Dear Mr. Albom,
I cannot say enough how much I enjoyed your memoir. I have gotten so much advice about life that I don't think, or hope, I will never forget. I must say that the end was the cherry on top of the whole memoir. I am rarely satisfied with the ending of most books, but yours didn't leave me guessing or wanting more; which I love. Also, it leaves the reader with a warm feeling in their heart knowing that you can still talk with Morrie, and also that you made contact with your brother. Also, I feel that you are at peace with everything in your life towards the end, which proves that you have learned well form Morrie and have learned life's greatest lesson; which is basically every topic you and Morrie discuss throughout the novel, but what it all really comes down to is love. To be able to love is life's greatest lesson. Other than that there is not much I can say about the end.
Overall, it was a very deeply moving book full of wisdom; wisdom that we could all use. It is a nice tribute to age and aging. Although I am young still understood the beauty of aging and that it is an adventure to be appreciated. It is a memoir recommended for those having a hard time aging, it could really help them understand the beauty in all of it, but it is really adn truly recommended to anyone who can read.
What I enjoyed in particular is that I felt like I got to meet Morrie personally. To meet him as a person was an honor and generous of Mitch to share Morrie's last Months with his readers. It is a heart-felt story that should be shared with the world, because it has nothing to offer but good, and that is about as far as I can expand on the memoir as far as an overall review goes, but not much more needs to be said.
sincerely,
Grace
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Outside Reading-Week 5 Post A
VOCAB:
Till:A drawer, tray, or the like, as in a cabinet or chest, for keeping valuables.
Sequoia: either of two large coniferous trees of California,both having reddish bark and reaching heights of more than 300 ft.
APPEALS:
1) Mitch describes the way more looks on his last visit to Morrie's. He says, "I entered, pushing a smile onto my face, He wore a yellow pajama-like top, and a blanket covered him from the chest down,, The lump of his form was so withered that I almost thought something was missing. He was as small as a child"(183). This is a good quote because it shapes an image of how Morrie looked as he neared the end, but also it makes a nice comparison to child hood. In a way, Morrie is back to being a baby again. He eats only liquidized food, he has to have his bottom wiped, and is discovering life in a new way. I think this is a good way to look at death, it's in a way, being reborn. It is a more positive take on death. Except Mitch's description of Morrie is not all that positive; It shows more of Morrie's deterioration.
2) "Finally, on the fourth of November, when those he loved had left the room just for a moment--to grab coffee int he kitchen, the first time none of them were with him since the coma began--Morrie stopped breathing"(187). This is a very powerful and moving quote. I think this was the one that finally hit me, and made me tear up a bit. This seems like a powerful quote to me because Morrie had to die in that one moment when no one was there, to die, but I think this is good because I don't think Morrie would've anyone to watch him take his last breath. He wouldn't want them to be haunted by that for the rest of their lives. It sort of makes you think that their has to be someone out their watching and listening to us, and because Morrie would not have wanted anyone to see him die, someone out there let him leave at the exact moment he was ready. To me this is a comforting thought, thinking that a force bigger than me is listening and will bring me home when I'm ready.
3) " I believe he knew that he was in his own bed, that his books and his notes and his small hibiscus plant were nearby. He wanted to go serenely, and that is how he went"(188). This quote kind of shows a part of Morrie's personality. Morrie did what he wanted in life and did what made him happy, and by having all the little things by him that made him happy and doing it, in a way, on purpose just sort of demonstrates that part of Morrie. Also, I think Mitch says this because it makes him feel more comfortable, if I may, about Morrie's death.
QUOTE:
This is taking place at Morrie's funeral," 'You talk, I'll listen,' he had said. I tried doing that in my head and, to my happiness, found that the imagined conversation felt almost natural. I looked down at my hands, saw my watch and reallized why. It was Tuesday"(188).
This is one of the most siginificant quotes throughout the whold memoir, in my opinion. It closes the memoir with not a feeling of sadness, but of joy and hope. It was really a bittersweet moment; because Morrie did die, but knowing that Mitch and Morrie still have their Tuesdays together makes it O.K.
