A STUDY OF MORRIE’S SELF-ACTUALIZATION
AS SEEN IN MITCH ALBOM’S TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE
A Thesis
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements to Obtain theSarjana PendidikanDegree
in English Language Education
By Lissa
Student number: 021214106
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY YOGYAKARTA
A STUDY OF MORRIE’S SELF-ACTUALIZATION
AS SEEN IN MITCH ALBOM’S TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE
A Thesis
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements to Obtain theSarjana PendidikanDegree
in English Language Education
By Lissa
Student number: 021214106
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY YOGYAKARTA
2007
Life is like a book.
The title page is your name,
the preface your introduction to the
world.
The pages are a daily record of your
efforts, trials, pleasures,
discouragements, and achievements.
Day by day your thoughts and acts
are being inscribed in your book of life.
Hour by hour the record is being made
that must stand for all time.
Once the word ‘finish’ must be written,
let it then be said of your book
that it is a record
of noble purpose, generous service,
and
work well done.
-
Grenville
And we know that in all things God works
for the good of those who love Him, who
have been called according to His purpose
(Romans 8:28, NIV)
I DEDICATE THIS THESIS TO:
MY SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST
&
MY BELOVED FAMILY
ACKNOWLEDMENTS
This thesis would not be finished without the help of others. I believe each of them who has helped and supported me has been sent by God. Hence, my most tremendous gratitude is addressed toJesus Christ, my source of love, joy, strength, and my all in all. I thank Him for every single thing I have and every single moment I experience. He always stands beside me and holds me tight every time I feel restless. He shows me what the real unconditional love is. I wish to walk the path of life in His embrace forever and ever.
I am so deeply indebted to my major sponsor,Drs. L. Bambang Hendarto Y., M.Hum.that I wish to thank him for his willingness to guide me in finishing my thesis by sharing his time to read, to check, to correct, and to criticize it. I also thank him for his wonderful patience, advice, and kindness as well. There are not enough words to tell how much I thank him. My sincerest gratitude goes toSr. Maureen, FCJ, for her kindness and willingness to check and correct my grammar. I really appreciate her help.
I would like also to address my gratitude to all of my lecturers who have taught and provided me with knowledge and skills to prepare me for the working world. My earnest appreciation also goes toMs. Lanny Anggawatifor her inspiring lessons in SPD’s class. She has shown me great qualitities of a ‘teacher’. Moreover, I would like to thankMbakDanik and Mbak Tarifor helping me to deal with the administrative stuffs.
My deepest gratitude goes tomy beloved family. I am greatly indebted tomy MomandDadfor loving and caring for me. I would like also to address my countless thanks to my Big Bro who has supported me financially during my study in
Yogyakarta. He is the best brother ever. Tomy only sister,my second brother,my two little brothers, I thank them for always supporting, loving, and caring for me. I am proud to be part of this big family. I love them all.
I wish to thank my charming cousin,Mimi, for always telling me not to give up, for seeing me as a model, and for her persistence which inspires me a lot. I am so thankful to haveWexas my best friend. I thank her for showing me the real friend in deed and in need. I also thankNafor keep telling me to finish my thesis soon with her typical-straightforward style which may make some people feel offended, but for me her ‘harsh’ words are motivating. My next gratitude also goes to my friends in SunSix boarding house:MbakSanQ,Citra,Te-Goy,MbakPic,Ade,Funny, andNcizfor every moment we have shared together and to my three beautiful sisters in my new boarding house,Ms. Happy, Ms. Neny,andMondee.I also thankIanfor willing to read and post me some questions related to my thesis. My next appreciation goes to
my colleagues in CIC. I am really happy working with them.
I would like to thank my close friends with whom I have spent my days in campus:Ucil, Sasha, Echie, Ita, Vivi, and Mawar, especially toWieda, my partner to share the progress of my thesis. She always encouraged me when I did no progress on my thesis. She deserves my sincere thanks. I also thank all of myPBI ‘02 pals.I am glad being part of this team.
I wish also to send my gratitude to my KTB’s friends:Mbak Othie as the leader,Connie Capunk, Corry-Morry, Tatatouile,andAmsal-Pancasila. I thank them for their motivating words, support, and prayers. I address my huge thanks also to my beloved sister,K’Darma,for her immense care, support, and prayers. Next, I am also thankful toYoelfor his sincere care, support, smses, calls, and every day prayer as well. My endless gratitute goes to all of theSunday School teachers of
GKI Gejayan. I thank them for their boundless support and friendship we have shared in the ministry. I am really grateful to be part of this wonderful ministry.
