Tuesdays with Morrie is a non-fiction book written by Mitch Albom. It is a memoir of the author’s weekly visits to his former college professor, Morrie Schwartz, who was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease. The book chronicles their conversations on life, love, and loss, as well as Morrie’s final months and the impact he had on Mitch’s life.
Chapter Summaries
Chapter 1: The Class
In the first chapter, Mitch introduces Morrie as his college professor, whom he had not seen in over 16 years. He describes how he was inspired by Morrie’s class on sociology and the human condition. Mitch explains how he became a successful journalist but felt empty inside. He received a call from his old college roommate who informed him that Morrie was dying of Lou Gehrig’s disease and wanted to see him. Mitch decided to visit Morrie every Tuesday, even though he was living in Detroit and Morrie was in Boston.
Chapter 2: The First Tuesday
In this chapter, Mitch arrives at Morrie’s house and is shocked to see how much he has deteriorated. Morrie is confined to a recliner and can only move his head. Mitch is initially nervous and awkward but soon opens up about his life. Morrie tells him that the most important thing in life is to have someone to talk to and that he is glad Mitch came.
Chapter 3: The Second Tuesday
In this chapter, Morrie tells Mitch that the most significant emotion is not happiness or love but sadness. He explains that sadness is the price we pay for being human and that it is our responsibility to feel it and learn from it. Morrie also tells Mitch that he has been married twice and has no children.
Chapter 4: The Third Tuesday
In this chapter, Morrie tells Mitch about his childhood in New York City and how he was influenced by the poverty and hardship he saw around him. He also talks about his first marriage and how he was pressured by his parents to marry a Jewish woman. Morrie also tells Mitch about his second marriage and how he fell in love with his wife, Charlotte.
Chapter 5: The Fourth Tuesday
In this chapter, Morrie tells Mitch about his experience in the army and how he was injured in Korea. He also talks about his decision to become a sociology professor and how he was influenced by the civil rights movement. Morrie also tells Mitch about his love for the Boston Red Sox and how he was at the game when they won the World Series in 1918.
Chapter 6: The Fifth Tuesday
In this chapter, Morrie tells Mitch about his diagnosis of Lou Gehrig’s disease and how he initially tried to ignore it. He also talks about how he has come to terms with his mortality and how he wants to make the most of his remaining time. Morrie also tells Mitch about his love for the natural world and how he spends his days watching birds and listening to music.
Chapter 7: The Sixth Tuesday
In this chapter, Morrie tells Mitch about his family and how he was raised in a strict household. He also talks about his love for his wife, Charlotte, and how she has been his rock throughout his illness. Morrie also tells Mitch about his decision to stop taking medication and how he wants to die naturally.
Chapter 8: The Seventh Tuesday
In this chapter, Morrie tells Mitch about his fear of death and how he has come to accept it. He also talks about how he wants to be remembered and how he hopes his legacy will live on through his students. Morrie also tells Mitch about his love for the natural world and how he spends his days watching birds and listening to music.
Chapter 9: The Eighth Tuesday
In this chapter, Morrie tells Mitch about his experience in the army and how he was injured in Korea. He also talks about his decision to become a sociology professor and how he was influenced by the civil rights movement. Morrie also tells Mitch about his love for the Boston Red Sox and how he was at the game when they won the World Series in 1918.
Chapter 10: The Ninth Tuesday
In this chapter, Morrie tells Mitch about his love for the natural world and how he spends his days watching birds and listening to music. He also talks about how he wants to be remembered and how he hopes his legacy will live on through his students. Morrie also tells Mitch about his decision to stop taking medication and how he wants to die naturally.
Chapter 11: The Tenth Tuesday
In this chapter, Morrie tells Mitch about his family and how he was raised in a strict household. He also talks about his love for his wife, Charlotte, and how she has been his rock throughout his illness. Morrie also tells Mitch about his decision to stop taking medication and how he wants to die naturally.
Conclusion
Tuesdays with Morrie is a powerful and moving memoir that explores the meaning of life and the impact of a mentor’s love. Through their weekly conversations, Morrie and Mitch delve into the human condition and the importance of relationships, love, and loss. Morrie’s wisdom and insight are both profound and humbling, and his legacy lives on through the lessons he taught Mitch and the readers of this book. Tuesdays with Morrie is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of life and the power of human connection.
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