THEME:
As always, the theme of the book is too live life to its fullest with passion, love, and no regrets,but for this particular section it seems to be that you hace to except and move on with what has happened. It can't be changed. Mitch does a good job at handling Morrie's death and I beleive that he will learn to move on quickly, but not forget Morrie. You have to learn that there is a time to hold on and a time to let go, a time to dream and a time to be realistic, a time to remember and a time to forget. I think that Morrie's death was a way of telling Mitch this.
Till:A drawer, tray, or the like, as in a cabinet or chest, for keeping valuables.
Sequoia: either of two large coniferous trees of California,both having reddish bark and reaching heights of more than 300 ft.
APPEALS:
1) Mitch describes the way more looks on his last visit to Morrie's. He says, "I entered, pushing a smile onto my face, He wore a yellow pajama-like top, and a blanket covered him from the chest down,, The lump of his form was so withered that I almost thought something was missing. He was as small as a child"(183). This is a good quote because it shapes an image of how Morrie looked as he neared the end, but also it makes a nice comparison to child hood. In a way, Morrie is back to being a baby again. He eats only liquidized food, he has to have his bottom wiped, and is discovering life in a new way. I think this is a good way to look at death, it's in a way, being reborn. It is a more positive take on death. Except Mitch's description of Morrie is not all that positive; It shows more of Morrie's deterioration.
2) "Finally, on the fourth of November, when those he loved had left the room just for a moment--to grab coffee int he kitchen, the first time none of them were with him since the coma began--Morrie stopped breathing"(187). This is a very powerful and moving quote. I think this was the one that finally hit me, and made me tear up a bit. This seems like a powerful quote to me because Morrie had to die in that one moment when no one was there, to die, but I think this is good because I don't think Morrie would've anyone to watch him take his last breath. He wouldn't want them to be haunted by that for the rest of their lives. It sort of makes you think that their has to be someone out their watching and listening to us, and because Morrie would not have wanted anyone to see him die, someone out there let him leave at the exact moment he was ready. To me this is a comforting thought, thinking that a force bigger than me is listening and will bring me home when I'm ready.
3) " I believe he knew that he was in his own bed, that his books and his notes and his small hibiscus plant were nearby. He wanted to go serenely, and that is how he went"(188). This quote kind of shows a part of Morrie's personality. Morrie did what he wanted in life and did what made him happy, and by having all the little things by him that made him happy and doing it, in a way, on purpose just sort of demonstrates that part of Morrie. Also, I think Mitch says this because it makes him feel more comfortable, if I may, about Morrie's death.
QUOTE:
This is taking place at Morrie's funeral," 'You talk, I'll listen,' he had said. I tried doing that in my head and, to my happiness, found that the imagined conversation felt almost natural. I looked down at my hands, saw my watch and reallized why. It was Tuesday"(188).
This is one of the most siginificant quotes throughout the whold memoir, in my opinion. It closes the memoir with not a feeling of sadness, but of joy and hope. It was really a bittersweet moment; because Morrie did die, but knowing that Mitch and Morrie still have their Tuesdays together makes it O.K.
THEME:
As always, the theme of the book is too live life to its fullest with passion, love, and no regrets,but for this particular section it seems to be that you hace to except and move on with what has happened. It can't be changed. Mitch does a good job at handling Morrie's death and I beleive that he will learn to move on quickly, but not forget Morrie. You have to learn that there is a time to hold on and a time to let go, a time to dream and a time to be realistic, a time to remember and a time to forget. I think that Morrie's death was a way of telling Mitch this.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Outside Reading- Week 4 Post B
Dear Mitch,
I have reached the end of your memoir and the end of Morrie's life. Except there were no suprises to what happened, and some things were even forshadowed earlier in the book. FOr example, the whole not crying ordeal. It was mentioned a few times how you have never cried and I don't think that would'nt have been mentioned if you didn't end up crying in the end. Also, the end of the memoir was really jsut the summation of "Life's greatest lesson." EVerything Morrie taught came together in the end and the last thesis was finally finished.
