Tuesday S with Morrie Study Guide

Tuesday’s With Morrie Study Guide Name______Date______

1. What is their discussion curriculum?

2. What college did Mitch graduate from?

3. What disease was Morrie diagnosed with? What was his prognosis?

4. “ALS is like a lit candle: it melts your nerves and leaves your body a pile of wax,” is an example of what literary term?

5. How many years did the doctors give Morrie?

6. Describe Morrie’s personality in the chapter “The Syllabus.”

7. What was Mitch’s life like right after college? What changed his view on life?

8. After receiving his Master’s Degree in Journalism, what did Mitch do as a profession?

9. In March of 1995, what big event happened to Morrie?

1 10. What is the definition of a narcissist? (Look it up if you can’t figure it out from the context clues in the book.)

11. How long has it been since Mitch has seen Morrie?

12. What is Mitch’s excuse for not visiting Morrie? (page 33)

13. Mitch’s days are full yet unsatisfying. How come?

14. What did the doctor tell Morrie to do to check his lung capacity? How far can you count to?

15. Give an example of how we get wrapped up or addicted to someone else’s drama?

16. Why did it seem appropriate that Morrie and Mitch still meet on Tuesdays? (page 51)

17. Experiment: SILENCE

18. What time of day doesn’t Morrie feel sorry for himself. On the opposite end of the spectrum he sees himself as lucky. Why?

2 19. On the third Tuesday, what unusual item did Mitch arrive with?

20.Do you have any regrets? Anything you wish you could do over?

21. What was Ted Koppel’s follow up interview with Morrie like?

22.What significant event happened to Morrie at the age of 8? Describe his childhood and his relationship with is dad?

23.What was Morrie’s step-mother like? What was her belief about education?

24.What does Morrie mean when he says, “Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live.” (page 82)

25.What is “spiritual security?” (page 92)

26.Who is Lou Gehrig?

27.What is Morrie’s children like?

3 28.What is Mitch’s brother like?

29.What does Morrie mean when he says you need to “detach from a moment.” (clue: his coughing)

30.What is a gazelle?

31. What was Morrie’s first job after getting his Ph.D? What did he witness and learn there?

32.Describe some of Morrie’s experiences on campus at Brandeis.

33.How has Morrie’s view on being dependent changed? Was caused this change?

34.When asked about growing old, Morrie is not envious. What is Morrie’s perspective on aging?

35.On page 124, Morrie states that there is brainwashing going on in this country. What is he referring to? Do you agree with him?

4 36. Morrie had a special talent of making each visitor feel that the smile he was giving them is unique. Is there anyone who makes you feel special or make you smile everytime you see them? How?

37.What did Morrie ask Janine to do for him?

38.On page 149, Morrie says, “There are a few rules I know to be true about love and marriage.” What are they?

39.America….a land of possibilities and a place where everyone has an opportunity to do or be anything. What are some of the social problem the U.S. has? How come we have more problems than other countries?

40.Why is it important for us to give ourselves to other?

41. What does Morrie mean by, “Death ends a life, not a relationship.” (page 174)

42.What would Morrie do if he could have 24 hours with out his disease?

43.Describe Morrie and Mitch’s last visit together?

5 44. Conclusion: “Have you ever really has a teacher? One who saw you as a raw but precious thing, a jewel that, with wisdom could be polished to a proud shine? Describe that teacher.

45.Final Thoughts on the book:

46.Did your opinion of Mitch change as you read the book? How?

47.Who do you think got more out of their Tuesday meeting, Mitch or Morrie? Cite examples and your opinion.

48.If Mitch’s newspaper strike would’ve been easily resolved, do you think he would’ve visited Morrie as frequently? Why?

49.Morrie was 78 years old when he was diagnosed with ALS. How do you think he would’ve reacted if he contracted the disease when he was Mitch’s age? Would he have the same peace and acceptance?

50. To the very end, Mitch arrived at Morrie’s with food. Discuss the importance of this ritual.