My special gratitude goes to‘Someone’who has recently colored my days. I thank him for the small talks, discussions, laughter, and his greatly contagious spirit in serving Jesus. Those moments we shared together mean something to me. We might not be able to have them back, and therefore, I have written them in my heart as sweet memories in my symphony of life.
The last but not least, my appreciation goes to all people who have not been mentioned above but have supported me. I thank them for their care and prayers. I will not try to list each of them because I am afraid I will miss a name. Let God list their names because He is the only One who will not fail in doing so. May God be with them all, always.
Lissa
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE ... i
PAGE OF APPROVAL ...ii
PAGE OF BOARD OF EXAMINERS...iii
PAGE OF STATEMENT OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY ... iv
PAGE OF LIFE MOTTO... v A. Background of the Study ... 1
B. Problem Formulation... 4
C. Objectives of the Study... 5
D. Benefits of the Study ... 5
E. Definition of Terms ... 6
CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE A. Review of Related Theories... 8
1. Character ... 8
a. Definition ... 8
b. Kinds of Character ... 9
2. Characterization... 10
a. Definition ... 10
b. Ways of Characterization ... 10
3. Critical Approach ... 12
4. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs... 14
a. Physiological Needs ... 14
b. Safety Needs ... 14
c. Belonging and Love Needs ... 14
d. Esteem Needs ... 15
e. Self-Actualization ... 15
1) Definition of Self-Actualization ... 15
2) Characteristics of Self-Actualization ... 16
CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS
A. The Characterization of Morrie Schwartz ... 27
1. Weak and Dying ... 28
2. Tough ... 31
3. Straightforward ... 33
4. Wise ... 35
5. Affectionate ... 37
B. The Self-Actualization of Morrie Schwartz... 38
1. In Facing His Disease ... 39
2. In Talking to Mitch ... 50
3. In His Family ……. ... …..56
4. In the Society …….. ... 60
CHAPTER V CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS A. Conclusions ... 68
1. Morrie’s Characterization 68 2. Morrie’s Self-Actualization ... 69
B. Suggestions ... 71
1. Suggestions for Future Researchers... 71
2. Suggestion for Teaching Reading... 71
REFERENCES... 74
APPENDICES Appendix 1 Summary of Tuesdays with Morrie...(1)
Appendix 2 The Biography of Mitch Albom ...(6)
Appendix 3 Lesson Plan for Teaching Reading ...(9)
Appendix 4 Questions to Teach Reading ...(10)
ABSTRACT
Lissa. 2007. A Study of Morrie’s Self-Actualization as Seen in Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie.Yogyakarta: English Language Education Study Program, Department of Language and Arts Education, Faculty of Teachers Training and Education, Sanata Dharma University.
This study discusses Mitch Albom’s novel entitled Tuesdays with Morrie. The novel tells about the life of Morrie Schwartz who is dying because of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Scelerosis), a disease known also as Lou Gehrig’s disease. This study discusses the main character’s self-actualization.
There are two problems formulated in this study related to the topic disscussed: (1) How is Morrie characterized in Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie? (2). How is Morrie’s self-actualization revealed in Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie?
To answer the problems formulated, the psychological approach is applied since this study deals with a psychological issue on self-actualization. This is library research. There are two sources used, namely primary and secondary. The primary source is the novel itself, Tuesdays with Morrie. The secondary sources are books on psychology, literature, and internet sources.
Based on the analysis, Morrie is characterized as a weak and dying man who suffers from ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), a deadly disease also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Morrie is also portrayed as a tough, staightforward, wise, and affectionate man. From the analysis, Morrie is revealed as a self-actualizing person. He is able to self-actualize himself to the sort of person he really is. He posseses characteristics of self-actualizing people, which are an efficient perception of reality, a general acceptance of nature, others and oneself, spontaneity, simplicity, and naturalness, a focus on problems outside themselves, a need for privacy and independence, autonomous functioning, a continued freshness of appreciation, mystical, or “peak” experiences, social interest, interpersonal relations, a democratic character structure, discrimination between means and ends, between good and evil, an unhostile sense of humor; creativeness, and resistance to enculturation. These characteristics are reflected in his ways of living by how he faces his disease, in his conversations and discussions with Mitch, in his family, and in the society.
