HW 22

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom published in 1997 by Random house is a heart-warming and intellectual novel that gives some pretty interesting insights about our dominant social practices regarding illness and death. When Morrie is diagnosed with ALS, he sees a doctor, which is a dominant social practice, he also takes medication. However, an odd factor that one might not see often is Morrie's choice to teach about his death. He tries to make the best of it rather than just wither away.

I have grown out of my college life and subsequently forgotten about my favorite teacher, Morrie. I have reconnected with him as he has now again become my teacher, and I feel I will learn more now than I ever have.

"The culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. And you have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn't work, don't buy it." (p.42)

This is an interesting quote, because we all know the first part, but people hardly practice the second part, which is more important.


“Accept what you are able to do and what you are not able to do”
(pg 18)

I agree with what Morrie is saying, I just don't know if I would be able to accept the inability to do things like run. I feel that in accepting your abilities and inabilities, you're kind of giving up your independence.


“There are some mornings when I cry and cry and mourn for myself. Some mornings, I’m so angry and bitter. But it doesn’t last too long. Then I get up and say, ‘I want to live . . .’”
(pg 21)

If I were in Morrie's position, I would want to be as strong as him. I doubt I would be able to though, I feel as though I would give up on life altogether.




When people get sick they give up.  Morrie got sick and decided to use it for something.
When people get sick they go to the hospital and stay there. Morrie got sick and went back to work. When people get sick, they feel their life is over. Morrie got sick and realized that his students' lives were just beginning. This book grabs dominant social practices of being ill - such as staying in the hospital and giving up on life - and kicks them in the face. Morrie finds productivity in the face of illness. He uses it for the benefit of others, and doesn't feel embaressed. The fact that this book is non-fiction makes the story that much more inspirational. This actually happened, this man died and left the biggest mark possible, educated minds.