- - - What is happening to Mitch Albom as we enter the hinge chapters of the book? Explain with evidence from text to support.
- - - The section that follows The Fifth Tuesday, the flashback of Mitch and his brother, is my favorite part of the book. Why? Why would such an innocuous flashback have impacted an unfeeling scab like me?
Mitch Albom's character is changing. He is softening up to Morrie and he is realizing how much he missed over the years that he did not keep in contact with Morrie. He does not seem to be focused on himself as much, instead he is more focused on Morrie's condition. Morrie told him that he looks out the window and watches his life pass by and it made Mitch see from Morrie's perspective and made him see things for how they are.
ReplyDeleteThis flashback shows a little bit of Mitch's character. He knew that after his uncle's death that some disease would strike his family again. He said he could feel its breath. He waited for it and he prepared himself for it, but it hit his brother not him. HE showed that he had an immense love for his brother. After his brother did not answer his calls or anything, he still kept trying to contact him. Morrie was there for him when his brother was not. That showed how strong his connection was with Morrie.
1. At the beginning of the chapters Mitch Albom was kind of a cold and i'm responsible person. He is starting to really get in touch with Morrie. They start to share deeper stories about their lives and what is going to happen. Mitch gets to be more open with Morrie when he keeps bringing Morrie food and showing him love and effection. Mitch changes the topic that they talk about. They used to talk about their past and getting caught up on their lives. Now they're talking about deep meanings like death. For example Morrie says,"let's begin with this idea, everyone knows they're going to die but nobody believes it." In this quotation Morrie is talking about death with Mitch in ones to get into a deep conversation. You can tell because he scribbles down on a piece of paper notes that he wants to go over with Mitch during his meeting.
ReplyDelete2. I have a couple reasons why this would be your favorite part of the book. It is a great flashback showing comparison between Mitch and Morrie and his brother and Mitch. In the story Mitch and his brother escape death on the sled. This symbolizes that they will take on death again what his brother has pancreatic cancer. You know this when it says," that wasn't so hard, we think and we are ready to take on death again." Another reason you like this part of the book is that the author does a great job tying in Mitch's childhood and Morries future. In the flashback Mitch is ready and excepting death with his brother. This can be tied into Morries situation.
ReplyDeleteAs the chapters go on, Mitch is beginning to slowly notice how different Morrie sees the world compared to him and how he wishes he could be that way. This becomes very obvious whenever they both look out the window to the trees outside. Mitch says how as he looks out on nature he tries to see it the way Morrie does but can't. The trees outside represent life and though as they sit there staring at the exact same thing, Morrie sees all the beauty and love in life and Mitch cannot yet.
This flashback is the first time the readers are exposed to a young, innocent Mitch. The audience has been shown how he was in his college years and how he is now but when he was a child playing with his younger brother they enjoyed life and innocently saw death as "cool" and were ready to face it without fear all over again. It is difficult for the reader not to wonder if Mitch can go back to how he was.
Mitch has become more involved with Morrie and has shown that throughout the book. Mitch is paying a lot more attention to what Morrie has to say. Evidence from the text is that he said that he has learned so much from these lessons and has been paying more attention to the lessons Morrie has to offer. It is you're favorite part of the book because it is so nice how he has this flashback of his brother and the way it is written makes it a peaceful moment in the book. It would have a feeling because it shows how love conquers all and that love is the most powerful thing on Earth.
ReplyDeleteMitch is starting to evolve as a person. The reader sees him start to question his lifestyle choices. Mitch begins to look at society and its priorities differently than before. He begins to take Morrie's lessons seriously and keeps them in his thoughts during his day to day life. The reader sees Mitch starting to become the person his college self would be proud of. In these two chapters, the reader sees Mitch begin to understand his materialistic values may not pay off in the end. Mitch quesions how he would feel with no family and dying. He tries to see the world as Morrie does when Morrie looks out the window. These examples hint at the beginnings of evolution within Mitch.
ReplyDeleteThe sledding flashback holds impact because it is such a relatable moment. Any kid who lives where it snows can relate to it. The scene is one that many people have experienced. It also reveals things about Mitch. Prior to the flashback Mitch the story of Mitch's brother is given. The reader sees that the absence of his brother causes Mitch pain. The flashback then provides the reasoning for his pain. The reader is able to understand how close the brothers were. The brothers faced death by car together. When Mitch says this the reader can understand his pain. Mitch thought he and his brother would face death together like they did as children. When his brother shuts him out, Mitch feels as though their whole relationship is thrown away. Mitch always believed he and his brother would face death together.
Mitch begins to become more open-minded and listen to what Morrie is trying to tell him. In the end of "The Fourth Tuesday", Morrie explains how he appreciates the window in the room because everytime he looks outside it is like seeing nature for the first time. After Morrie says that, Mitch looks out the window and tries to see what Morrie sees. This shows Mitch's character development and how he is trying to understand what Morrie is teaching him. Also, in his conversations with Morrie, Mitch becomes more engaged and understanding of what Morrie is trying to say. "...and I realized what he was doing. He was making sure I absorbed his point, without embarrassing me by asking." This shows how Mitch is becoming more open-minded to what Morrie is saying.
ReplyDeleteThe flashback gives the reader insight into Mitch's past and what might have made him into the man he is today. For most of the book so far, Mitch is very reserved and hidden, and this is the first bit of information the reader gets that could help in understanding Mitch. The flashback also shows that Mitch is not a completely awful person and why he is so drawn to Morrie. Furthermore, the scene allows the reader to change their opinion on Mitch, or develop a new viewpoint on Mitch.
