Unit 2 Journey to Identity

Text Analysis
Title: Tuesdays with Morrie Author: Mitch Albom Publication Date: 1997
I chose this book because (respond in at least 2 sentences):
I chose to use Tuesdays with Morrie because that is what the assignment said to use. Also, because I have
already read the whole book and it would be better than reading a whole other book.
Discussion Questions
Use the text and your analysis to prepare two interpretive or evaluative discussion questions, then identify the
type of question you have created.
Question Is your question interpretive
or evaluative?
1. How did Morrie deal with his deadly disease? Interpretive
2. How did Mitch handle Morrie’s death? Interpretive
Connecting with Character: Protagonist’s Name: Morrie Swartz
How do you relate to this character?
I am similar to the character in the following ways… I am different from the character in the following
ways…
Beginning: I love to dance and we both love to Beginning: Besides being physically different he is a
connect with people. college professor and I am a high school student.
End: I’ll love the people in my life till the very end. End: I am not dying and am free to enjoy myself for a
while longer.
Identity Development
Identify the protagonist’s stage of identity development throughout the story. Complete the chart with the
correct stage and two instances of support from the text. Recall the different stages:
 Identify Diffusion occurs when an adolescent does not make a commitment to any particular roles,
values, or goals.
 Identify Foreclosure occurs when someone makes a commitment without considering other
possibilities.
 Identity Moratorium occurs when an individual is in the midst of a crisis over a particular role or
value and tries out alternatives in order to make a commitment.
 Identity Achievement occurs when someone makes a personal decision or commitment after going
through a crisis and exploring his or her option.

Stage of Identity Text Support – provide two instances of textual support for
Development each stage.
Beginning Identity diffusion
Middle Identity Moratorium
End Identity achievement
Conflict
Identify and describe two conflicts in the story. Explain how the protagonist responds throughout the story
and what his or her response reveals about him or her. Write in complete sentences.
Conflict Protagonist’s Response What does this reveal about the
character?

Plot
What narrative structure (episodic plot, parallel plot, etc.) does the author use to tell the story?
Summarize the story using the elements of plot. Include details to demonstrate your reading.
Mitch graduates college; promises to see Morrie again; lives his life and never speaks
Exposition to or thinks about Morrie. One night, Mitch sees Morrie on Night Line and hears of
his deadly illness. Mitch decides to call his old professor and visit him.
Mitch starts visiting Morrie every Tuesday. Throughout the visits, Morrie starts
sharing his life experiences. Mitch notices that Morrie is slowly fading off the face of
Rising Action
the Earth. It starts with waking, then his arms, and eventually his ability to wipe his
rear.
Morrie has been having trouble speaking and talking. He has started canceling his
meetings with other people so that he can save his energy for Mitch's visits. Morrie is
Climax
always lying in his recliner; never moving, and having difficulties eating. Mitch is
getting closer to passing away; Mitch and Morrie are both painfully aware.
Morrie doesn't move. He doesn't speak much. He cannot chew; he drinks mushy food
from a straw. Mitch doesn't want Morrie to die yet; he needs more time with him.
Falling Action Mitch has begun taping their Tuesday sessions. When Morrie gave Mitch one last
assignment to complete, Mitch chose their Tuesday conversations as good
memorabilia and assignment essay.
Morrie dies. Mitch completes his assignment before Morrie gets to read it. The day
that Morrie died, he was in his office surrounded by family members. They had all
Resolution stayed by his side for days. At one point, they all stepped outside to get some coffee;
Morrie chose this moment to pass. He didn't want his family to witness his death.
Mitch believe this is why Morrie died with no one in
Looking Back
Answer the following questions in complete sentences.
1. How does the trailer compare to the book? Is it an accurate representation of the story you read? Why
or why not?
2. What changes would you make to the book trailer? If you would not make any changes, please explain
why.
Theme
What is the message the author communicates through key events in the story?
Complete the following chart with details and a thoughtful analysis of how the events in the story influence
the theme.
Key Events - What happens? What do we learn about the What is the author’s message in
character in this event? Or how each set of events you have
does the event change the identified?
character?