What I really liked about the end is how Morrie still considered himself to be a teacher, even form beyond the grave, because this is very true. Also, I like the fact that you still go to Morrie's grave on Tuesdays and you actually felt as though he was listenening, but only on Tuesdays beacuse that was your guys' "day." I think that it is a releif to know that you can still talk to people even though they are dead, and I really do think they are listening. It's comforting to those who have just lost a loved one beacuse it is very difficult to just stop talking to them and not being able to talk to them. So, I think it really helps people cope with someone's death.
Well there wasn't a lot left that I had to read in the last section, but what I can say is that overall I really enjoyed the book. It gives such great advice for now and later in life. It is hard to forget that advice, because it's not like I haven't heard it before, but now it is even more embeded into my mind because I will remember what a great memoir it was and how great of a person Morrie was, and it jsut reminds me to try and be a better person and live my life in happiness.
I have reached the end of your memoir and the end of Morrie's life. Except there were no suprises to what happened, and some things were even forshadowed earlier in the book. FOr example, the whole not crying ordeal. It was mentioned a few times how you have never cried and I don't think that would'nt have been mentioned if you didn't end up crying in the end. Also, the end of the memoir was really jsut the summation of "Life's greatest lesson." EVerything Morrie taught came together in the end and the last thesis was finally finished.
What I really liked about the end is how Morrie still considered himself to be a teacher, even form beyond the grave, because this is very true. Also, I like the fact that you still go to Morrie's grave on Tuesdays and you actually felt as though he was listenening, but only on Tuesdays beacuse that was your guys' "day." I think that it is a releif to know that you can still talk to people even though they are dead, and I really do think they are listening. It's comforting to those who have just lost a loved one beacuse it is very difficult to just stop talking to them and not being able to talk to them. So, I think it really helps people cope with someone's death.
Well there wasn't a lot left that I had to read in the last section, but what I can say is that overall I really enjoyed the book. It gives such great advice for now and later in life. It is hard to forget that advice, because it's not like I haven't heard it before, but now it is even more embeded into my mind because I will remember what a great memoir it was and how great of a person Morrie was, and it jsut reminds me to try and be a better person and live my life in happiness.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Outside Reading- Week 4 Post A
Vocabulary-
facade: the front of a building, especially an imposing or decorative one. n.
pachysandra: any plant of the genus Pachysandra, as the Allegheny spurge or Japanese spurge, the leaves of which grow in a rounded clump, widely used as a ground cover in the U.S. n.
Appeals :
1) We are reaching the end of Morrie's life and Mitch quotes, " Morrie had canceled all of his appointments and had been sleeping much of the time, which was unlike him. He never cared for sleeping, not when there were people he could talk with"(181). This is really the realization moment in which Mitch points out that Morrie's end is near. He describes what Morrie was doing and how unlike of him this was. It is really Morrie's true surrender to the disease and to his fate. He has given up what he loves and would much rather due, but the disease has almost total control over him now, and he is not trying to fight it. If he was trying to fight it he would've had one of his assists move him to his study to speak, but it almost quite impossible and not worth. This is the ultimate realization that Morrie has reached his expiration date.
2) Mitch Observes in his way to his last visit with Morrie, " The porch steps. The glass in the front door. I absorbed these things in a slow, observant manner, as if seeing them for the first time..."(181). What Mitch wrote about in this quote was really one of his last steps of the last lesson I think. What Morrie has been trying to teach him is to take time and enjoy his life, the scenery, and the people. Mitch has taken the time to really observe what Morrie's house looked like. It could be just because he knows that his time with Morrie is almost up, but it is just the beginning of him taking his time to enjoy and absorb such things, even if it is as simple as the front of someones house. It is a memory he will want to have forever. I don't think you would want to miss one minuscule detail of the last day you spent with one of your loved ones.