As we enter the hinge chapters of the book, Mitch Albom is beginning to show a change in character to the readers. Towards the beginning of the novel when Mitch is just visiting Morrie for the first time in sixteen years, he comes across as self centered and standoffish. This is shown when Mitch acts like he is looking for the keys to his car when he is on the phone worrying about his job and how much money he is going to make. After Mitch graduated from college, he dropped Morrie like a hot potato. In the hinge chapter, Mitch is starting to open up and become the young man he used to be. He realizes that Morrie has had such an impact in his life and Morrie deserves all of his love and affection while he can still give it. Morrie's and Mitch's relationship has become stronger. Morrie feels comfortable with Mitch again as he did when he was Mitch's professor. Morrie talks with Mitch about his death. "Everyone knows they're going to die but nobody believes it." Morrie shares this with Mitch on a personal level, showing the bond the two men will always share. Mitch is being touched by Morrie in a way that will change his ego and life forever. The section that follows "The Fifth Tuesday" is a flashback that shows the contrast between Mitch's relationship with his brother and Mitch's relationship with Morrie. Mitch's brother has pancreatic cancer and Mitch is aware that he will have to experience death with his brother soon. This is something that Mitch already almost experienced with his brother as they were young children and almost died on a sled. This most likely gets to your heart because it ties Mitch's childhood and Morries future together. Mitch is expecting two loved one's deaths and that thought alone sends chills down your spine.
ReplyDeleteAs the story goes on, Mitch learns more and more about death. He is also learning to live his life, because you want to have many important memories before you're gone. He also learns throughout being with Morrie that his job isn't as important as he makes it. Work is important, but Mitch should still be out doing stuff that he likes. The flash back of Mitch and his brother is your favorite part of the story, because even though it is something simple, it shows how much fun Mitch once had. It shows that at that point Mitch was not afraid of death and he felt it as a rush. He put this in the story to show that at one point, before he started working, that he liked to live life.
ReplyDeleteAs we enter the hinge chapters of the book Mitch Albom begins to open up more about himself and he also starts to start feeling more sadness. At one point in the story, Mitch begins to talk about his own family and tells a story about his brother. This story shows that even Mitch has more hardships than you think. Mitch starts to become more touched by the things Morrie says. Such as when Morrie talks about a window being more to him that it would be to anyone else.
ReplyDeleteThe flashback of Mitch and his brother is Mitch telling about the differences between him and his brother, and then him speaking about how his brother got pancreatic cancer. This flashback was very impactful because this is the first time we hear about Mitch's personal life, and something that has affected him. Mitch and his brother are completely different, while Mitch is a very obedient, well behaved boy his brother is the opposite. However, despite Mitch being the better child, Mitch's family likes his brother more. Mitch and his brother don't really speak much because they live across the world from each other and Mitch doesn't seem to be too fond of his brother. One day his brother gets diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Mitch thought that he would be the one out of all the siblings to get pancreatic cancer so this comes as a shock to him, and as his brother is suffering Mitch feels as if he should be the one to feel that pain. Luckily, his brother goes into remission. His brother won't speak to anyone, however, in the family. Mitch and his brother lose almost all connections completely. This story impacts the reader because of the sadness Mitch has. Mitch wants to reconnect with his brother and still cares so much for his brother, though his brother is liked more by everyone and refuses to speak to him.
Question 1: Mitch is starting to understand Morrie's lessons and begins using them in his normal life. The readers can identify this through Mitch's responses to Morrie's statements and his personal thoughts. Mitch tends to respond to Morrie's statements more frequently than he did earlier in the book. For example, after Morrie comments on the fact that people do not believe that they will die, Mitch says, "So we kid ourselves about death?" Earlier in the book, Mitch would not have been able to respond so accurately to that comment, showing that he is absorbing Morrie's lessons. Mitch also begins to grasp how Morrie is teaching him and why it is so important. In his mind, Mitch shows us, he starts to understand how Morrie teaches. For example, Mitch realizes that Morrie repeats comments so that he can understand them better and remember them.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2: This passage is meant to touch every reader that has a sibling. Most siblings share special moments similar to Mitch and his brother. At this point, Mitch does not know that his brother will have cancer and nearly die. This passage's irony is meant to touch the readers and help them appreciate every moment they have with their family because they cannot see the future. By helping readers feel this way, Mitch helps them grasp what Morrie is trying to say about family, that they are life's foundation and should be appreciated and loved.
He is beginning to make a much larger connection with morrie. these past Tuesdays conversations were much deeper conversations than they have had yet. These conversations include death and family. These conversations we see Morrie explain his points of view on both of the subjects which believe begin to change Mitch's opinion on the subjects.
ReplyDeleteThis part of the book talks about mitch's brother who was diagnosed with cancer, and how he moved away from his family and wanted nothing to do with them. Believe that this is your favorite part because you really like the way mitch tied his past and morries present/future together.
Mitch is changing in the way he acts, thinks, and speaks with Morrie and the outside world. At the being Mitch was a workaholic, egotistical man that forgot his friends, family, and Morrie because of it. Mitch is know going back to his college days were he was more down to earth and really stopped and stared upon his life. He no longer brings a rental cellphone to keep in contact with work or even thinks about his work or anything involving that when he is with Morrie. Mitch is finally seeing what is important in life, sure it takes a dying man to make him see that, but he finally sees it.
ReplyDeleteThis flashback may of impacted an unfeeling scab like yourself because it brings the whole character development of Mitch together and lets you what is really important to him. We now finally see why Mitch buried himself with work and what his brother meant to him. The car coming at them as they a sliding down a hill thinking they're about to die and the look that they give each other. A look that Mitch and his brother will probably remember forever. Also how Mitch is hurt because his brother doesn't want anyone around during his time of need. Mitch loved his brother and for his brother to reject him like that is heart-breaking. That is why it may of got an unfeeling scab like yourself a little, just little, teary-eyed.
In this part of the book, Mitch seems to be becoming more aware of his feelings. Mitch, from time to time, sits back and just thinks to himself about things on his mind. He gets lost in thought, however when Morrie tries to question him about what's on his mind, he doesn't want to talk about it. Mitch is digging deep into himself as he listens to Morrie discuss the things on his list, and he seems to be reminiscing and thinking about his future.
ReplyDeleteI believe this is your favorite part because it is showing how a bond between people, related or not, can express love. In this situation, as Mitch and his younger brother were on the sled, their friends warned them that a car was coming. By warning them, they were showing that they cared about their safety. This little act showed that the friends loved and cared about the two boys, and they appear to want to help them in any way that they can.