This thesis provides some suggestions for future researchers who are interested in conducting another study of the novel. They may analyze Morrie’s positivism using the psychological approach. In addition, a study on Morrie’s culture that he creates compared to the popular culture in his society would also be interesting to discuss. This study, moreover, provides a suggestion to implement the novel to teach reading subject to the second semester students of English Education Study Program.
ABSTRAK
Lissa. 2007. A Study of Morrie’s Self-Actualization as Seen in Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie. Yogyakarta: Program studi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, Jurusan pendidikan bahasa dan Seni, Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan, Universitas Sanata Dharma.
Studi ini membahas sebuah novel yang berjudul Tuesdays with Morrie karya Mitch Albom. Novel ini bercerita tentang kehidupan Morrie Schwatz yang sedang sekarat karena menderita penyakit ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Scelerosis), sebuah penyakit yang juga dikenal dengan penyakit Lou Gehrig. Studi ini membahas aktualisasi-diri dari tokoh utama novel ini.
Ada dua pokok permasalahan dalam studi ini yang berhubungan dengan topik yang dibahas: (1) Bagaimana Morrie dikarakterisasikan dalam novel Tuesdays with Morrie karya Mitch Albom? (2) Bagaimana aktualisasi diri Morrie diungkapkan dalam novel Tuesdays with Morrie karya Mitch Albom?
Untuk menjawab pokok permasalahan tersebut, pendekatan psikologi digunakan karena studi ini berhubungan dengan topik psikologi tentang aktualisasi-diri. Studi ini adalah studi pustaka. Ada dua sumber yang digunakan, yaitu sumber utama dan sumber kedua. Sumber utama adalah novel Tuesdays with Morrie itu sendiri dan sumber kedua adalah buku-buku tentang psikologi dan literatur, serta sumber dari internet.
Berdasarkan hasil analisa, Morrie dikarakterisasikan sebagai laki-laki yang lemah dan sedang sekarat karena menderita penyakit ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), suatu penyakit yang mematikan dan juga dikenal dengan penyakit Lou Gehrig. Morrie juda dideskripsikan sebagai laki-laki yang tegar,terus terang, bijaksana, dan penyayang. Dari hasil analisa, Morrie dinyatakan sebagai seorang yang mengaktualisasi dirinya. Dia dapat mengaktualisasi dirinya sebagai seorang yang menjadi dirinya sendiri. Dia memiliki ciri-ciri orang yang mengaktualisasi diri, diantaranya adalah persepsi yang efisien tentang realitas, penerimaan umum tentang alam, sesama, dan diri sendiri, spontanitas, kesederhanaan, dan sikap yang alami atau apa adanya, fokus akan masalah di luar dirinya sendiri, kebutuhan akan kebebasan pribadi dan kemandirian, kepuasan yang lahir dari diri sendiri, sikap selalu bersyukur, pengalaman mistik atau puncak, minat sosial, hubungan dengan sesama, demokratis tanpa memandang superioritas, pembedaan yang jelas antara sarana untuk mencapai tujuan dengan tujuan itu sendiri, antara hal yang baik dan tidak, selera humor yang tidak menyakiti orang lain, kreativitas, dan resistensi terhadap enkulturasi. Ciri-ciri tesebut tercermin dalam kehidupan Morrie dalam dia menghadapi penyakit yang dideritanya, dalam percakapannya dengan Mitch, dalam keluarganya, dan dalam masyarakat.
Skripsi ini memberikan beberapa saran untuk peneliti-peneliti lain yang tertarik membahas studi lain dalam novel ini. Mereka dapat menganalisa positivisme Morrie dengan menggunakan pendekatan psikologi. Di samping itu, studi komparasi antara budaya Morrie yang dibangunnya dengan budaya populer di masyarakatnya juga menarik untuk dibahas. Studi ini juga memberikan saran untuk mengimplementasikan novel ini untuk mengajar mata kuliah Membaca untuk mahasiswa PBI semester dua.
