Reader Response Directions
Choose any four (4) of the prompts below, and answer in a Google doc. Each answer should be at least one well-written paragraph, which includes direct and cited references to Tuesdays With Morrie as well as thoughtful and developed reflection. Please share your responses with Mrs. Trentanelli ([email protected]).
- During one of Mitch and Morrie's first Tuesday visits, Morrie asked Mitch several pointed questions: "Are you giving to your community?" "Are you at peace with yourself?" "Are you trying to be as human as you can be?" (p.34) How would you respond to these questions?
- Morrie says, "There's a big confusion in this country over what we want versus what we need…you know what really gives you satisfaction? Offering others what you have to give." (p. 126) Morrie is quite critical of the cultural emphasis on consumption and wealth. How do you respond to his thoughts about our culture?
- "Devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you meaning and purpose." Morrie repeats these concepts multiple times during his conversations with Mitch. Reflect on how you are already, or could be, fulfilling this mandate.
- Shortly before he died, Morrie described for Mitch his perfect day. What would a perfect day look like for you?
- The relationship between Mitch and Morrie was important to both of them. In many ways, Morrie was a mentor – someone Mitch looked up to and respected, someone who was willing to help Mitch think about his own life, values, and purpose. Who is a mentor for you? What are some life issues facing you now? How might a mentor be helpful to you with those issues?
A PROFICIENT response will...
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A PROFICIENT response looks like...
Shortly before his old professor's death, Mitch asked Morrie what he would do "if [he] had one day perfectly healthy" (Albom 175). Morrie shared that he would enjoy many of the small things that had been denied to him because of his disease; eating his favorite breakfast, swimming, and going for a walk, all while surrounded by his family and friends. Unlike Morrie, I am not ravaged by a disease that prevents me from doing activities that bring me happiness. However, I do suffer from an affliction that impacts many of us - a pervasive sense of distraction that prevents me from being fully present. Much like Morrie, and ideally free my my own affliction, I would choose to spend my perfect day in the company of those I love. I would play a game of catch in the sunshine with my oldest son, listening to the stories he only carefully shares. I would curl up on the couch with my youngest son to watch a funny movie, laughing at his impressions and comedic insights. I would hike through the woods with my husband, sharing in his plans to make the great outdoors even greater. And I would sit at the kitchen counter with my parents, simply soaking in their presence. One of the key messages in Tuesdays With Morrie is to "find perfection in an average day" (Albom 176) and I hope that the simplicity and love that abounds in my perfect day lives up to that ideal.
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