Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom Symbols, Themes, and Motifs.
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Transcript of Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom Symbols, Themes, and Motifs.
Tuesdays with MorrieTuesdays with Morrieby Mitch Albomby Mitch Albom
Symbols, Themes, and
Motifs
What is a symbol?What is a symbol?when something has additional
meaning beyond its literal significance
When they represent something other than what they are, they are symbolizing something.
There are symbols all There are symbols all around us.around us.
What does this peace sign symbolize?
What does this recycling sign symbolize?
Find the symbols in the Find the symbols in the following videofollowing video ..\..\Education Videos\Symbolism.mp4
What does the hibiscus plant What does the hibiscus plant symbolize?symbolize?
Hibiscus Plant SymbolizesHibiscus Plant Symbolizesthe natural life cycle which
eventually leads to deathas Morrie's condition worsens
and he becomes more dependent on people, the pink petals wither and fall
What does the ‘Waves on What does the ‘Waves on the Ocean’ story the Ocean’ story
symbolize?symbolize?
‘‘Waves on the Ocean’ Waves on the Ocean’ symbolizessymbolizessmall wave symbolizes Morrie
(happy, loving life)small wave is happy until he realizes
all the waves are going to crash into shore and “die”
another wave comes by and says "you're part of the ocean" (something larger, bigger than himself)
Morrie has come to the realization that he is going to be part of something bigger in the afterlife
What does Morrie’s bed What does Morrie’s bed symbolize?symbolize?
Morrie’s bed symbolizesMorrie’s bed symbolizesdeath (to him)Morrie prefers to sit in his chair in
his study so he can be surrounded by books, pictures, and look out his window.
Morrie moves to his bed in his final days, symbolizing his surrender to death.
What is theme?What is theme?the central meaning or dominant
idea in a literary work
Don't follow popular Don't follow popular culture, develop your own culture, develop your own
values.values.
But what does this mean?
This means…This means…Most people dictate their choices and values on what popular culture focuses on (greed, violence, superficiality, etc.)
Morrie encourages Mitch and others to reject popular culture and focus on love, accepting others, forgiveness, and open communication.
How about this one?How about this one?
Love each other or die.
This means…This means…Love is the essence of every human and every person craves it. Without love in one's life, there is no point in living.
What is a motif?What is a motif?a recurring subject, theme, idea,
etc
Some motifs in Some motifs in MorrieMorrie……the mediafood
But why are they motifs?
The MediaThe MediaThe media is portrayed as evil.Throughout the story Mitch
references events going on in the media - OJ Simpson trial, celebrity gossip, murders, theft, crime.
The evil media serves to juxtapose (show the opposite of) Morrie's goodness (Mitch and others watch OJ Simpson verdict while Morrie is in the other room).
FoodFoodMitch brings Morrie his favorite
foods every Tuesday, even after he can no longer eat them.
It reminds Mitch of college days when he was passionate about life and Morrie was healthy.
Mitch feels it is the only gift he can give Morrie; he doesn't want to accept that Morrie is closer and closer to death.