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
This chapter is divided into five sections. The first one is background in which I mention the reasons for choosing the novel. The second section is problem formulations which contain the questions to be answered in this study. The third section is objectives of the study which state the goals. The fourth is benefits of the study which elaborate some benefits obtained and expected from this study. The last is definition of terms which clarifies some terms related to this study in order to avoid misinterpretations.
A. Background of the Study
Human beings are said to be the highest and the most special beings in comparison to other creatures. Human beings have the ability to differentiate what is good or bad. Human beings have the highest intelligence, and therefore possess critical thinking. Human beings also have the ability to grow, not only physically as animals, but also psychologically.
By having these qualities, human beings always question. When a question comes up, the process of development begins. When an answer is found, another question comes. It is the nature of human beings to question continuously in order to find truths. Therefore, human beings are said to be the searchers of truth.
To make life better, or to reach a fully-developed life, many people always try to search for the essence of living. Some say that wealth, health, and fame are the answers since it is believed that they will make life better. However, often this
perception is far from the truth. There are numerous numbers of wealthy, healthy, and successful people who seem to have an ideal life, yet they feel a great dissatisfaction with living.
A Russian novelist, Leo Tolstoy, who was very successful and famous, can be considered as a good example. He possessed what most people dream of, such as loving family, wealth, health, fame, and success. However, he suffered from severe depression. In a book entitled My Confession, he states that he is afraid of life and does not know what he wants in life. He has a good wife who loves him and whom he loves, good children and a large property. However, he notes how he is tempted to commit suicide by hanging himself from the rafters or shooting his head with a gun. He asks dramatically, “Why should I live? Why should I do anything?” (qtd. in James 159-161).
Leo Tolstoy is only one of millions of people who live in despair. Stoa (a famous philosopher) and Yukio Mishima (a famous Japanese writer) are also those who failed to bear the despairs of life, and then finally ended their life by committing suicide. Perhaps, we might have seen people around us who seem to possess an ideal life, yet they feel unhappy and desperate in living. Schultz states that:
We may live comfortably, have a secure job, a warm and loving family, be free of worry, and yet not know any great joy, any overwhelming enthusiasm, any intense feeling of dedication or commitment. Obviously, all is not well-our lives are not as complete as they could be, in spite of the surface experience (3).
proposes a model of healthy personality, to which he calls self-actualization. According to Maslow, self-actualization is “the tendency to become more and more what one uniquely is, to become everything that one is capable of becoming. Also, to self-actualize is to accept one’s own real nature for what it is” (qtd. in Kalish 34). A self-actualizing person is a person who realizes, grows, and develops to what and who he/she is capable of becoming. He or she presents himself or herself as a unique human being.
One of the literary works which portrays the issue of self-actualization is Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie. The story tells about Morrie Schwartz, a professor at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts who always teaches his students to be fully human. One of his students is Mitch Albom who loves, adores, and admires him. Mitch takes all subjects in which Morrie is in charge of. Soon, Morrie and Mitch build a strong ‘friendship’. On his graduation day, Mitch promises to keep in touch with his beloved professor. However, he never keeps his promise not before he unintentionally catches his professor figure on “Nightline Show”, a very popular show with Ted Koppel as the host. At that very moment, Mitch becomes speechless knowing why his former professor is on the show.
Morrie suffers from ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), a fatal neuromuscular disease. It is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, taken from a famous baseball player who died from this disease. One of the fatal results is paralysis because of the progressive muscle debilitation.
calls ‘The Meaning of Life’ with Mitch as the only student. Therefore, in each class, there is a lesson about life, such as regret, death, family, emotions, money, marriage, forgiveness, etc.
Having read the story, I found out that Morrie’s self-actualization is interesting to analyze. Although he is left by his mother since he was a child and then lives with an unaffectionate father, he grows to be very affectionate. He devotes himself as a loving teacher since he truly avoids jobs in which exploit others. According to Maslow, self actualizing persons possess strong and deep feelings of empathy and affection for all human beings, as well as a desire to help humanity. They are also committed to their work with a sense of high dedication (qtd. in Schultz 71).
Considering that the issue of self-actualization is worth discussing, I would like to analyze how Morrie reveals his self-actualization which is reflected in his ways of living. I would analyze not only his self actualization he reveals in each talk with Mitch on Tuesdays, but also his self-actualization from his past life. Hopefully this study will be beneficial for us as a reflection to grow as a self-actualizing person.