Mitch Albom is beginning to relate to Morrie's words through his own personal life. He asks a question about family and children, something he failed to create with his wife. When the tables are turned and Morrie wishes for Albom to speak instead of him, he comes in contact with an emotion too strong to be shared that relates to his personal relationship with his family. He describes his broken relationship with his brother which he appears not to dwell on except when it is relevant.
ReplyDeletePerhaps this flashback reminded you of an experience of your own. The simplicity and innocence of the children sled riding could bring a smile to anyone's face. Their relationship was not nearly as complicated then and it is comforting to dwell on a happy memory if only for a few moments.
1. Mitch Albom is developing more as a character. He is beginning to see things in a different perspective. Mitch is starting to look at things with a more open mind and with more compassion. Also he is giving more personal information as the book goes on. He writes about his feelings more and more as the story goes on.
ReplyDelete2. This could impact you because it shows Mitch as child enjoying life with his brother. Instead of all about work Mitch that we know from the story so far we get a glimpse at Mitch as a child. It shows he loved fun as a child. Also the glimpse we have gotten at Mitch's brother shows him as distant from the family but this shows Mitch being with his brother and having fun with him. This flashback shows Mitch having a different view on death as he does now. In this flashback he was ready to take it on. Now he is curious as to how death approaches someone and asks Morrie about it.
As we enter the hinge chapters I believe Mitch is finally learning what has been missing in his life. I feel Mitch is starting to adhere to what Morrie is saying, and he is beginning to figure out why he changed after graduation. Also, that Morrie is finally getting to Mitch and he is starting to change his views and isn't all about work anymore. In the text Morrie informs Mitch that all of this work he had been doing isn't that important. This is a tough realization for Mitch in that all he has done in his entire life is work, and you can see that Mitch doesn't resent Morrie on this fact showing he is beginning to accept what he has done wrong. Mitch is also turning more compassionate and appreciating things more. When Morrie informs him about looking out the window Mitch tries his hardest to appreciate nature and consider having children. This shows Mitch is becoming more open to change, and willingly taking Morries advice.
ReplyDeleteI'm not exactly sure, because its hard to read minds. However, I think that this part of the book may be your favorite, because this is the only part of the book so far in that innocent people weren't affected by all the troubles of life. So far in this book we have faced a terrible disease, ALS, a man who used to care about life but now is just engulfed in work, and an old man who is withering a way while trying to make the best of it. This is the only part in which innocent kids aren't affected by these troubles of the world. Also, this shows love, compassion, and just having fun which the book is really wanting you to do shown by Morrie's many aphorisms. Finally, I believe this impacted you, because the innocence of childhood is exemplified in this flashback. Also, you may have a brother that you are far away from now and it moved you to reminisce times when you and your brother spent time together.
ReplyDeleteIn this part of the book Mitch is changing. He is starting to realize where he has gone wrong and how he can fix it. He is trying to become a better persom just as Morrie was. It made a impact because it was unexpected. I never would have guessed that his brother would have been a cancer pacient. As the reader you are meant to feel the guilt that Mitch and his family felt when they were not supposed to go visit the brother in his time of need.
ReplyDelete1.) Mitch Albom is slowly realizing what he is doing wrong in his life. As Morrie continues to teach his lessons he realizes the things he should be doing. Morrie tells him he should start accepting death. Morrie thinks if he accepts death he will focus more on the meaningful things in life rather than just making money. Mitch writes down one lesson; friends can be there sometimes but family is there constantly. Mitch even thinks he might feel an unbearable amount of loneliness when he dies and has no children.Morrie tells him there is no experience like having children which makes Mitch think about starting a family and focusing less on work.
ReplyDelete2.) In the section of the Fifth Tuesday Mitch shares a flashback of him and his brother. Even though they are young Mitch says he is ready to take on death again. When they were young they almost could have been killed by a car and considered it to be fun. This could be your favorite part of the book because when people are usually young we challenge death and do silly things cause we don't ever think we will die until we are much older.
As we enter the hinges chapters of the book, I think Mitch is getting a more understanding of death and what Morries thoughts on death are. He asks more multiple questions about death and each time Morrie answered I believe Mitch came more acceptable with the concept of death. Morrie tells Mitch "if you listen to the bird on your should and accept that you will die at anytime then you might be as ambitious as you are". When Morrie says this he thinks Mitch won't think stuff he doesn't now isn't as important and doesn't have a meaning to him anymore, because he is so focused on dying.
ReplyDeleteI think this is your favorite part of the book because it shows a whole new side of Mitch. It shows Mitch doesn't believe his brother deserved to get cancer like his uncle. Mitch said he should of got it not his brother. Mitch had to watch his brother in pain, but knew he could fight it off and watched him fight it off. After a while, his brother didn't want any of his family around. After being cut off by his brother he went back to do what he did best dove into his work.
As the chapters continue throughout the book, Mitch Album seems to take on life from a different perspective because of the advice Morrie gives him each Tuesday. He is diverging into the person Morrie is. Morrie makes sure Mitch understands everything that he's saying by taking each subject day by day. Mitch learns the compassion through Morrie's words and actions toward him.
ReplyDeleteThe section after "The Fifth Tuesday" which is the flashback of Mitch and his brother could be someone's favorite part of the book. Mitch states that they were "ready to take on death again" which relates back to what Morrie said earlier on the Fifth Tuesday about death. Although Mitch and his brother could have died, they didn't believe in the possibility of them dying. Because they didn't believe, Mitch never learned how to live his life. If he would have believed that he could have died, he would have lived his life in an entirely different way from that day forward.
Mitch Albom is starting to understand why he loves being with Morrie so much. The more time he spends with him, the less regret he has. He also is beginning to open up about his life and what he wishes he would have done differently. From his childhood to his current lifestyle, he has pieces of a puzzle he feels he could never find. Currently, Mitch cannot seem to fulfill having a family, which is something he looked forward to out of college. He wanted to start a family; him, his wife, and children were what he visioned. Since leaving college, Mitch has not followed the path he expected. He is now a writer, not a pianist. He is alone, not starting a family. Work became his top priority, not those who love him. When he was a child he was distanced from his brother. His brother still seems to hold a grudge towards the way he was treated by Mitch. This is recognized when Mitch tells the story of his brother having cancer and not wanting his family to help. He pushes them away as if they are only going to make it harder. It brings a feeling of joy to us as readers when we hear about Mitch and his brother going sledding as children. It shows that there was hope for them to have a good relationship as young boys. It is also relatable for us because most likely we have all experienced a bond like this. Whether it is with a friend, sibling, or anyone else it is special and unforgettable.
