This story is about Morrie and about the end of Morrie’s life. It is filled with his lessons and his relationships with those that he loved. However, as readers (and especially of the 20th Anniversary edition) we see the effects of this “class” on Mitch and Mitch’s understanding of his life. What are these effects? How does Mitch change over the course of the book? How is this story as much about him as it is about Morrie?

Teaching Suggestion: Mitch Albom has talked a lot about his life and his relationship with Morrie Schwartz. This story is one that is similarly personal and about him and his struggles with growing older and feeling like he hasn’t achieved enough. This discussion can easily be tied to Mitch’s growing understanding of the themes If the Culture Doesn’t Work, Don’t Buy It and Giving is Living.

Differentiation Suggestion: If this prompt requires students to write down examples, consider providing a graphic organizer in which students can compare and contrast Morrie and Mitch’s development over the course of the book rather than writing out a thesis-driven response. This approach could also help students who feel uncomfortable speaking before the class be more engaged with the discussion.