Mrs. Opaleski-DiMeo – English III
Tuesdays with Morrie Independent Reading Schedule and Study Guide
You will have from Monday, November 6th to Monday, November 27th to read Tuesdays with Morrie. This is entirely an independent reading assignment. NO CLASS TIME WILL BE ALLOTED FOR THIS BOOK WITH THE EXCEPTION OF BOOK IT. The reading schedule is up to you but I have broken it down into chapter sets to help you. Read the chapters listed; then on a separate sheet of paper, answer the questions in complete sentences. You will be responsible to bring your book and hand in the study guide to Turnitin.com on Monday, November 27th . There will be an objective test on that day - be prepared to discuss the memoir as well. During the month of November, you will be working on your Authentic Assessment research project. Plan accordingly and do not procrastinate.
Chapter Set #1 The Curriculum - The Syllabus
1. Discuss the curriculum to which Albom refers and analyze its significance.
2. What is the symbolism of the hibiscus plant?
3. What does Mitch’s final day with Schwartz in 1979 reveal about the two men?
4. Discuss Charlotte’s primary concerns and analyze the simile that describes Morrie’s reaction.
5. Analyze Morrie’s approach to dying and discuss how he incorporates his years of teaching.
Chapter Set #2 The Student - The Orientation
1. Examine Mitch’s reflections on the 16 years since he last saw Morrie and discuss what event most impacts him.
2. Explain Morrie’s personification of death “…he was not about to powder its nose” (21).
3. Discuss the relationship between Mitch and Morrie in 1976 and explain what this reveals about both of them.
Chapter Set #3 The Classroom -Taking Attendance
1. Examine Mitch’s self-analysis and why he becomes introspective during his visit with Morrie.
2. Analyze the following quote as it relates to the memoir and to you as well. “Dying is only one thing to be sad over…Living unhappily is something else”.
3. Apply the idea of “the tension of opposites” (40) to Mitch’s life after college. Note the metaphor about wrestling.
4. How did Morrie continue to influence Mitch during his college years?
Chapter Set #4 The First Tuesday-The Second Tuesday
1. What is Morrie’s reaction to his increasing dependency on others? What does this reveal about him and his philosophy on life?
2. Examine some of the teaching tactics Morrie uses with his college students, especially “silence” and the techniques he uses in Group Process. Are these effective techniques in your opinion?
3. Why does Mitch always bring food when he comes to Morrie’s house?
4. What is Albom saying about self-pity in this section? Do you agree –why or why not?
Chapter Set #5 The Third Tuesday - The Professor
1. What is the significance of the tape recorder Mitch brings. Connect it to the metaphor on page 63.
2. What does Morrie say about regret? What is Mitch’s reaction? What is yours? Why?
3. How has Morrie’s childhood shaped his life and his philosophy?
4. Do you agree with Morrie that “education is the antidote to poverty”? Why or why not?
Chapter Set #6 The Fourth Tuesday - The Fifth Tuesday
1. Reread the first paragraph on page 80; what is your reaction to Morrie’s perspective on death?
2. Explain Morrie’s quote “Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live”. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Explain.
3. What is Morrie’s philosophy about family? How does Mitch react?
4. Discuss Morrie’s relationship with his own family and the “painful price” he must pay for having children.
Chapter Set #7 The Sixth Tuesday - The Seventh Tuesday
1. How does Morrie begin his discourse on emotions? What is the “lesson” he is trying to teach Mitch?
2. What prompts Morrie to tell Mitch how he wants to die ? What is the significance of his desire?
3. Analyze the figurative language on page 108 and compare and the imagery of Morrie and a gazelle.
4. Do you agree with Morrie’s point that "the culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves” (35)? Why or why not?
5. Analyze the dialogue between Mitch and Morrie about aging. What is the point of this discussion?
Chapter Set #8 The Eighth-Ninth Tuesday
1. Compare and contrast the quote from Ted Turner “ I don’t want my tombstone to read ‘I never owned a network’” to what Morrie wants engraved on his tombstone.
2. Reread Morrie’s definition of a meaningful life on page 127. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
3. Analyze the statement by Mahatma Gandhi on page 129. How would you interpret this?
4. Compare what Morrie wants engraved on his tombstone to his discourse on how loves goes on.
5. Why does Mitch include the flashback of the death of Morrie’s father?
Chapter Set #9 The Tenth Tuesday - The Eleventh Tuesday
1. Examine Mitch’s reflections on marriage and Morrie’s response to his question about why so many people have problems in marriage. What is Morrie really saying about relationships?
2. What is the significance of Morrie’s and Mitch’s conversation about Job?
3. Analyze Morrie’s perspective about our culture and compare it with his and Mitch’s earlier discussions on culture.
Chapter Set #10 The Audiovisual, Part III -The Thirteenth Tuesday
1. What are Morrie’s final words to the TV audience of “Nightline”? What is the significance of his parting words to Ted Koppel?
2. Do you agree with Morrie’s aphorism about forgiveness page 164? Why or why not?
3. What does Morrie mean when he says “Death ends a life, not a relationship” (pg 172-74); does this hold true?
Chapter Set #11 The Fourteenth Tuesday - Conclusion
1. Explain why Albom titles the chapters the way he does.
2. How has Mitch grown from his Tuesday visits with Morrie?
3. What is the purpose of Tuesdays with Morrie?