3) A very dramatic, and important event that took many years to happen was when Mitch FINALLY cried. He says, "I like to think it was a fleeting moment of satisfaction for my dear old professor: he finally made me cry"(186) This is a breakthrough moment for both Mitch and Morrie. One of Morrie's greatest goals was for Mitch to just let go,be vulnerable, and to finally just cry. It takes the soon-to-be death of a loved one to evoke his tears, but it is much better then being stone cold about it. Mitch finally just lets his emotions do their job, and cries. I think that he even cried more for Morrie, to show him that he has learned what he was supposed to learn. Although ,it was a subconscious decision, and he didn't do it just to satisfy Morrie he also did it for himself.
Quote-
This is Mitch's final good-byes with Morrie in person. He says, " Morrie, I said softly. 'Coach,' he corrected. Coach, I said. I felt a shiver. He spoke in short bursts, inhaling air, exhaling words. His voice was thin and raspy. He smelled of ointment. 'You...are a good soul.' A good soul. 'Touched me...' he whispered. He moved my hands to his heart. 'Here' "(184). I think this is a significant quote because Morrie expresses how much he means to Mitch, and in does it in only a few words because he is limited to the breaths and words he can speak. What Morrie says here is was triggers Mitch's feeling to cry, and it really just exemplifies Mitch's importance to Morrie. It is a bittersweet moment for everyone, even the reader.
Theme-
I think that the theme remains fairly constant throughout the memoir, but one that particularly stuck out in this section in that you have to make peace with the death of a loved ones and to make the final good-bye a good one. It is the time to really tell the person how much you really love them and to tell them anything you want them to know, and that you can't hold back. Even if you express few words, they should just be something that really expresses your love for them. You don't want them to leave knowing something was unsaid.
facade: the front of a building, especially an imposing or decorative one. n.
pachysandra: any plant of the genus Pachysandra, as the Allegheny spurge or Japanese spurge, the leaves of which grow in a rounded clump, widely used as a ground cover in the U.S. n.
Appeals :
1) We are reaching the end of Morrie's life and Mitch quotes, " Morrie had canceled all of his appointments and had been sleeping much of the time, which was unlike him. He never cared for sleeping, not when there were people he could talk with"(181). This is really the realization moment in which Mitch points out that Morrie's end is near. He describes what Morrie was doing and how unlike of him this was. It is really Morrie's true surrender to the disease and to his fate. He has given up what he loves and would much rather due, but the disease has almost total control over him now, and he is not trying to fight it. If he was trying to fight it he would've had one of his assists move him to his study to speak, but it almost quite impossible and not worth. This is the ultimate realization that Morrie has reached his expiration date.
2) Mitch Observes in his way to his last visit with Morrie, " The porch steps. The glass in the front door. I absorbed these things in a slow, observant manner, as if seeing them for the first time..."(181). What Mitch wrote about in this quote was really one of his last steps of the last lesson I think. What Morrie has been trying to teach him is to take time and enjoy his life, the scenery, and the people. Mitch has taken the time to really observe what Morrie's house looked like. It could be just because he knows that his time with Morrie is almost up, but it is just the beginning of him taking his time to enjoy and absorb such things, even if it is as simple as the front of someones house. It is a memory he will want to have forever. I don't think you would want to miss one minuscule detail of the last day you spent with one of your loved ones.
3) A very dramatic, and important event that took many years to happen was when Mitch FINALLY cried. He says, "I like to think it was a fleeting moment of satisfaction for my dear old professor: he finally made me cry"(186) This is a breakthrough moment for both Mitch and Morrie. One of Morrie's greatest goals was for Mitch to just let go,be vulnerable, and to finally just cry. It takes the soon-to-be death of a loved one to evoke his tears, but it is much better then being stone cold about it. Mitch finally just lets his emotions do their job, and cries. I think that he even cried more for Morrie, to show him that he has learned what he was supposed to learn. Although ,it was a subconscious decision, and he didn't do it just to satisfy Morrie he also did it for himself.