ReplyDeleteMitch Albom seems to be opening up to new ideas and breaking out of his dull shell, as well as becoming more self-aware. He is listening and accepting (sometimes reluctantly) his personality through the eyes of Morrie, and he is learning a lot about himself in the process. He is starting to contemplate subjects which he hasn't really thought about since he was a college boy who had weekly conversations about deep things like death and family. He is thinking more, and it's all thanks to Morrie. The section is very impactful because it can appeal to anyone. Everyone is a child at some point, and when you're young and innocent, you are untainted by the illogical prejudice that circulates abundantly in the world. When you're young, getting along with others comes naturally, and it's amazing how easily that can change with age.
ReplyDeleteAs we enter the hinges chapters of the book, I think Mitch is getting a more understanding of death and what Morries thoughts on death are. He asks more multiple questions about death and each time Morrie answered I believe Mitch came more acceptable with the concept of death. Morrie tells Mitch "if you listen to the bird on your should and accept that you will die at anytime then you might be as ambitious as you are". When Morrie says this he thinks Mitch won't think stuff he doesn't now isn't as important and doesn't have a meaning to him anymore, because he is so focused on dying.
ReplyDeleteI think this is your favorite part of the book because it shows a whole new side of Mitch. It shows Mitch doesn't believe his brother deserved to get cancer like his uncle. Mitch said he should of got it not his brother. Mitch had to watch his brother in pain, but knew he could fight it off and watched him fight it off. After a while, his brother didn't want any of his family around, and aftter the pain being cut off by his brother caused him to do what he did best dove into his work.
As we read farther into the book, we start to see a change in Mitch. He starts to open up, and more of his feelings are revealed. Mitch explains that his work is important to him because it is something he can control and it was always there. It made sense to him. He worked so much because his brother would not allow him to to take care of him. Mitch said, "each time I would call my brother;s apartment in Spain and get the answering machine...I would hang up and work some more." He did not know what to do with himself, so he worked. Now that he is with Morrie, he doesn't have to put all his time into his work, because he can now put his time into helping Morrie. Mitch realizes that his work shouldn't be his main priority.
ReplyDeleteThe flashback of Mitch and his brother in the section after The Fifth Tuesday shows how close Mitch and his brother used to be. It shows how much of an impact their drift apart would have. This flashback would have such a huge impact because it may remind you of a time where things were easier and you did not have to worry about drifting apart because the people you cared about were always there. The flashback shows their bond together, and now that they are grown up and don't speak, it shows what they lost. As people get older, things become more complicated and you can't have the same relationships with people that you had when you were younger. This get complicated and you have responsibilities. This flashback brings back childhood feelings of freedom and peace.
Mitch is becoming more of a sensitive man. He has opened up since college and it shows. He does little things for Morrie like help him lift his glasses. He appreciates Morrie on a deeper level now and understands his reasoning on things more. Mitch realizes that Morrie repeated a statement instead of asking a question so the student would not get embarassed. Before he would get embarassed if him and Morrie accidently touched but when they brushed hands he knew that this comforted Morrie and that it was not as uncomfortable he thought as a kid. This scene represents the care free personality of a child. Children are innocent and not opened up completely to the world yet. They do not understand the tragedies and sorrows that they will soon face. This keeps them creative and daring. Death to them is unbelievable and they think if they keep surviving these little stunts they always will. This scene gives people hope that deep down people are still the children they once were.
ReplyDeleteAs the story progresses, we see characteristic changes in Mitch Albom. We see Albom view life through Morrie's perspective. He notices how Morrie views life differently than he does, and he wants to view it how Morrie does. This is evident when they look out the window and Mitch cannot see what Morrie describes to see when he looks out the window.
ReplyDeleteIn this section, it is the first time a young Mitch is shown in the story. It shows how unafraid him and his brother were of death as kids. In fact, they thought of it being "cool" after their near death experience on the sled. It is a completely different viewpoint of Mitch now, and when he was a child. It's also interesting how they viewed death.
In the hinge chapters of "Tuesdays with Morrie", Mitch Albom is beginning to experience a change. Mitch always has understood and appreciciated Morrie's perspective on life, but he is only now beginning to relate it to his own life. Morrie tells Mitch that, "Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live". This makes Mitch come to the realization that he has been living is life wrong, and has been taking the world around him for granted. Morrie also tells Mitch how important having his family with him in his last days has been. Mitch then begins to grasp the concept that having a family to love you and stick with you is more important than fame and work.
ReplyDeleteThe flashback of Mitch and his brother sled riding would have impacted you because of how it relates to Morrie's beliefs. Morrie's has stated that "Everyone knows they’re going to die, but nobody believes it” and "Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live". Mitch and his brother nearly die riding their sled. However, they never actually believe that that could have died. In fact, they are eager to face "death" again. Based on Morries statement, if Mitch had actually believed he could have died at that moment, he may have lived his whole life differently.
1. Mitch changes as we enter the hindge chapters by his attitude. In the beginning of the story, Mitch kinda blows off Morrie, but now, Mitch is excited about going to Morrie's every Tuesday. Mitch is now having fun and laughing instead of having a lets get this done attitude.
ReplyDelete2. This flashback is sad for multiple reasons. 1.) Mitch is seen with his brother once his brother gets cancer, he kind of pushes everyone away...including Mitch. 2.) Mitch is shown as having a good time and playing around, not like how he is described in the beginning of the story. When he first describes himself, he shows everyone his work face, but underneath is a person who just want to have fun and Morrie is bringing that back out in him.
In the recent chapters, Mitch’s character has changed considerably. We no longer see the man who finished a phone call in his car, but someone who rarely talks about work and sees real issues in the world. It began in Wimbledon, when he wasn't focused on work and kept thinking of Morrie. Now we see Mitch telling Morrie’s story as a student who has learned all that he can from Morrie. He discusses serious topics with Morrie, like death and family. Mitch’s character is less concerned about accomplishments and starts seeing things in a new way. While there is a large battle at his work, he rarely mentions it and focuses on Morrie. in the “hinge” chapters, we see a dramatic character change in Mitch.
