastating effects of his disease, are indicative of his positive outlook on life. His positive outlook, in turn, is a direct result of his rejection of modern culture in favor of a self-created personal culture. Morrie's culture does leave room for sadness and grief for his fate, but only a little. He Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo

I was thinking of this: A Teacher to the Last.

Related Characters: Morrie Schwartz (speaker), Mitch Albom

Page Number and Citation: 134

Explanation and Analysis:

"A Teacher to the Last" is what Morrie has just told Mitch he'd like to have on his tombstone. Morrie's desire for something that invokes his love of teaching makes it extremely clear just how important his role as a teacher is to him. The words on his tombstone will live on forever. In this sense, they echo the core concept of teaching that the book explores: that teaching doesn't just encompass lectures and the simple transfer of knowledge. Rather, teaching is cyclical, a give-and-take relationship between the teacher and the student, and one that perpetuates itself outward. Further, the Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit u

As my wife's loving voice filled the room, a crescent smile appeared on his face. And while his body was stiff as a sandbag, you could almost see him dancing inside it.

Related Characters: Mitch Albom (speaker), Janine, Morrie Schwartz

Related Symbols: Dance

Page Number and Citation: 146

Explanation and Analysis:

Janine has accompanied Mitch to visit Morrie this week. She is a professional singer and usually declines to sing for people, but to Mitch's surprise, she sang for Morrie when he asked.Mitch describes Morrie's reaction to hearing Janine sing in terms of dance, despite the fact that Morrie is no longer able to move much unassisted. This draws a connection between the physical act of dancing and what dancing means as a metaphor. Morrie never fully loses the joy of movement and dance; he remains capable of experiencing the same type of joy as he experiences music. The fact that Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi

“In the beginning of life, when we are infants, we need others to survive, right? And at the end of life, when you get like me, you need others to survive, right?”
His voice dropped to a whisper. “But here's the secret: in between, we need others as well.”

Related Characters: Morrie Schwartz (speaker), Mitch Albom

Page Number and Citation: 157

Explanation and Analysis:

Mitch and Morrie are discussing culture, and Morrie has just made the point that if people saw each other as individuals in need of love and care, the world wouldn't have so many problems.As the book progresses, Morrie develops the idea of community to encompass not just one's own community of friends and family, but expands it further to include the world. Much of Morrie's philosophy centers on caring for others emotionally and physically. The book stresses strongly the need for emotional care as a child through the glimpses we get into Morrie's difficult childhood due to the death of Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusanti

If I could have had another son, I would have liked it to be you.

Related Characters: Morrie Schwartz (speaker), Mitch Albom

Page Number and Citation: 168

Explanation and Analysis:

Morrie says this to Mitch as Mitch massages Morrie's feet. This week they're discussing regrets, and Morrie has just been discussing that while he mourns the short time he has left, he treasures the fact that he has enough time to make things right before he dies.Throughout the text, the relationship between Mitch and Morrie is presented first as a close student/teacher relationship. As time progresses, however, their relationship develops to become more like that of a father and son. This happens both in the past in Mitch's college days, as well as in the present. Morrie's statement here is Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. El

Then I'd go for a walk, in a garden with some trees, watch their colors, watch the birds, take in the nature that I haven't seen in so long now.
In the evening, we'd all go together to a restaurant with some great pasta, maybe some duck—I love duck—and then we'd dance the rest of the night. I'd dance with all the wonderful dance partners out there, until I was exhausted.

Related Characters: Morrie Schwartz (speaker), Mitch Albom

Related Symbols: Food, The Natural World and Morrie's Hibiscus, Dance

Page Number and Citation: 176

Explanation and Analysis:

Morrie is describing his perfect day for Mitch. The fact that what Morrie describes is so ordinary is indicative of the way Morrie lives his life and practices his personal culture, as Morrie doesn't choose to do something flashy or ostentatious. Instead, he wants to do the most normal of things—swimming, spending time with friends, eating, and dancing. While Morrie's personal culture is focused primarily on finding joy in simple things and relationships, the fact that he would choose to spend his last perfect day in this way points to just how invested he is in this way of living.This Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates.

I blinked back the tears, and he smacked his lips together and raised his eyebrows at the sight of my face. I like to think it was a fleeting moment of satisfaction for my dear old professor: He had finally made me cry.