Quote-
This is Mitch's final good-byes with Morrie in person. He says, " Morrie, I said softly. 'Coach,' he corrected. Coach, I said. I felt a shiver. He spoke in short bursts, inhaling air, exhaling words. His voice was thin and raspy. He smelled of ointment. 'You...are a good soul.' A good soul. 'Touched me...' he whispered. He moved my hands to his heart. 'Here' "(184). I think this is a significant quote because Morrie expresses how much he means to Mitch, and in does it in only a few words because he is limited to the breaths and words he can speak. What Morrie says here is was triggers Mitch's feeling to cry, and it really just exemplifies Mitch's importance to Morrie. It is a bittersweet moment for everyone, even the reader.
Theme-
I think that the theme remains fairly constant throughout the memoir, but one that particularly stuck out in this section in that you have to make peace with the death of a loved ones and to make the final good-bye a good one. It is the time to really tell the person how much you really love them and to tell them anything you want them to know, and that you can't hold back. Even if you express few words, they should just be something that really expresses your love for them. You don't want them to leave knowing something was unsaid.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Outside Reading-Week 3 Post B
Dearest Mitch,
I am nearing the end of your memoir, unfortunately. I'm currently at the part when Morrie really starts to be dependent on other people for EVERYTHING, even wiping his butt. The book is wrapping up really well and I think that we are getting to the major point/idea that Morrie teaches. What I feel like is happening is that Morrie keeps repeating what he says about life just in another form. I think it could possibly seem like this because the book goes by really fast, but I feel like I get the same lesson out of every chapter. Obviously, they are very important and helpful ideas, but I wish there was more perspective maybe.
One thing I noticed is that Morrie started pointing out more of his faults towards the end. It makes me fee a little better because Morrie just seems to be quite the perfect human being. He seems like the type of person we all want to be in our lives. Although one thing I dislike about Morrie, even though he is very inspirational, is that he had an interesting background and had so many opportunities in his lifetime. Far more interesting then any of mine, and therefore I think got a lot more out of his experiences than I will get out of mine. It's just sort of hard to relate to him at times because he has lived such a significant, interesting life, whereas I have not. When I am older I may have a better time understanding, but for right now it's just a bit of a stretch to relate to.
Although I have a harder time relating to Morrie in terms of experiences, I can relate to the small experiences such as, regretting something we did and then not having the chance to apologize. Also, there is a lesson being taught through the memoir, obviously, and I am taking advice out of it and have been trying to apply it into my daily life. Such as, appreciating my family and friends I have even more. They are something we take for grated all the time, mostly because we think that they won't leave us, but you never know and you have to appreciate all that they do. Also, I learned that should live my life as though it is on purpose, and don't do anything I will regret in the future. The lessons discussed here are just to name a few, and there are and will be many more. Most importantly, the "last thesis."
sincerely,
Grace
I am nearing the end of your memoir, unfortunately. I'm currently at the part when Morrie really starts to be dependent on other people for EVERYTHING, even wiping his butt. The book is wrapping up really well and I think that we are getting to the major point/idea that Morrie teaches. What I feel like is happening is that Morrie keeps repeating what he says about life just in another form. I think it could possibly seem like this because the book goes by really fast, but I feel like I get the same lesson out of every chapter. Obviously, they are very important and helpful ideas, but I wish there was more perspective maybe.
One thing I noticed is that Morrie started pointing out more of his faults towards the end. It makes me fee a little better because Morrie just seems to be quite the perfect human being. He seems like the type of person we all want to be in our lives. Although one thing I dislike about Morrie, even though he is very inspirational, is that he had an interesting background and had so many opportunities in his lifetime. Far more interesting then any of mine, and therefore I think got a lot more out of his experiences than I will get out of mine. It's just sort of hard to relate to him at times because he has lived such a significant, interesting life, whereas I have not. When I am older I may have a better time understanding, but for right now it's just a bit of a stretch to relate to.