B. Problem Formulation
There are two problem formulations which become the focus of this study. They are formulated as follows:
1. How is Morrie characterized in Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie?
C. Objectives of the Study
This study is intended to answer the problem formulations presented above. Firstly, I would like to find out how Morrie is characterized in the novel. This would help me to answer the second problem formulation. Therefore, after knowing Morrie’s characteristics, I would like to reveal Morrie’s self-actualization.
D. Benefits of the Study
There are some benefits from this study. Firstly, I can gain more knowledge on literature and psychology by conducting this study. This study can broaden my knowledge on some theories of literature, and a give deeper understanding as well. Since this study applies psychological approach, I can understand more about psychology, especially about self-actualization. Morrie Schwartz, who becomes the focus of this study, is revealed as a self-actualizing person. Hence, I can learn a lot by seeing Morrie as a positive model.
Hopefully, this study will also be beneficial for future researchers who are interested in conducting a study on self-actualization for they may use this study as a reference. Finally, I hope that this study will be beneficial to the readers so that they can gain knowledge on how to be a self-actualizing person as modeled by Morrie.
E. Definition of Terms
1. Character
According to Stanton (17), there are two ways in which the term character is generally used. Firstly, character is “the individuals who appear in the story”. Secondly, the term character also refers to “the mixture of interests, desires, emotions, and moral principles that makes up each of these individuals”. While Abram defines the term character as “the person presented in a dramatic or narrative work, who is interpreted by the reader as being endowed with moral and dispositional quality that is expressed in what he says -the dialogue- and by what he does –the action” (20). In other words, a character is a person who plays a role in a story. This person expresses interests, desires, emotions, and moral principles through what he says and what he does.
2. Characterization
According to Murphy (161), characterization is the way used by an author in an attempt to make his or her characters in a story understandable to and come alive for the readers. In this study, characterization refers to the way of how an author tries to develop his or her characters in a story so that they become alive for the readers.
3. Self-Actualization
CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
This chapter is divided into three sections, namely review of related theories, criticism, and theoretical framework. The review of related theories consists of theory of character, theory of characterization, theory of critical approach, and theory of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. These theories are used to help me analyze the topic of this study. In criticism, I state some critics’ views towards the author himself and his works. At last, in theoretical framework, I explain how the theories elaborated are used in this study.
A. Review of Related Theories
This section is divided into four parts. The first part is theory of character which discusses the definition and kinds of character. The second part is theory of characterization which explains about the definition and ways of characterization. The next part is theory of critical approach which elaborates some critical approaches used to analyze literary works. The final one is the theory of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs which discusses the five basic needs including the detailed elaboration of the theory of self-actualization.
1. Character
a. Definition
According to Stanton (17), there are two ways in which the term character is generally used. Firstly, character is “the individuals who appear in the story”. Secondly, the term character also refers to “the mixture of interests, desires, emotions, and moral principles that makes up each of these individuals”. While Abram (20)
defines the term character as “the person presented in a dramatic or narrative work, who is interpreted by the reader as being endowed with moral and dispositional quality that is expressed in what he says -the dialogue- and by what he does –the action”. In other words, a character is a person who plays a role in a story. This person expresses his or her interests, desires, emotions, and moral principles through what he says and what he does.
b. Kinds of Character
Foster (18) divides character into two kinds, flat and round. A flat character has only one outstanding trait or feature. He or she can be described in a single phrase or sentence and tends to remain the same in the story. In contrast, a round character is presented with more facets with greater depth and more details. He or she is complex in temperament and motivation. Therefore, a round character is difficult to describe as like a person in real life. Moreover, he or she has the ability to surprise the readers. According to Perine (71), a character is divided into two kinds. The first one is static character who does not encounter changes from the beginning up to the end of a story. He or she tends to remain the same with almost no changes in the characteristics. The second character proposed by Perine is dynamic character. This character undergoes changes in his/her personalities and outlooks from the beginning up to the end of the story. It is also called a developing character since this character can develop for better or worse personalities. His/her experiences appear as the process of the character’s dynamical changing.
or she holds the central point of the whole story. On the contrary, a secondary character is less complex than the major character. His or her way in responding to experiences is also more limited compared to the major character. Consequently, his or her performances are less significant.