Related Characters: Mitch Albom (speaker), Morrie Schwartz

Page Number and Citation: 186

Explanation and Analysis:

Mitch is saying goodbye to Morrie on his final visit and has just kissed him for the final time. For the entirety of Mitch and Morrie's relationship, one of Morrie's goals has been to show Mitch that crying is okay. Mitch, as a character that works very hard to fit a persona and doesn't fully embrace Morrie's wisdom regarding emotion, resists crying until this point. Mitch's willingness to cry here shows just how far his character has developed. Through the fourteen weeks he's spent visiting with Morrie, Morrie has been prepping him both to deal with his death and to Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicab

The last class of my old professor's life took place once a week, in his home, by a window in his study where he could watch a small hibiscus plant shed its pink flowers. The class met on Tuesdays. No books were required. The subject was the meaning of life. It was taught from experience.
The teaching goes on.

Related Characters: Mitch Albom (speaker), Morrie Schwartz

Related Symbols: The Natural World and Morrie's Hibiscus

Page Number and Citation: 192

Explanation and Analysis:

This is the final passage of the book. The words here are the same as the opening lines of the text, save for the addition of the final line. This repetition serves several purposes. First, repetition in general is used throughout the text to emphasize and remind the reader of important points, such as Auden's "love each other or perish" and Morrie's mantra "when you learn how to die, you learn how to live." This ties back to Morrie's way of teaching. As Mitch notes on page 82, rather than make a student potentially feel dumb by asking them if Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perfer

Eva would kiss them good-night. Morrie waited on those kisses like a puppy waits on milk, and he felt, deep down, that he had a mother again.

Related Characters: Mitch Albom (speaker), Morrie Schwartz, Charlie, David, Eva

Page Number and Citation: 76

Explanation and Analysis:

Mitch is telling the story of Morrie's early childhood experiences. After the death of his mother, Morrie struggled emotionally. His father was cold and not one for showing affection, which Morrie craved. After Charlie married Eva, who is described as warm enough to make up for Charlie's cool moodiness, Morrie felt more emotionally whole and fulfilled.Showing the profound effect of a mother figure in Morrie's early life sets Morrie up for the kind of family he wanted to build as an adult. When he did marry and have children of his own, Morrie made sure to emulate Eva rather than Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. A

Morrie Schwartz Character Timeline in Tuesdays with Morrie

The timeline below shows where the character Morrie Schwartz appears in Tuesdays with Morrie. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Thebook begins with Mitch, the narrator, describing the final class of his old professorMorrie's life. He describes where it was taught – Morrie's study, where Morrie could see his... (full context)

When the ceremony is over, Mitch finds his favorite professor,Morrie, and introduces him to his parents. Morrie embarrasses Mitch by telling his parents that Mitch... (full context)

Morrie receives his death sentence in the summer of 1994, but he knows that something bad... (full context)

Morrie develops athsma in his sixties, which forces him to stop dancing. One day while on... (full context)

Over the next several weeks, ALS begins to take over Morrie's body. First, he becomes unable to push the brakes in his car, and has to... (full context)

Mitch describes the usual progression of ALS, and comments that while Morrie's doctors guess he has two years to live, Morrie knows he has less time. Morrie... (full context)

Even as Morrie's life becomes more focused on managing his condition, he continues to see many visitors. As... (full context)

As the new year arrives, six months after his diagnosis,Morrie begins to have to start using a wheelchair. One of his colleagues dies suddenly, and... (full context)

Mitchgives his life story since graduation. He didn't keep in touch with Morrie or any of his other college friends. Mitch moved to New York City to be... (full context)

Mitch sometimes thought about Morrie, although he threw away mail from Brandeis University and lost contact with all of his... (full context)

It is March of 1995, and Ted Koppel is on his way to Morrie's house to conduct an interview with him for Nightline. By this point, Morrie is in... (full context)

Ted Koppel discovered Morrie through the article in the Boston Globe, and asked to interview Morrie about his life... (full context)

For the interview, Morrie refuses makeup or nice clothes, as he believes that death shouldn't be embarrassing. He discusses... (full context)

...who is flipping channels on his television. As he pauses at one channel, he hears Morrie'sname and goes numb. (full context)

In a flashback to 1976, Mitch describes the beginning of his first college class with Morrie. Mitch, noticing the small class size, realizes that it will be a hard class to... (full context)

...and doing several other work-related things at once as he scans the house numbers for Morrie's. When he comes upon Morrie's house, he stops suddenly, seeing Morrie and two other people... (full context)

When Mitch finishes and finally gets out of the car, he hugs Morrie, who is covered with a blanket despite the warm spring day. Mitch is surprised at... (full context)