ReplyDeleteThe flashback in The Fifth Tuesday carries great significance to the main concepts of the novel. We see two young boys, who think their life is over, that they are going to die. Even though the car misses they are impacted in a strange way, becoming closer to each other and death. Now that their minds have experienced what thinking about dying is, they can now understand what it feels like, when you think you only have moments left to live. It shows foolish children who do not grasp what has happened, but know what death feels like. The phrase that stats one of their friends said “cool”, shows how little the kids realized of what just happened. If both of them would of died, it would of been a tragedy, and their friends certainly of responded the way they did. But, they did not die that day, and now, after talking to Morrie, does Mitch fully understand what happened.
As we enter the hinge chapters of the book, Mitch Albom is learning much more from Morrie, and Mitch also begins to notice that Morrie is getting worse with each visit. In, “The Fourth Tuesday: We Talk About Death,” Mitch learns that everyone knows that they are going to die but nobody really believes it. In this chapter Morrie is also beginning to use an oxygen machine. In, “The Fifth Tuesday We Talk About Family,” Morrie talks about the importance of family. Family is the foundation for people to stand on and they are the only people who can give you that special love and support. Mitch also notices that Morrie is getting thinner and his clothes are getting loose. In, “The Sixth Tuesday We Talk About Emotions,” Mitch learns that it is okay to feel emotions and that it is better to let these emotions fully penetrate you. Morrie also begins to cough much more in this chapter. Throughout these chapters, Mitch is seeing someone getting closer to death and in the process, he is learning that it is okay to feel your emotions.
ReplyDeleteThe flashback section that follows “The Fifth Tuesday,” is your favorite part because you felt like you could relate to Mitch. You and Mitch both live in a family where you are not the only or the youngest child. You also like this part because it shows that Mitch does have feelings and it also gives a reason for why he works so much. Mitch was sad that his brother got cancer. Mitch was even more distraught when his brother shut out his family. Mitch felt guilty and angry so he worked to hide away his emotions.
Mitch is starting to open up to Morrie with true feelings. Morrie enjoys this physical closeness, as he now feels a stronger need for affection than ever. He tells Mitch that one's family is one's foundation, as the love and caring that a family gives is supremely valuable. Mitch also reveals that he has an older sister and younger brother. Although, reveals that the younger brother removed himself from the family and is fighting his own battle with pancreatic cancer. Morrie is considers himself fortunate because he has loved ones, including Mitch, who care for them with as much love as he would show them if they were ill. Morrie believes that only family can provide a true foundation for an individual to grow from, and implies that without this solid basis, one can never know love and how to love. This makes Mitch think about his brother and always hearing the answering machine when trying to call him reminds Mitch about the great physical and emotional distance between them. Mitch is becoming more emotional and open with his feelings during these last few chapters.
ReplyDeleteThe flashback goes to where Mitch and his brother are sled riding, and almost get hit by a car. After the shock, this makes them have a sense of pride and want to take the chance of risking their lives once more. It shows that Mitch is daring and carefree at heart. It also shows how stung of a relationship he had with his younger brother at the time. They were both children and did not worry about dying, even though they were close to death. Now, Mitch realizes that the bond between him and his brother is a loose relationship. He also realizes how precious life is since his brother has cancer, and seeing how fast Morrie's body is dying. This is how this flashbacks is important to the story and makes an impact on the reader.
As we enter the hinge chapters, Mitch starts to recognize his true feelings and what he needs to change in his life in order to accomplish goals that will ultimately satisfy him much more than work does. For example, instead of burying himself in work to distract himself from thinking about his withdrawn brother, Mitch lets himself remember his brother, who had cancer. "The bad news was, my brother did not want me around... I was ripped with guilt for what I felt I should he doing for him..." Mitch is learning from his past mistakes. While he could not be there for his brother, he will be there for Morrie and not dive into work to subjugate the pain.
ReplyDeleteThis is your favorite because it displays such a stark contrast between Mitch's childhood and adulthood. As a kid, he and his brother shared an irreplaceable bond and they felt like almost touching death, yet narrowly missing it, was an accomplishment, something to be proud of. Adult Mitch, however, shoves himself into work to attempt to override his desire for love, he and his brother a chilly distance apart. This is a sad change, and imagining oneself in Mitch's position leaves one with an empty feeling. Additionally, having more experience with death, older Mitch is afraid of "near-death" and does not find it nearly as innocent or exhilarating as his childhood self did. He finds cheating death a concept to fear rather than for which to be congratulated. The flashback shows us Mitch, as an adult, threw away many of the things that made him happy, which causes us to feel negative emotions towards this.
Mitch is becoming to grow into a caring person, and start thinking more of others then just materialistic objects. In the earlier chapters Mitch was completely focused on his job and being the best, that he wouldn't even take time for his wife. Since his time with Morrie on Tuesday though, Mitch is starting to take his lessons seriously and is striving to live his life more for the things that matter. "If you accept that you can die at any time then you might not be as ambitious as you are." Morrie wasn't afraid to tell Mitch how it was, and because of this Mitch took what he told him serious and changed him for the better.
ReplyDeleteThe flashback seen is able to tare at ones emotions because it shows a bond that only Mitch and his brother had shared. Mitch states that him and his brother were very different people, but they were actually very similar. Both men are determined people, Mitch is determined to prove he is worth something and his brother is determined to beat cancer. They also have the connect of sticking together. In the last line it states that after almost getting run over, the boys are ready to take on death again. This expresses a brotherly love the boys had, that only they shared. It is a very heartwarming section of the book, and gives more background on why Mitch is the way he is.
In these middle chapters, Mitch is becoming softer. What I mean by that is he's showing more emotion and compassion and he's even doing things he wouldn't usually do. There are many examples of this in the chapters. When Morrie tells Mitch how much he loves looking out the window at the nature outside, Mitch begins to think and realizes how many little things he can appreciate that he normally ignores. Also, he starts talking about his childhood which shows that he's beginning to open up and express his feelings. He even thinks of Morrie almost as his brother when he explained how his sick brother wouldn't let family visit. He's becoming more comfortable with physical contact too. When Morrie's sweater microphone would move or when he couldn't get his glasses on, Mitch helped instantly with no hesitation. He made physical contact with Morrie which made an emotional connection.