Major and minor characters are the two kinds stated by Milligan (155). A major character appears more frequently in comparison to the other characters in the story. Thus, he or she becomes the focus and plays an important role in revealing the theme of the story. In short, the central experience lies in the major character. Whereas, a minor character appears less frequently in the story. He or she plays a less important and significant role in the story.
2. Characterization
a. Definition
According to Murphy (161), characterization is the way used by an author in attempt to make his or her characters in a story understandable to and come alive for the readers. The theory of characterization is important in helping me understand how the main character, who becomes the focus of this study, is portrayed in the novel.
b. Ways of Characterization
Murphy (161-173) proposes nine possible ways in which an author attempts to portray the characters’ characteristics. They are presented as follows:
1) Personal description
know the characteristics of this character. The author describes what is visible in detail.
2) Characters as seen by others
An author can describe a character through other characters who appear in the story. The reader gets a reflected image from how others see and think about the character.
3) Speech
An author can also present a person’s characteristics through what the person says. Whenever he or she speaks, the readers can get some clues on what sort of person he or she is.
4) Past life
An author can describe a character from the author’s direct comments, the character’s thoughts and conversations, or from the medium of another character about the character’s past life. The information about what the character experienced in the past gives clues to the readers in understanding more on the character. 5) Conversation of others
What others say in their conversations about a person give clues to the readers to know the person’s character. So, the author uses what people say about the character to describe the character.
6) Reactions
How a person reacts in different situations and events also gives clues to the readers in understanding the characteristics of the person.
7) Direct comments
8) Thoughts
An author enables the readers to know a person’s characteristics by what the person is thinking about. Here, the author knows what different people are thinking. In short, the author describes the character by giving direct knowledge of what he or she is thinking.
9) Mannerism
By letting the readers know about a person’s habits or manners, an author can reveal the person’s characteristics.
3. Critical Approach
To understand the nature, function, and positive value of literary works, a critical approach is needed. According to Rohberger and Woods Jr. (3-9), there are five critical approaches, namely the formalist approach, biographical approach, sociocultural-historical approach, mythopoeic approach, and psychological approach. The details of each approach are discussed as follows:
a. The Formalist Approach
This approach emphasizes the total integrity of the literary object. It concentrates almost on its aesthetic value by demonstrating the harmonious involvement of all the parts to the whole and by pointing out how meaning is derived from structure and how matters of technique determine structure. In short, this approach is merely concerned with the literary object and its aesthetic meanings. b. The Biographical Approach
writings. The biographical material provides useful facts about the author which helps the readers to have a better understanding and appreciation towards the literary object. c. The Sociocultural-Historical Approach
This approach is concerned mainly with the social background in which a work of literary was created. The proponents of this approach say that the only way to locate the real work is in reference to the civilization that produced it. In short, before one can understand well a work of literature, he/she has to know the social, cultural, and historical aspects of the literary work because these aspects are inseparable from the literary object.
d. Mythopoeic Approach
This approach emphasizes the universal recurrent patterns of human thought. It is believed that these patterns are found in ancient myths and folk rites which are so basic to human thought and have meaning for all humans.
e. Psychological Approach
This approach believes that one’s imagination, capacity for creation, and complexity of thoughts and behaviors are expressed through symbolic words, thoughts and actions. These symbols are common to all humans in which can be interpreted in light of the individual’s experience. Thus, this approach applies the theory of psychology in understanding a literary object.
4. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
at least partially satisfied. The brief explanation of the four lower needs and the detailed elaboration of self-actualization are presented as follows:
a. Physiological Needs
Physiological needs involve the need for food, water, air, sleep, etc. the fulfillment of these needs are essential for survival.
b. Safety Needs
Security, stability, protection, order, and freedom from fear and anxiety are the examples of the safety needs. We add to our savings account at the bank, buy insurance, and remain in safe, secure jobs so as not to lose the fringe benefits. c. Belonging and Love Needs
We satisfy our love needs by establishing an intimate, caring relationship with another person, or with people in general, and in these relationships it is just as important to give love as to receive it.
According to Maslow, belonging and love needs are difficult to be satisfied in this modern world in which people move a lot. We no longer stay permanently in one place. We change houses, neighborhood, cities, countries, or even spouses. We are not long enough in one place to develop a sense of belonging.
d. Esteem Needs
Since this study deals with self-actualization, the detailed elaboration will be presented as follows:
1) Definition of Self-Actualization
Abraham Maslow states that self-actualization is “the tendency to become more and more what one uniquely is, to become everything that one is capable of becoming. Also, to self-actualize is to accept one’s own real nature for what it is” (qtd. in Kalish 34). It is “the fulfillment of all our qualities and capacities” (qtd. in Schultz 64).