They go inside and Morrie insists on feedingMitch. Morrie's nurse, Connie, brings them food and brings Morrie some pills. Morrie... (full context)

...year early and being one of the youngest students at Brandeis. He says it is Morrie's gentleness and desire to understand that keeps him coming back for more classes and allows... (full context)

Mitch begins to call Morrie "Coach," which Morrie likes. Morrie tells Mitch that he will be Mitch's coach, and Mitch... (full context)

Mitch and Morrie sit in the dining room of Morrie’s house while Connie answers the phone multiple times... (full context)

...he's become. If it weren't for the Nightline show, Mitch might never have known about Morrie'simpending death. Mitch wonders what happened to make him into the person he is, and offers... (full context)

As Morrieasks questions about love and being human, Mitch struggles to answer them, wanting to show Morrie... (full context)

Suddenly, Mitch remembers and says that he used to call Morrie "Coach," and Morrie smiles at the memory. Mitch continues to watch Morrie struggle to eat,... (full context)

After a long silence that Mitch finds embarrassing, Morrie begins to talk to Mitch about how modern culture leads people to live unhappy lives.... (full context)

Morrie asks Mitch a haunting question—if he'd like to hear how Morrie is going to die—and... (full context)

...in a flashback to his college days, Mitch shares the beginnings of his friendship with Morrie. Morrie's passion for learning is contagious, and the two begin to talk after classes. Morrie... (full context)

A week after his visit with Morrie, Mitch flies to England to cover the Wimbledon tennis tournament. In his free time, rather... (full context)

...own culture of spending hours per day on the computer, doing nothing but work, to Morrie'sculture. Morrie watches little television, and instead spends time writing letters, visiting with his friends, keeping... (full context)

...there is talk that it could continue for months. After a week, Mitch finally calls Morrie and asks to visit him again. (full context)

In Mitch's second year of college, he and Morrie meet regularly just to talk. Morrie encourages Mitch to be fully human, and advises him... (full context)

Morrie encourages Mitch to follow his dreams of becoming a professional pianist, rather than a lawyer... (full context)

Mitch arrives at Morrie's house with a variety of foods, and the two sit at Morrie's dining room table... (full context)

Noticing a pile of already-read newspapers, Mitch asks Morrie why he's bothering to keep up with the news. Morrie answers that he feels drawn... (full context)

Morrie says that the most important thing he's learning from being sick is how to give... (full context)

In another flashback to the 70s, Mitch describes one of Morrie's classes. During the class, Morrie conducts an exercise on silence and human relations. He enters... (full context)

Mitchfinds that he enjoys his visits with Morrie, and begins to take some of Morrie's wisdom to heart. Mitch stops carrying a cell... (full context)

Mitch arrives at Morrie's house with bags of foodafter stopping on his drive from the airport at a market... (full context)

When asked about it,Morrie tells Mitch that he does feel sorry for himself, but he only allows himself a... (full context)

When Morrie takes a break to use the bathroom, Mitch picks up a newspaper and reads articles... (full context)

In 1978, Mitch is taking a course with Morrie, which Mitchdeems "the touchy-feely course." Mitch recounts a trust fall exercise during the class. All... (full context)

Mitch arrives at Morrie's house with his bags of food and a tape recorder. He tells Morrie that he... (full context)

...and Mitch addresses the reader directly, saying that the tape recorder is more than nostalgia. Everyone—Morrie's family, former students, fellow professors—is losing Morrie, and tapes "are a desperate attempt to steal... (full context)

Returning to their conversation, Mitch says that the first time he saw Morrie on Nightline, he wondered what Morrie regretted once he found out he was dying. Mitch... (full context)

Morrie picks up on Mitch's hesitation while Mitch has his vision of dying at work, and... (full context)

...the fact that America is overflowing with different self-help methods, there are no clear answers. Morrie, however, seems to have a sense of clarity about what is important in life. Mitch's... (full context)

...senior year at Brandeis, he's only a few credits short of a Sociology degree, and Morrie suggests he try for an honors thesis. He takes Morrie up on his suggestion, and... (full context)

In Morrie's office at the end of Mitch's senior year, Morrie congratulates Mitch on completing his thesis.... (full context)

Because of the reception for the first Nightline show, Koppel returns to Morrie's house for a follow-up interview. This time, when the crew enters Morrie's house, they already... (full context)

When they begin filming, Koppel remarks that Morrie looks and sounds fine, and Morrie agrees. Koppel inquires how Morrie knows that he's going... (full context)