ReplyDeleteI actually enjoyed that little section too. It gave more insight into Mitch's life, shows that he's not just a zombie that he has feelings too, and is the beginning of a new Mitch to come. It's sad though D: It bothers you that his own brother won't let him visit him on his death bed; that Mitch and him could have had something special like he does with Morrie, but it builds the story up even more. Now you know the situation with his brother, so now you can understand Mitch's feelings towards Morrie when he compares him to his brother. Mitch is caring for Morrie in place of his brother which show you how strong of a connection they now have with each other, and how much Mitch loves Morrie.
Mitch starts to become more understanding of Morrie's disease and is more supportive. Mitch said that "...his need for physical affection was stronger than ever". He gives Morrie hugs now and helps him out, when before he was not like that. Mitch also opens up to expressing his life. We find out that Mitch has not had the greatest childhood either. He tells us that his brother moved to Europe and got cancer. While he had the cancer, he didn't want anyone from his family to communicate with him and that mad Mitch feel stressed out and sad, so now he wants to be there for Morrie because he couldn't be there for his brother.
ReplyDeleteThis flashback is comical because Mitch is telling a story he remembers with his brother about "almost" dying. It was a childhood memory that he remembers and says "we are ready to take on death again". They really didn't almost die but as a kid he said that.
In the hinge chapters of the book, Mitch is using Morrie's teachings to think about his life and his death differently. For example, in "The Fourth Tuesday", Morrie is teaching a lesson on death. In the lesson he says to Mitch " To know you're going to die, and to be prepared for it at any time". This causes Mitch to be intrigued and he kept on asking questions to Morrie about death. Also in "The Fifth Tuesday", Morrie asks Mitch about his family and how they have been. Whenever Morrie gets to Mitch's brother, Mitch quickly changes the subject because his brother had become ill with cancer. This shows that even though Morrie is wearing him down to ask more questions and to be more emotional, he still isn't at a point where he wants to talk about his own problems.
ReplyDeleteThe flashback may be your favorite part of the book because it could relate to something in your childhood. Like you said today in class, you grew up with seven siblings. However, you weren't the youngest. It is a possibility that you and your younger sibling had almost the same experience which is why it touched you specitfically.
I think tha Mitch gets a glimpse of how short and bitter life can be. Morrie tells Mitch that he is going to die eventually and he has to believe it. Mitch is also out of work at the time, and he can be getting a little stresed about his life. Also, Morrie teaches Mitch saying, " ones family is ones foundation." Mitch also gets the feeling that your family is the most important thing you have. Mitch is getting a lot of important lessons from Morrie about what is important, how to live, and how to be happy. Mitch's brother is a fighter and is willing to do what it takes to be successful in everything he try's or does. For example, when they were wrestling he bit through the shoe of Mitch so he could have a fighting chase. When he was diagnosed with cancer, he flew the world looking for a cure. He is the example of a person that will do anything to get what he wants. He is the example of how more people should be, instead of just feeling sorry for themselves.
ReplyDeleteAs we enter the hinge chapters of the books, Mitch Album begins to see reason with Morrie's teaching because Morrie uses his own life experiences to prove his point. For example when Mitch wonders if he would be as empty as Morrie describes someone dying alone. This shows that Mitch is considering Morrie's emphasized point of family being one's foundation since Mitch is portrayed as regretful here. Additionally after Morrie tells Mitch that to live detached is to live with acceptance when Morrie suffers a coughing fit, Mitch asks Morrie to stay alive a little longer. The reveals Mitch's struggle to accept Morrie is lesson that day.
ReplyDeleteThe flashback Mitch and his brother impacted you because you could have connected it to one of your life experiences with someone you were close to and lost contact with them. This section in the book is the second time Mitch reveals his compassion for his family. The flashback emphasizes how a broken family broke Mitch, so he surprised his family with work.
As we enter the hinge chapters of the book, more is told about Morrie. It explains how ALS is taking over more of his body as time goes by. Everytime Mitch visits Morrie, he realizes that he is becoming worse. In, The Fourth Tuesday We Talk About Death, Morrie teaches Mitch the valuable lesson that everyone knows that are going to die, but nobody realizes it. He wants Mitch to live a good life with no regrets. Morrie is also becoming worse in this section because he has to wear an oxygen mask. In,The Fifth Tuesday We Talk About Family, Morrie explains to Mitch the importance of family. He explains that family will support and love you no matter what. During this section, Morrie's clothes becomes loose due to the loss of weight. In, The Sixth Tuesday We Talk About Emotion, Morrie teaches Mitch that you should let yourself feel emotion. During this section, Morrie begins to cough a lot. Although, as Mitch watches Morrie start to die in front of him, he learns that it is good to use your emotions in life. Also, he observes the process of Morrie's death.
ReplyDeleteThe section that follows The Fifth Tuesday, which is the flashback of Mitch and his brother, is your favorite part of the book because you could relate to Mitch. Both of you live in a family where you are not the only child and you both are also not the youngest child. However, in the book, Mitch is upset that his younger brother was diagnosed with cancer and that his brother did not want to be around him and even the rest of his family. Therefore, Mitch turned to work because he could control the sensible and responsive aspects of it. He covers up his emotions by working constantly. Even though he kept on trying to contact his brother, they just drifted apart. As Mitch looked back on those years, he realized that a possible reason he is drawn to Morrie is because he let him be where his brother was not. This could relate to you because maybe your brother did not want to be apart of your life and you needed someone else to take place of your brother figure.
