Death is an unavoidable aspect of the human experience, but it's a subject that many of us avoid discussing. Some argue, however, that by confronting our mortality, we can learn to live more fully and deeply appreciate life. In the book Tuesdays with Morrie, it follows two characters, Mitch and Morrie. The discussion of the answer after learning of death can be depicted in Tuesdays with Morrie with the lesson plans Morrie and Mitch discuss throughout the book. The question asked is, by what is revealed through research and the book, prove the truth in the following quote: "The truth is, Mitch," he said, "once you learn how to die, you learn how to live." (Albom, p. 82). In proving this quote, there are two viewpoints. One viewpoint states that …show more content…
This point of view may be observed in Tuesdays with Morrie, when Mitch and Morrie meet on Tuesdays for one of their sessions. One example is when Morrie discusses detachment with Mitch. Morrie puts it this way: "You know what the Buddhists say? Don’t cling to things, because everything is impermanent" (Albom, 2002, p. 103). Morrie basically tells Mitch that detaching means allowing someone to feel everything and then accepting the feelings for what they are. This example of Morrie teaching Mitch about detachment demonstrates a deeper knowledge of how death teaches that the feelings that tie individuals down are not permanent. From further research, Breitbart and his findings state that we, as human individuals, understand death more than any other species. We become less fearful of death as it becomes as normal to us as "like day and night, season's changing, leaves falling" (Breitbart, 2005, p. 57). Essentially, Breitbart argues that although we as humans experience death or near-death experiences, especially with diseases, and an example Breitbart uses is AIDS, we have the technology, medicine, and power to finally help those, for example, with AIDS be able to "live" with AIDS by using medicine (Breitbart, 2005, p. 57). In conclusion, as illustrated in Tuesdays with Morrie, learning about death can provide a deeper perspective …show more content…
This aspect in Tuesdays with Morrie is an important part to Morrie’s teachings. When Morrie teaches Mitch about family. In Morrie’s words he speaks about how a family's essence comprises more than just love; it also involves a sense of security and assurance that there is always someone around to look after and protect one another (Albom, 2002, p. 92). Human ties are crucial and, in the end, can mean the most when the time comes. Death in my family taught me the value of family bonds and the need to stick together through difficult times. When someone is dying, it is not money or materialistic possessions they are asking for; they are asking for family, important figures, and loved ones. In the continuing discussion about the importance of connections, an important aspect comes up when Morrie and Mitch discuss forgiveness. When Morrie speaks about forgiveness, he mentions a story about a friend who did not reach out to him when he was going through a hard time. The friend of Morrie’s tried to reach out and apologize, and Morrie never accepted his apology, but eventually the friend died of cancer. Morrie explains his feelings about this and states, "I feel so sad. I never got to see him. I never got to forgive. It pains me now so much" (Albom, 2002, p. 166). He continues about