Although I have a harder time relating to Morrie in terms of experiences, I can relate to the small experiences such as, regretting something we did and then not having the chance to apologize. Also, there is a lesson being taught through the memoir, obviously, and I am taking advice out of it and have been trying to apply it into my daily life. Such as, appreciating my family and friends I have even more. They are something we take for grated all the time, mostly because we think that they won't leave us, but you never know and you have to appreciate all that they do. Also, I learned that should live my life as though it is on purpose, and don't do anything I will regret in the future. The lessons discussed here are just to name a few, and there are and will be many more. Most importantly, the "last thesis."
sincerely,
Grace
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Outside Reading- Week 3 post A
Vocabulary-
lavaliere: an ornamental pendant, usually jeweled, worn on a chain around the neck. n.
gaunt: extremely thin and bony; haggard and drawn, as from great hunger, weariness, or torture.
Appeals-
1)Morrie is discussing the common theme in the memoir, death, and he says, "Everyone knows they're going to die, but nobody believes it, If we did, we would do things differently"(81). This is very true. We all know in the back of our minds that we'll all eventually pass one day, but we never think that would actually happen to us. Admittedly, even though I'm reading a book all about dying and learning life's lessons, I too forget that one day I will die. Everyone I know will die, but even though this memoir consistently speaks of death I still read it as though death is not in my life's plan. I think that we do this because to us we picture death far far away where it doesn't make us worry or even think about it that much. If it is brought up we worry about it for a brief moment, then it passes. What we have to realize is that we all are going to die, even if we may not think of it now, it will happen, and until that time we can make our lives as meaningful as possible and enjoy it while we have it.
2)Along the lines of the previous appeal, Morrie even admits himself that he also once thought that death couldn't touch him. He says, " I was like everyone else. I once told a friend of mine, in a moment of exuberance, 'I'm gonna be the healthiest old man you ver met!' "(82) This just even further proves that we deny death. Morrie was in his sixties when he said that, and also a probably pretty healthy old man. We think that just because we are healthy and doing well in life that we don't carry the risk of dying, but family history of poor health can kick in and end the healthy spree. Morrie was a healthy old man and before he knew it he had a fatal diesease. Death is something we can't stop or avoid. We may try to fight it, but I believe that if it happens it's suposed to happen.
3) Morrie discusses "spiritual" things with Mitch at one of their weekly meetings. Morrie tells Mitch looking out a window," You see that? You can go out there anytime. You can run up and down that block and go crazy. I can't do that. I can't go out. I can't run. I can't be out there without fear of getting sick. But you know what? I appreciate that window more than you do" (84). In this quote Morrie admits to his disability and the saddness it makes him feel, but at the same time he tells Mitch that even though he can do such things, he appreciates what he can do, and that most other people don't. Morrie kind of brags about what he can do that Mitch doesn't do, because Mitch and people in general can do things such as running, which Morrie can't do, but Morrie can appreciate a view from a window more than anyone else. They both just have different "talents"if I may.
Quote-
"The fact is, there is no foundation, no secure ground, upon which people may stand today if it isn't the family. It's become quite clear to me as I've been sick. 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' "(91). This quote is significant because it is true. We need family, even if they are not blood related, we need those people in our lives who care and support you. Also, the quote " Love eachother or perish" becomes one of the most frequently repeated quotes because it only makes sense.
Theme-
An insipient theme is that you must love in order to live. Life's greatest gift is love and that we have to use it to come out of life with meaning. Also, another theme is learning to accept what you have done and to make what you do non- regretful.
lavaliere: an ornamental pendant, usually jeweled, worn on a chain around the neck. n.
gaunt: extremely thin and bony; haggard and drawn, as from great hunger, weariness, or torture.
Appeals-
1)Morrie is discussing the common theme in the memoir, death, and he says, "Everyone knows they're going to die, but nobody believes it, If we did, we would do things differently"(81). This is very true. We all know in the back of our minds that we'll all eventually pass one day, but we never think that would actually happen to us. Admittedly, even though I'm reading a book all about dying and learning life's lessons, I too forget that one day I will die. Everyone I know will die, but even though this memoir consistently speaks of death I still read it as though death is not in my life's plan. I think that we do this because to us we picture death far far away where it doesn't make us worry or even think about it that much. If it is brought up we worry about it for a brief moment, then it passes. What we have to realize is that we all are going to die, even if we may not think of it now, it will happen, and until that time we can make our lives as meaningful as possible and enjoy it while we have it.