During the hinge chapters of the book we start to see some changes in the character of Mitch Albom. Mitch starts to open up in terms of emotions. In The Fourth Tuesday Mitch and Morrie talk about death. In this comes the discussion of spirituality, Mitch is obviously not comfortable with this topic. Although he does not refute it immediately, a small sign of opening up. A more major sigh of his emotional change is in The Fifth Tuesday is his evaluation of his own life. He and Morrie talk about family. Mitch had no family and no children then. He said “Yet when I looked at Morrie, I wondered if I were in his shoes, about to die, and I had no family, no children, would the emptiness be unbearable?” This shows that Mitch is starting to care about his family, wondering about children. He is rethinking his life. Even though this is only one question out of an entire section. It is the fact that he asked it that matters. The thought came into his mind, and will most likely cross it again. Next, Mitch had a flashback to one of his childhood best friends. As Morrie and Mitch begin to talk about Morrie’s family, they talk about siblings. Here we see the emotional connection that Mitch had with his younger brother. How that connection began to dwindle. How his brother was his childhood friend. His brother was more than his childhood friend he was his best friend. From what we can see from The Fifth Tuesday they fought, but were also enjoyed playing outside together such as in the snow. This flashback triggers emotions of joy and excitement in Mitch, something he has not felt in a long time due to his laborious job. Since he felt this joy, he will want to feel it again. He cannot contact his brother, so he only has one option to the relive the joy of a family that he had when he was young. The only option is to try to start a family, which will cross his mind again. Weather he chooses to follow this cannot be predicted.
ReplyDeleteThe flashback from The Fifth Tuesday is Mr. Moio’s favorite part of the book because of the memories it brings to him. Mr. Moio had a best friend in high school. We can infer from his class discussions that they were extremely close and almost like brothers. His high school best friend sadly suffered an untimely death. In the end of The Fifth Tuesday Mitch and his brother are seen playing in the snow. They were also almost hit by a car. Afterward Mitch thought “That wasn't so hard, we think, and we are ready to take on death again.” This shows how Mitch and his brother felt invincible to death as children and teenagers naturally do. Later in Mitch’s life, his brother contracts patriotic cancer. He then isolates himself from his friends and family as he tries to fight off the disease. Mitch can no longer talk to his brother. This shows striking resemblance to Mr. Moio’s life. Mr. Moio and his best friend probably thought that they were invincible like most kids, thought that death would never come their way. Although it did, at the time of Mr. Moio’s best friend’s death, Mr. Moio was devastated. They were “brothers.” Mr. Moio could no longer talk to his best friends because of his passing. Although this section of the book reminds Mr. Moio of the fond memories he and his best friend had with baseball, along with the emotional pain associated with the sudden death of a friend. This section of the book is his favorite because he can relate well back to the relationship that Mitch and his brother had.
Mitch Album is beginning to soften up as a person as we get to the end of the book. He becomes less materialistic with his accesories and more loving towards the people he needs. It says in the story that he stops bringing his phone places and less time on the computer and more on the piano.
ReplyDeleteThe flashback after the Fifth Tuesday is your favorite part of the book because Mitch finnaly expresses compassion. He dodges cancer, but his outgoing brother gets it. This part of the book is so emotional because Mitch's brothers blocks him out of his life because of how ashamed he is. Everything that Morrie has been teaching Mitch not to do in life, happened to his brother. Morrie said not to let society determine the fate of somebody because of a disease you have. It says that perhaps Morrie knew this all along and I believe that he did.
As we enter the hinge chapters of "Tuesdays with Morrie" we start to see Mitch Albom open up to Morrie. He starts visiting Morrie more often than he used to after college. He brings food to Morrie each time they meet. It almost appears that Mitch is becoming a more caring person. I believe there is a possibility that Mitch may start applying this care to his family. Maybe Mitch will start taking time out of work to spend time with his family and maybe have children that his wife has wanted from the beginning of their marriage.
ReplyDeleteMitch is beginning to become affected by Morrie. At furst he cared about Morrie, but he wasn't a priority. His work was still more important than his old professor. In the hinge chapters of the book, Mitch is starting to love Morrie. He is making his conversations with him his number one priority. Everytime he is with Morrie he feels better about him self and begins to change his life. He becomes more like Morrie as their visits continue. His character and morals change to the more simple things in life, rather than materialistic things
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this section impacts an unfeeling scab like you because it is explaining a little bit why mitch is who he is. It is explaining the way he acted in the beginning of the book. The behavior that you criticized harshly, said you hated him for his actions. He has an excuse now. He was afraid of death and afraid of dissapointing his professor. He had experienced death earlier in life and thought he could run from it by burying himself in his work. This is why he tries to avoid the professor. He has changed now as a person and he has an excuse for his harshness at the beginning of the book. This is why an unfeeling scab like yourself was impacted by the flashback.
As we progress further into the book, Mitch is becoming a more caring person again. As he sees Morrie become happy, regardless of the fact that he will die soon, he acts as a caretaker for Morrie. Morrie becomes more caring by helping Morrie. Throughout the book, Albom has mentioned how he brings food to Morrie's house every Tuesday. However, in The Fourth Tuesday, "His glasses hung around his neck, and when he lifted them to his eyes, they slid around his temples, as if he were trying to put them on someone else in the dark. I reached over to help guide them onto his ears." Mitch says this. Mitch helps Morrie put his glasses, and Morrie "smiled when my hand brushed up against his head.". Also, Morrie talks to Mitch about having a family. Mitch eventually asks Morrie if he would do it again. Morrie's response, " Would I do it again? he said to me, looking surprised. Mitch, I would not have missed that experience for anything.", really hits home to Mitch. Now the reader may believe that Mitch will consider having a family.
ReplyDeleteThis part about Mitch's childhood is your favorite part of the book, because Mitch connects the idea of death with his childhood. The flashback says, " ... and we are ready to take on death again." This sets up that Mitch is used to death around him. Obviously, Morrie is at the point of death, Mitch's uncle has passed away, and his brother had cancer. Although we are not sure if Mitch's brother is dead or not, Mitch has been around the idea of death for a while. This flashback would have affected the reader, because they should feel care for Mitch, as Mitch is caring for Morrie. Mitch is caring for Morrie before he dies. Mitch is trying to make the reader see that he is no stranger to the idea of death.
In these chapters of the book, I think that Mitch is starting to tell us how he feels. Instead of focusing entirely on Morrie, he adds in more of his own feelings and thoughts. With each Tuesday, Morrie is getting to Mitch's emotions, and giving him deeper meanings and lessons. This is shown when he hides it from Morrie. Morrie asks what's wrong, and Mitch responds with "Nothing", and changes the subject, but tells the readers what was on his mind.
