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Ashlee Williams
Ms. Bridget & Mrs. Ryan
Mod. Lit. & Comp. 6th
27 May 2014
Tuesdays with Morrie, and the Strongest Message
Life ends the way it begins. The piece of literature with the strongest message was
Tuesdays with Morrie. Tuesday with Morrie had the strongest message because of the emotion
behind what Morrie was going through, the strength Morrie develops, as well as Mitchs
character development.
To begin with, the emotion behind Morries fight with ALS, and the strength he finds to
overcome it creates the strong message to show that life doesnt end after death. Starting with,
the emotion sadness, and him questioning, Shouldnt the world stop? Dont they know what has
happened to me? (Albom 8) As well as, My tank is almost empty (Albom 37). Then Morrie
leads to understanding, When you learn how to die you learn to live (Albom 104). Also, Like
I said, no one really believes theyre going to die (Albom 82). Well, the truth is, if you really
listen to that bird on your shoulder, if you accept that you can die at any time- then you might not
be as ambitious as you are (Albom 83)
Additionally, the strength that Morrie develops, allows him to become comfortable with
people doing things for him. Morrie says, ... But Im working in it. Im trying to enjoy it. and
Mitch replies, Enjoy it? While Morrie responds, Yes. After all, I get to be a baby one more
time (Albom 49). Morrie also stating, I give myself a good cry if I need it, but then I
concentrate on all the good things still in my life. On the people who are coming to see me, on
the stories Im going to hear (Albom 57). Morrie still hurts, but sees that there still are so many
good things and people in his life to heal some of the hurt, although there is not healing
completely.

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In a like manner, Mitchs character development throughout the novel shows how he
grows and becomes more comfortable with his own life and takes control of his life. He says, I
like myself better when I was there. i no longer rented a cellular phone for the rides from the
airport. Let them wait, I told myself, mimicking Morrie (Albom 55). Furthermore, Mitch wasnt
ready or willing to do things for Morrie, but while going there every Tuesday, he got more
comfortable with things he needed, even helped Morrie get from his wheelchair to his rocking
recliner, and that made Morrie happy. Though others may say that PonyBoy, from The Outsiders
had a greater character development because he has been through his parents dying, to struggles
with his brother, and the loss of his best friend, and a loss of a person whom was like another
brother, Mitch dealt with the loss of his Coach, while learning the meaning of life, and
understanding that death is going to happen.
Therefore, Tuesdays with Morrie had the strongest message out of other pieces of
literature. This novel had the strongest message because of Morries emotion behind dealing with
ALS, the strength Morrie develops, and also how Mitchs character develops throughout the
book. Every beginning has an end.

Works Cited
Albom, Mitch. Tuesday with Morrie. Doubleday & McClure Company, 1997. Print.