Tuesdays with Morrie Elements of a Story

Plot Diagram: Exposition 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 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 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 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 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 “The Conclusion”: “there is no such thing as ‘too late’ in life.” “The teaching goes on” with “experience.”

Themes: 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 A recurring subject, theme, idea, etc., especially in a literary, artistic, or musical work.

Motifs Food Reincarnation and renewal The media

Symbol Is anything that stands for or represents something else.

Symbols Pink hibiscus plant Morrie’s bed Waves on the ocean

Foreshadowing The use of clues that suggest events that have yet to occur.

Foreshadowing “When you’re in bed, you’re dead.”

Point of View First person

Tone The writer’s attitude toward his or her audience and the subject.

Tone 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 The time, as past, present, or future, expressed by the author.

Tense Frequently shifts from present to past (flashbacks)

Setting Time: Early - mid 1990s Place: West Newton, MA

Protagonist Is the main character in a literary work.

Protagonist Mitch Albom Morrie Shwartz?

Antagonist Is the character or force in conflict with a main character, or protagonist.

Antagonist The societal pressures that plague Mitch. For Morrie, the disease, ALS.