ReplyDeleteMitch's flashback shows his emotions. It's something that most people can relate to, and the way that he tells it pulls at the reader's emotions. He makes the story personal, and gives us insight to his life, pulling out reader's feelings.
Mitch is becoming more like the man he wanted to become after college. "I traded lots of dreams for a bigger paycheck, and I never even realized I was doing it." This quote resembles when Mitch was consumed with accomplishments. Now that he visits with Morrie, he remembers who he promised himself to be. "I no longer rented a cellular phone for the rides from the airport. Let them wait." Morrie is sculpting Mitch's actions and view of life.
ReplyDeleteThe flashback of Mitch and his brother is your favorite part of the book, because it revolves around family. You seem to admire your children very much. Mitch's brother had Polio and Mitch talks about sled riding on the road. He talks about "taking on death". It's a coincidence, because Mitch's brother had a high chance of death and they were "taking on death" against the cars. You must have been thinking about your children and worrying them due to this situation.
As the story progresses we see Mitch change as a character. He's slowly changing from the money and work crazed man to one who is beginning to go against the culture. As he watches Morrie die he starts to notice the little things in life and wants to change the man he became. He learns that without love your life will self-destruct. He stops renting a cellphone, realizes that they are not important anymore. Any human contact he makes with anyone no matter how little is the most joyful thing. Mitch learns that everyone is bound to die, and those who understand it live their life to the fullest.
ReplyDeleteThe flashback of Morrie and his brother makes such an impact, because they become united with each other through a near death experience. Mitch and his brother are total opposites of each other. Morrie is brunette his brother is blond, he is the good child while his brother was the rebel. The one way they were united was almost death. Death isn't always an event that tears people apart but a way to bring people together.
As we progress further into the story, we see a change in Mitch occur. He begins to become soft. As he sits with Morrie and listens and absorbs everything he has to say, he himself starts learning. Just like when he was a student he starts accepting all the advice that Morrie is indirectly giving him. An example is "...Nothing will give you that. Not money. Not fame" then he looks at Mitch and says "Not work." He speaks of over all ideas on what's important in life but then he directs it to Mitch when he looks at him. After this Mitch starts thinking about his life and what he thinks is important and starts getting softer. Then he shares the story of him and his brother which shows how he starts opening up. I believe a reason why this is your favorite part is it shows how being around and listening to Morrie can change a person. When Mitch starts opening up into his personal family life in the past, it shows how Morrie broke through Mitch's new found materialistic personality and brought out his older more caring personality.
ReplyDeleteMitch is obviously looking at himself more critically, after slowing down to do so. His life in the introduction section of his book reflect a busy and fast-going personality, but after talking to Morrie, Mitch appears to have slowed down in order to listen carefully to what Morrie is saying, and what he is saying is making Mitch critic himself. Comparing the example of him in the beginning, pretending to drop something to talk on the phone seconds longer, to now taking the time to bring groceries to Morrie and listen carefully to his dying words, we see him taking life a bit slower, to Morrie's pace.
ReplyDeleteI think you secretly have feelings. I'm not sure if I am seriously supposed to answer this, but I know people have feelings for things they relate to, so it is possible you have emotion and compassion for something that you have felt.
Mitch is talking about how he wishes he had relation with his brother. He feels some kind of regret and faulting for this. He is showing how much emotion is behind this subject and wishing he could go back to change a few things. His brother getting cancer also plays a toll on him as he feels he should of been the one to get it.
ReplyDeleteI think this moment may have brought back childhood memories. It could take you back to the times of were you felt once invincible as nothing in the world could hurt you. You could go out and do anything and expect to get right back up and take on the next adventuress thing. Now seeing that going to play a simple game of golf could result in getting run over by a golf cart would change your perspective and make you think of the good old days.
As we go on through the book, we realize that Mitch is changing from the self-centered jerk he was at the beginning of the book who sat in his car on a phone while his dying professor was waiting for him out on the lawn, to one that longs and cannot wait for his visits with Morrie. and even brings him food.
ReplyDeleteFrom The Fifth Tuesday, we learn about Mitch's relationship with his brother, and we assume that the brothers almost never got along. Then when we read this section we see them as young, carefree kids/brothers getting along. But I don't necessarily think this impacted you on such a more 'positive' note. I think that when you read they almost died but saw that they said 'It wasn't bad' and they could even do it again, I think you reacted with a 'awh. now isn't that sweet, so so very stupid and wrong of them'. When we read up to this much in the book, we take consideration into everything Morrie has said, how life is valuable and the whole "Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live." they are too young at that age to see the danger and understand the entire whole meaning of life as Morrie is teaching it. Instead they see a thrill in life and wish to do it again, even though it could potentially cause them critical harm and even death.
As we get farther into the book, Mitch begins to change drastically. He becomes more open as he expresses his feelings about being a parent. He develops a sense of question asking about key components to life, such as family. He realizes more and more the little things that make Morrie happy like human touches such as hugs and readjusting his glasses/fixing the microphone on his shirt. Mitch is overall loosening up to the world and focusing on important things like Morrie wants him to and takes into consideration the values Morrie is teaching him into his daily choices.
ReplyDeleteThe flashback of Mitch and his brother is your favorite part because it reminds you how all young boys have that invincible attitude. The rush of going down a hill in the winter and the thrill of no matter how fast you were going, eventually it would end in a crashing stop. This part of the story is your favorite for the incredible connection between a story that happens in Mitch's life, and a story that is apart of so many other lives especially in men and boys.
As we enter hinge chapters we realize that mitch is starting to become closer to his emotions. He isn't focusing all of his time on work instead he is now focusing on Morrie and his illness. He is also trying to please morrie by spending time with him and expressing his feelings.
ReplyDeleteThe flashback shows Mitchs past and a fun but daring time. Maybe you have a similar memory that involved coming close to death and surviving, but without a scratch and a great story. Or possibly spending time with a sibling in the winter. I think it has some sort of connection to a happy moment in your childhood.