According to Carl Rogers, “Self-actualization is the process of becoming oneself, of developing one’s unique psychological characteristics and potentialities” (qtd. in Schultz 28). So, self-actualization refers to the process of making use of all one’s abilities, of fulfilling one’s qualities and capacities, and of becoming what one has the potential to become.
2) Characteristics of Self-Actualization
Besides the definition and general points presented above, Maslow elaborates a number of specific characteristics of self-actualizing people (qtd. in Schultz 69-68). They are as follows:
a) An efficient perception of reality
Self-actualizing people have an objective perception of reality. They see the world as it is, not as they want or need it to be. They do not judge an object based on what others think, but based on their own judgment and perception without biases and prejudgments. This gives them a better ability to make logical reasons and correct conclusions.
Self-actualizing people possess a general acceptance of nature, others, and oneself. Even though they have weaknesses and imperfections, they are not shameful about them. They do not complain or worry about their shortcomings and strengths. They accept their nature as it is. Moreover, they feel relaxed and comfortable with their natures. Hence, they do not use either masks or social roles to hide themselves behind.
However, they do feel guilty and shameful, or even regretful about some aspects of their behaviors and shortcomings in which this could be improved and changed, such as laziness, prejudice, jealousy, thoughtlessness, or envy. This is mainly because these weaknesses are destructive which would lead to the inhibition of human growth.
c) Spontaneity, simplicity, and naturalness
Self-actualizing people do not pretend or hide their feelings or emotions. They express them in open and direct ways instead. Therefore, they behave simply, naturally, and spontaneously in accordance with their nature.
d) A focus on problems outside themselves
Self-actualizing people are committed to their work. Their work is seen as a mission to which they totally devote their energy. According to Maslow if this sense of devotion and dedication is absent, it is impossible for someone to become self-actualizing.
It also brings them a great satisfaction. Moreover, they work very hard and consider their work as their play. Therefore, very often self-actualizing people continue doing their work although they do not really need the income from it.
e) A need for privacy and independence
Self-actualizing people have a strong need for privacy and independence. It means that they do not depend on others to make up their own minds, reach their own decisions and exercise their own motivation and discipline.
f) Autonomous Functioning
Since self-actualizing people are independent, they have the ability to function autonomously in social and physical environments. Their satisfactions do not depend on others, but on their own potentialities. Therefore, when they face problems or experience crises and misfortunes, they are able to remain calm. However, for less healthy people these things may be considered catastrophes.
g) A continued freshness of appreciation
Self-actualizing people have the ability to continuously appreciate certain experiences with a fresh sense of pleasure, awe, and wonder even though they have experienced them repeatedly, such as everyday activities in which less healthy persons might not even notice. For self-actualizing people, a beautiful sunset may be seen as if it is their first experience although they see it almost every day. Hence, they are always thankful for what they have and experience and take little for granted. h) Mystical, or “peak”, experiences
Self-actualizing people continually experience mystical, or ‘peak’ experiences. They are blissful and excited about being involved in any activities, working, enjoying music, or simply watching a beautiful sunset.
Self-actualizing people possess a great social interest in helping humanity. They have strong and profound feelings of empathy, love and affection for all human beings. They consider themselves as members of a single family, the human race. As a result, they possess a feeling of brotherhood or sisterhood with the other members of the family.
j) Interpersonal Relations
Self-actualizing people have strong relationships with others. They place love and deep friendship in relating to others. However, they do not like those who are hypercritical, pretentious or arrogant. They can be harsh and even cruel toward them. Certainly, this does not lessen their compassion and love for humanity in general because this occasional attitude happens only toward some individuals.
k) A democratic character structure
Self-actualizing people tolerate and accept all people of different social class, educational level, political or religious background, race or color. They do not feel superior in their relations with others, even those who have a lower educational level and intelligence. They are ready to learn from anyone who can teach them something. l) Discrimination between means and ends, between good and evil
Self-actualizing people frequently consider a means, which is a way of achieving a goal, as an end in certain activities and experiences. For self-actualizing people, a means can become an end as they enjoy ‘doing’ those activities as much as or more than achieving the goal. Thus, the enjoyment and satisfaction of doing this make the means become the end.
