TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE CHAPTER SUMMARY / FREE NOTES

The Orientation/ The Classroom

Summary

Mitch arrives at MorrieÂ’s house still on the phone with a producer about one of his stories. He does not want to end the call so he pretends he is looking for something in his car. When Morrie sees Mitch, he hugs him with so much affection, after almost sixteen years of not seeing him. The two sit in the house and Morrie begins to speak about his looming death.

Mitch and Morrie talk for over two hours that day, mostly about MorrieÂ’s sickness. Mitch eventually leaves to catch his returning flight and hugs Morrie good-bye.

These chapters flashback to Albom’s college years; Mitch nicknamed Morrie, “Coach” and recalls the lunches they ate together in the cafeteria.

Mitch began appreciating the study of human relations and caught MorrieÂ’s contagious passion for books. They would often talk after class and Mitch even consulted Morrie advice about this confusing stage of his life.

Notes

In these two chapters it is apparent that Mitch is ashamed of the person he has become in the sixteen years since he has seen Morrie. Mitch feels guilty for staying on the phone, in his car, while Morrie is anxiously awaiting his arrival. Mitch feels even guiltier when Morrie welcomes him so affectionately. As they sit and talk Mitch feels embarrassed that he is no longer the same as Morrie remembered him; he only hopes to fool Morrie into thinking he is the same.

For the remainder of these chapters we can tell that Mitch is very uncomfortable around Morrie and even about the person he himself has become. We can only infer from this, that Morrie will discover MitchÂ’s confused personality and help bring him back to the person he wishes to be.

Taking Attendance

Summary

A few weeks after his visit with Morrie, Mitch flies to London to cover Wimbledon. He notices the slough of printed tabloids and hungry reporters around him. He thinks of Morrie and their conversation.

When Mitch arrives back in Detroit, the unions at his newspaper had gone on strike. Mitch was currently out of his newspaper job. He called Morrie and the two agreed to meet again the following Tuesday.

The chapter then flashes back to MitchÂ’s sophomore year in college when he began to meet Morrie outside of the classroom for discussions. Mitch talks to Morrie about his aspirations in life because Morrie listens, unlike MitchÂ’s father who wants him to be a lawyer.

Notes

Mitch, even more so, realizes the shallowness of the media and even his career. He is frustrated that people waste so much time consumed in the lives of celebrities and gossip. He thinks of Morrie and the culture he chose for himself: Morrie dedicated his time to discussion groups, time with friends, dancing, reading and constantly thinking of new ideas on how to improve his life as well as the lives of those around him. He enjoyed his food and the nature around him while Mitch was too busy rushing past it.

When the union members went on strike Mitch finally realized that life went on without him and his column.

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