Morrie says that when he has visitors, he feels really good, and that his loving relationships... (full context)

Koppel asks Morrie about Morrie's friend, Maurie Stein, who is going deaf. Koppel wonders what it would be... (full context)

As the interview draws to a close, Morrie reads one of the letters he received after the first Nightline interview aired. It is... (full context)

Morrie is in a businesslike mood today, and suggests that they consider the idea that everyone... (full context)

...in the O.J. Simpson trial are becoming celebrities. Mitch notes that in the last week, Morrie acquired a portable oxygen machine to use when he has trouble getting enough air to... (full context)

Back in the conversation in Morrie's office, Morrie reiterates that everyone knows they're going to die but don't believe it. He... (full context)

The narrative steps back again from the conversation and Mitch gives a brief account of Morrie's religious situation. While Morrie was born Jewish, he became agnostic as a teenager due in... (full context)

Returning to the conversation again, Morrie says, twice for emphasis, that the truth is that once you learn how to die,... (full context)

Morrie struggles to put on his glasses and Mitch helps him, and the human touch brings... (full context)

Morrie continues to receive a great deal of mail, and has friends and family to help... (full context)

Mitch and Morrie are in Morrie's office, and the newspaper Morrie's been reading has a photo of a... (full context)

It's back-to-school week in Boston, and for the first time in 35 years, Morrie isn't teaching. Mitch thinks of football players who finally retire and have to deal with... (full context)

The topic for the day is family, and Morrie motions to photos in his study of his family, saying his family is all around... (full context)

Mitch wonders, if he were ill like Morrie but had no family, if the emptiness would be unbearable. Mitch mentions Morrie's sons, who... (full context)

Morrie then asks Mitch about his own family, and Mitch confirms that he has an older... (full context)

Mitch steps out of his conversation with Morrie to tell the reader about his brother, Peter. Peter was a dramatic child and wanted... (full context)

...Mitch worked, because it made him feel in control of something. Mitch muses that possibly, Morrie was aware of Mitch's emotions regarding Peter, and allowed Mitch to help and be with... (full context)

Mitch walks up the driveway to Morrie's house, noticing the plants planted in front of the house. Charlotte, Morrie's wife, answers the... (full context)

Morrie is spending most nights awake coughing for hours, meaning that neither he nor Charlotte are... (full context)

When Mitch sits down with Morrie, Morrie's cough is violent and it takes Morrie a while to recover. After making sure... (full context)

Morrie shares his scariest moments of coughing and not being able to breathe, but says that... (full context)

Morrie finally speaks and says he knows how he wants to die: peacefully, not in the... (full context)

Mitch asks Morrie if he believes in reincarnation, which Morrie answers with a maybe. When asked what he'd... (full context)

After completing his Ph.D., one of Morrie's first jobs was at a mental hospital in Washington D.C. He was given a grant... (full context)

Morrie became a professor at Brandeis in the late 50s. A few years later, the campus... (full context)

...worried that the students were making bombs in the chemistry labs in the building, but Morrie believed they just wanted to feel they mattered. After they'd had control of the building... (full context)

Morrie's classes were heavy on personal development and light on career skills, but despite experiencing much... (full context)

In the time since Mitch's last visit, Morrie's mobility has declined enough that he now has to have someone wipe him after using... (full context)

Later in the visit, Mitch asks Morrie about aging, recounting his own experience on the drive from the airport where he counted... (full context)

Morrie offers instead that he embraces aging, saying that aging means growth and understanding rather than... (full context)

Mitch asks Morrie if he envies younger, healthier people. Morrie admits he does, but mostly for the fact... (full context)

This week, Mitch has brought a newspaper to show Morrie a particular quote from a media mogul who had recently failed to acquire a television... (full context)

Morrie is having a good day after having an a cappella group perform for him the... (full context)

Morrie continues the discussion about money, saying that people in the US are brainwashed by hearing... (full context)

Mitch looks around, noticing that nothing in Morrie's home is new or upgraded. Despite that, Mitch notes that the house changed drastically, and... (full context)

Morrie discusses the difference between wants and needs, saying then that many of the things we... (full context)

...nicer things, justifying it by comparing his desires to those of rich and famous athletes. Morrie interrupts Mitch's reverie to tell him that only being open and loving will allow Mitch... (full context)

Morrie asks Mitch why he thinks it's so important for Morrie to listen to the problems... (full context)

Morrie seems to be melting into his chair as he declines. He now has a catheter... (full context)

