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.