2)Along the lines of the previous appeal, Morrie even admits himself that he also once thought that death couldn't touch him. He says, " I was like everyone else. I once told a friend of mine, in a moment of exuberance, 'I'm gonna be the healthiest old man you ver met!' "(82) This just even further proves that we deny death. Morrie was in his sixties when he said that, and also a probably pretty healthy old man. We think that just because we are healthy and doing well in life that we don't carry the risk of dying, but family history of poor health can kick in and end the healthy spree. Morrie was a healthy old man and before he knew it he had a fatal diesease. Death is something we can't stop or avoid. We may try to fight it, but I believe that if it happens it's suposed to happen.
3) Morrie discusses "spiritual" things with Mitch at one of their weekly meetings. Morrie tells Mitch looking out a window," You see that? You can go out there anytime. You can run up and down that block and go crazy. I can't do that. I can't go out. I can't run. I can't be out there without fear of getting sick. But you know what? I appreciate that window more than you do" (84). In this quote Morrie admits to his disability and the saddness it makes him feel, but at the same time he tells Mitch that even though he can do such things, he appreciates what he can do, and that most other people don't. Morrie kind of brags about what he can do that Mitch doesn't do, because Mitch and people in general can do things such as running, which Morrie can't do, but Morrie can appreciate a view from a window more than anyone else. They both just have different "talents"if I may.
Quote-
"The fact is, there is no foundation, no secure ground, upon which people may stand today if it isn't the family. It's become quite clear to me as I've been sick. 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' "(91). This quote is significant because it is true. We need family, even if they are not blood related, we need those people in our lives who care and support you. Also, the quote " Love eachother or perish" becomes one of the most frequently repeated quotes because it only makes sense.
Theme-
An insipient theme is that you must love in order to live. Life's greatest gift is love and that we have to use it to come out of life with meaning. Also, another theme is learning to accept what you have done and to make what you do non- regretful.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Outside Reading-Week 2 Post B
Dear Mitchell,
As I continue to read your memoir I enjoy it even more. I really admire the relationship you have with Morrie. I wish I had a teacher that was that cool. Everyone contnues to tell me that your memoir is really sad, but I don't think it could be so sad that it has me in tears.
Something I noticed that you do stylistically is that you don't put what you say in quotes. I think that is both an interesting and annoying way to write. I inderstand you are trying to make a point with that choice, but It's hard to tell when you are actually saying it or jsu thinking it to yourself. Are you trying to point out that what Morrie says is more significant? Well, it's interesting.
I haven't read much further into the book since last, but it is a quick read. I'll write more once I get further into the book, and I'm not sure why I keep writing to you as though your going to read it.
Later days
As I continue to read your memoir I enjoy it even more. I really admire the relationship you have with Morrie. I wish I had a teacher that was that cool. Everyone contnues to tell me that your memoir is really sad, but I don't think it could be so sad that it has me in tears.
Something I noticed that you do stylistically is that you don't put what you say in quotes. I think that is both an interesting and annoying way to write. I inderstand you are trying to make a point with that choice, but It's hard to tell when you are actually saying it or jsu thinking it to yourself. Are you trying to point out that what Morrie says is more significant? Well, it's interesting.
I haven't read much further into the book since last, but it is a quick read. I'll write more once I get further into the book, and I'm not sure why I keep writing to you as though your going to read it.
Later days
Outside Reading-wekk 2 Part A
VOCAB-
Polio: an acute viral disease marked by inflammation of nerve cells of the brain stem and spinal cord.(75)
Yizkor: The Jewish memorial prayer for the dead.