Morrie tells Mitch that Koppel wants to do another show with him, but they want to... (full context)

Mitch thinks about his first thesis with Morrie and the encouragement he received from Morrie to write it. He considers the current situation,... (full context)

Morrie says that the day before, someone asked him if he worried about being forgotten after... (full context)

Morrie has decided what he wants on his tombstone: “A Teacher to the Last.”Mitch agrees that... (full context)

Mitch takes a moment to step out of the narrative and talk about how Morrie makes everyone feel special when they're with him. He knows how to pay attention and... (full context)

Mitch returns to the conversation. After motioning for Mitch's hand, Morrie says the problem is that everyone's in a hurry to go and acquire material goods.... (full context)

Mitch partly returns to his reverie, saying that Morrie was always ready to display emotion and truly listen to people. People loved him because... (full context)

Stepping back in time, Mitch tells the reader the story of Morrie's father's death. Every day after dinner, Charlie would go for a walk, and as a... (full context)

Morrie was called to New York to identify the body. He looked at his father through... (full context)

...energy, so that every birth equals a death elsewhere and vice versa. Both Mitch and Morrie like this idea, and Mitch says that Morrie seems to feel more and more like... (full context)

A few days prior to the visit, Mitch callsMorrie’s house to see how he’s doing. Morrie isn’t doing well—one cough sometimes lasts an hour,... (full context)

On Tuesday, Janine and Mitch sit with Morrie in his office. Mitch notes that Morrie seems to have more energy than usual, attributing... (full context)

Morrie resumes his story. He was in a poker group with other staff members at the... (full context)

Connie knocks on the office door to tell Morrie his lunch is ready. Morrie is now only capable of eating liquids and pureed foods.... (full context)

Morrie takes Janine’s hand and begins to ask her about her profession: singing. Janine is modest... (full context)

Mitch thinks about the struggles he sees his generation having with marriage, and asks Morrie why they have such problems. Morrie answers that he feels sorry for Mitch’s generation, because... (full context)

Morrie sighs and says that loved ones like a spouse are so important, saying that a... (full context)

...Mitch asks if there’s a rule to know if a marriage is going to work. Morrie smiles, saying that things aren’t that simple, but offers that a marriage will have trouble... (full context)

Mitch tells Morrie he has a question. He reminds Morrie of the Book of Job from the Bible.... (full context)

Morrie is lying in bed, dressed in pajama bottoms, and Mitch is helping Morrie’s physical therapist... (full context)

As Mitch works on Morrie’s back, he notices how small Morrie is now, and how pale and limp Morrie’s body... (full context)

Later that day, Mitch and Morrie are discussing culture. Morrie says that people are only mean when they’re threatened, and the... (full context)

Mitch and Morrie are holding hands, and Mitch squeezes Morrie’s hand. Mitch tells the reader that they hold... (full context)

Continuing their discussion, Morrie expands on his idea of building his personal culture. He says he follows basic rules... (full context)

Mitch asks Morrie why he didn’t move to a place where people are less selfish. Morrie replies that... (full context)

...thinking that everyone in the world is also watching, and hears from the other room Morrie being lifted onto the toilet. The thought makes Mitch smile. (full context)

In a flashback to 1979, Morrie is at a basketball game at Brandeis, where the team is doing very well. The... (full context)

On Friday, Koppel and his crew return to Morrie’s house for a final Nightline interview. Prior to the interview, Koppel called Morrie several times... (full context)

The interview takes place in Morrie’s study, where Morrie is now confined to his chair. Koppel squeezes in alongside the bookcase... (full context)

As the cameras roll, Koppel asks Morrie if he’s more afraid now. Morrie isn’t, he says—he’s less afraid, and is taking more... (full context)

The interview has officially ended, but the camera is still rolling. Koppel tells Morrie he did a good job, and Morrie replies that the disease will get his body... (full context)

The next Tuesday, Mitch is visiting Morrie. As they talk, Mitch is massaging Morrie’s feet, something he’d watched Morrie’s care workers do... (full context)

Mitch’s question for the week is the importance of forgiveness. Mitch wonders if Morrie had a need to say sorry for anything before he died. Morrie nods to a... (full context)

Mitch continues to rub Morrie's feet, leaving Morrie alone with his thoughts. After a minute, Morrie whispers that we need... (full context)

When Mitch questions Morrie's use of "lucky," Morrie reminds Mitch of the tension of opposites, and says that while... (full context)

