Literary Analysis Of Tuesdays With Morrie

Constructive Criticism

Everybody is a critic. Individuals’ experience unique circumstances that shape their beliefs and perspectives on life. The novel Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, is about a professor named Morrie Schwatz who educates the author on important life lessons that Morrie has learned throughout his own life. Morrie felt his ideas on the American culture should be heard before he lost his life to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). ALS is an untreatable nervous system disease that effects physical movement by weakening the muscles. While the disease affected him physically, it also affected him mentally. He felt that he had the answers to the problems that he observed from the world around him. Morrie’s constructive criticism

In today’s American culture people believe money is what makes the world go around. Morrie criticizes how people in today’s society are brainwashed with the desire for material possessions. Morrie says, “More is good. More is good. We repeat it—and have it repeated to us—over and over until nobody bothers to even think otherwise” (124). Personal morals and respectable characteristics are overshadowed by individuals’ greed for money and ownership. Sadly, I am a guilty bystander that is following the same pathway as most American civilians due to wanting the fame and the fortune. Morrie assumes that the desire for money is truly a sign that people need love. Morrie expresses, “These were people so hungry for love that they were accepting substitutes. They were embracing material things and expecting a sort of hug back” (125). Individuals are not getting the love they need, so they seek it through material objects. However, individuals never seem satisfied because they soon move on to another object, and then another continuing a dissatisfied lifestyle. For instance, my friend Kim lives an unfortunate life with a man that shows no love, and a son that follows in the footsteps of his dad. The only joy and happiness she receives is through her possessions. Her joy and happiness soon became a problem of hoarding. Kim had a problem with letting material items go, and continued buying more stuff. Morrie’s

In America’s culture, marriages are so quick to fail before they even begin. Morrie says, “In this culture, it’s so important to find a loving relationship with someone because so much of the culture does not give you that” (148). People are selfish by putting their needs first and half the time they rush into a marriage before they really know what they want. In order to have a successful loving marriage there are a few rules for committed relationships. According to Morrie, the few rules are to respect one another, be willing to compromise, talk openly about your feelings, and have the same values (149). The few simple rules may seem easy but, due to the society today, it is close to impossible. My mother is a prime example because she has been married twice and has been divorced twice. When my mother’s marriages started getting rough, she gave up. People are too self-absorbed and inconsiderate of others’ feelings. Due to the actions of other individuals, people are starting to not get married. People do not want to get married because they see so many marriages fail. Morrie says, “I think marriage is a very important thing to do, and you’re missing a hell of a lot if you don’t try it” (149). Marriage can be the most fulfilling experience you can ever feel. The love and the support you will get from your significant other is worth more than money can