APPEALS-
1) When Morrie is talking with the host of the television show, "nightline" and he begins to tell about the death of his mother. He becomes very emotional when he speaks of her death. Koppel, the host of the show says: " Morrie. That was seventy years ago your mother died. The pain still goes on?"
" You bet," Morrie whispered (72).
To me this says something about Morrie. I like that he is honest about how painful it still is, because it seems that a lot of folks that have lost someone act like they have moved on or try and hide their feelings about it, but Morrie admits that he is still saddened by it, and isn't afraid to show emotion like many people are. Morrie is very in touch with his feelings and isn't ashamed of it. I think that is admirable.
2) Morrie makes a reference to the practices of Buddhists, He says: " Do what the Buddhists do. Every day, have a little bird on your shoulder that asks, ' Is today the day? Am I ready? Am I doing all I need to do? Am I being the person I want to be?' " (81). This is an interesting way to ask yourself if you are ready for death in a broader sense, but more if you are doing what you want to do before you die and if you are being who you want to be known as when you pass. It's a simple way to figure out if you're where you want to be in life.
3) The author explains how Morrie's glasses were falling off his nose and how Mitch pushed them back up for him, and how it brought Morrie "Immediate joy"(83). Just a simple touch or human contact just made Morrie's day. It shoes how doing something so simple to us can be so significant to another. It makes me want to do more little favors that are no trouble at all for us, but may be the biggest help to someone else.
QUOTE- " Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live"(82). It is a simple quote, but it says a lot, and that in order to know how to live, we need to know how to die first. It is true what they say, "Live every day as though it is your last." Basically that's what Morrie is telling us in this quote. It takes some thought to understand what he is saying here. The author explains how Morrie said it twice so he could understand, without him having to ask him to repeat it twice, and that's what made him a goood teacher. I think he's saying that to enjoy life we need to except death and enjoy death to know how to live and to love it.
THEME-
Another emerging theme is knowing what priorities should be in life, and in the end all the work we do won't be important.
Polio: an acute viral disease marked by inflammation of nerve cells of the brain stem and spinal cord.(75)
Yizkor: The Jewish memorial prayer for the dead.
APPEALS-
1) When Morrie is talking with the host of the television show, "nightline" and he begins to tell about the death of his mother. He becomes very emotional when he speaks of her death. Koppel, the host of the show says: " Morrie. That was seventy years ago your mother died. The pain still goes on?"
" You bet," Morrie whispered (72).
To me this says something about Morrie. I like that he is honest about how painful it still is, because it seems that a lot of folks that have lost someone act like they have moved on or try and hide their feelings about it, but Morrie admits that he is still saddened by it, and isn't afraid to show emotion like many people are. Morrie is very in touch with his feelings and isn't ashamed of it. I think that is admirable.
2) Morrie makes a reference to the practices of Buddhists, He says: " Do what the Buddhists do. Every day, have a little bird on your shoulder that asks, ' Is today the day? Am I ready? Am I doing all I need to do? Am I being the person I want to be?' " (81). This is an interesting way to ask yourself if you are ready for death in a broader sense, but more if you are doing what you want to do before you die and if you are being who you want to be known as when you pass. It's a simple way to figure out if you're where you want to be in life.
3) The author explains how Morrie's glasses were falling off his nose and how Mitch pushed them back up for him, and how it brought Morrie "Immediate joy"(83). Just a simple touch or human contact just made Morrie's day. It shoes how doing something so simple to us can be so significant to another. It makes me want to do more little favors that are no trouble at all for us, but may be the biggest help to someone else.
QUOTE- " Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live"(82). It is a simple quote, but it says a lot, and that in order to know how to live, we need to know how to die first. It is true what they say, "Live every day as though it is your last." Basically that's what Morrie is telling us in this quote. It takes some thought to understand what he is saying here. The author explains how Morrie said it twice so he could understand, without him having to ask him to repeat it twice, and that's what made him a goood teacher. I think he's saying that to enjoy life we need to except death and enjoy death to know how to live and to love it.
THEME-
Another emerging theme is knowing what priorities should be in life, and in the end all the work we do won't be important.
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