Morrie tells Mitch to look at him, and when Mitch glances up, Morrie's look is intense.... (full context)

Morrie says that he's picked a place to be buried—on a hill, under a tree, overlooking... (full context)

Charlotte and Morrie have decided that Morrie's body should be cremated. They discuss this with the rabbi from... (full context)

When Mitch sits down for his visit, Morrie tells him about a book he read about death in a hospital, and how nurses... (full context)

Morrie coughs, and Mitch braces for something serious. Morrie's nights are even worse now, and he... (full context)

Morrie tells Mitch that the night before, he had a terrible coughing spell and even started... (full context)

Morrie asks to see the hibiscus plant, and Mitch holds it up so Morrie can see.... (full context)

...experimental drug that delays the progression of ALS will soon be on the market, but Morrie dismisses it. Mitch says that Morrie is realistic to a fault about his death. Mitch... (full context)

Mitch tries to imagine Morrie healthy, and realizes it's been 16 years since he saw Morrie standing. Mitch asks what... (full context)

Before Mitch leaves, Morrie asks if he can ask about Mitch's brother. Mitch doesn't know how Morrie knows his... (full context)

Morrie says that he heard a nice story the other day and recounts it to Mitch.... (full context)

The day before, Charlotte called Mitch to tell him that Morrie isn't doing well, but Morrie still wants Mitch to come visit. As Mitch walks up... (full context)

...buried in a garbage can in Los Angeles. Finally, Charlotte comes and tells Mitch that Morrie is ready. (full context)

...sees a hospice nurse sitting at the end of the hall, and then notices that Morrie's office is empty. He turns around and sees that Morrie is in bed. Mitch hears... (full context)

Morrie's speaking is labored and hard to understand, but he tells Mitch that Mitch is a... (full context)

Mitch picks up his bag and kisses Morrie, holding the embrace longer than usual in case it makes Morrie happy. Mitch begins to... (full context)

Morrie died the following Saturday morning. He fell into a coma two days after Mitch's last... (full context)

...color of milk. It's a small gathering, although hundreds of people wanted to attend. As Morrie's ashes are placed in the ground, Mitch looks around and thinks about Morrie talking about... (full context)

Stepping back from Morrie's story, Mitch tells the reader that he looks back at who he was before he... (full context)

A short while after Morrie's death, Mitch is able to reach his brother in Spain and the two have a... (full context)

...goes back to provide some more information on the book. Mitch says it was mostly Morrie's idea, and that he called the book their “final thesis.” Morrie was excited that several... (full context)

After Morrie's death, Mitchsays that he went through boxes of material from college and discovered a final... (full context)

The last class of Morrie's life took place once a week on Tuesdays, next to a window where Morrie could... (full context)

In a flashback, Morrie is eight, and a telegram comes from the hospital. Since Morrie's father, Charlie, can't read... (full context)

At the cemetery, Morrie remembers his mother while they bury her. Until she got sick, she ran a candy... (full context)

After the death of their mother, Morrie and David's relatives decided to send them to a hotel in the woods in Connecticut,... (full context)

...forth to special hospitals and forced to wear braces on his legs. In the mornings, Morrie attended synagogue by himself and prayed that God would take care of David and his... (full context)

A year later, when Morrie was nine, Charlie remarried. Eva was a Romanian immigrant with an abundance of energy and... (full context)

...the only way to escape their poverty, and wouldn't allow anything but academic excellence from Morrie. Morrie studied every night, and Eva attended night school to improve her English. (full context)

Every morning, Morrie attended synagogue and said the memorial prayer for the dead for his mother. Morrie did... (full context)

When Morrie was a teenager, Charlie took him to the fur factory to try to get Morrie... (full context)

Morrie Schwartz Character Analysis

Morrie Schwartz Quotes in Tuesdays with Morrie

The Curriculum Quotes

The Syllabus Quotes

The Audiovisual Quotes

The Classroom Quotes

The First Tuesday Quotes

The Second Tuesday Quotes

The Fourth Tuesday Quotes

The Fifth Tuesday Quotes

The Sixth Tuesday Quotes

The Professor, Part Two Quotes

The Seventh Tuesday Quotes

The Eighth Tuesday Quotes

The Ninth Tuesday Quotes

The Tenth Tuesday Quotes

The Eleventh Tuesday Quotes

The Thirteenth Tuesday Quotes

The Fourteenth Tuesday Quotes

Conclusion Quotes

The Professor Quotes

Morrie Schwartz Character Timeline in Tuesdays with Morrie