distinguishing between good and evil is often confusing, but for self actualizing persons they can define well ethical and moral standards.
m) An unhostile sense of humor
Self-actualizing people have an unhostile sense of humor. It means that it never hurts anybody else. “It is often instructive, designed to make a point as well as produce a laugh”. It is also spontaneous without planning and therefore others might only react in a smile and a nod of understanding instead of in loud laughter.
n) Creativeness
For self-actualizing persons, being creative is not always in terms of producing or creating an artistic thing, such as abstract painting. Therefore creativeness here is defined as “an attitude, an expression of psychological health concered with the way of how we perceive and react to the world than with finished products of an artistic nature”. As a result, anyone in any occupation can have and express creativeness. o) Resistance to enculturation
Self-actualizing persons are well enough “to resist social pressures to think or act in certain ways”. However, this does not infer that they are totally rebellious against the culture or deliberately violate social rules in demonstrating independence. They will openly challenge the rules and norms of society if an issue raises a moral or ethical matter.
Therefore, they are saintly people with no shortcomings. What differentiates them from those who are less healthy is that they experience less frequently these imperfections.
B. Criticism
In this part, I elaborate some criticisms about the author himself and the novel being analyzed in this study, Tuesdays with Morrie. The criticisms are mostly obtained from the Internet since it is difficult to find the criticisms from books or other references. The criticisms help me to understand more on the author and his work, and therefore help me to analyze the novel profoundly.
<http://www.amazon.com/Tuesdays-Morrie-Young-Greatest-Lesson>. It means that the novel can be used as a reflection of how one lives his or her life.
These criticisms are only some of many positive comments on the novel since most of the readers give praises after reading it. In conclusion, Tuesday with Morrie is inspiring and has changed the attitude of millions.
C. Theoretical Framework
In this study, I apply some theories to support my analysis, namely theory of character, theory of characterization, theory of critical approach, and theory of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs which includes theory of self-actualization. These theories are applied to help me answer the two problems formulated.
The theory of character is applied to help me differentiate whether Morrie is a flat or round character, a static or dynamic character, etc. Meanwhile, the theory of characterization is used to reveal the characteristics of Morrie. These theories are important in answering the first problem formulation in which to know what sort of person Morrie is.
CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
This chapter consists of three parts. The first is subject matter which explains about the novel used in this study. The second is approach to the study which elaborates the relevant approach applied in this study. The last is procedures which mention the steps taken in conducting this study.
A. Subject Matter
The subject matter of this study is a novel entitled Tuesdays with Morrie written by Mitch Albom as the primary source. It was first published in 1997. It contains 192 pages and is divided into 27 chapters. Tuesdays with Morrie has been translated in 31 languages in 36 countries. It is one of the bestsellers which has changed millions of lives. This novel is considered as a biographical novel because it is written based on the life of Morrie Schwartz, the author’s professor at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts whom he adored, admired, and loved.
The story tells about Morrie Schwartz who is an affectionate and wise teacher who always teaches his students being fully human. One of his students is Mitch Albom who loves, adores, and admires him. Mitch takes all subjects in which Morrie is in charge of. Soon, Morrie and Mitch build a strong ‘friendship’. On his graduation day, Mitch promises to keep in touch with his beloved professor. However, he never keeps his promise not before he unintentionally catches his professor figure on “Nightline Show”, a very popular show with Ted Koppel as the host. At that very
moment, Mitch becomes speechless knowing why his former professor is on the show.
Knowing that the professor is dying, Mitch visits him for the first time after sixteen years since his graduation day. From that day on, he routinely visits his professor on Tuesdays as he always did when he was a student. Mitch and Morrie consider themselves Tuesday People. In each visit, or what both call ‘class’, there is a lesson about life, such as regret, death, family, emotions, money, marriage, forgiveness, etc.
B. Approach of the Study
According to Rohberger and Woods Jr. (3-9), the psychological approach deals with one’s imagination, creativity, thought, and behaviour. This approach applies the theory of psychology in understanding the nature of literary works. Since this study is concerned with the psychological development of one’s personality, i.e. self-actualization, the psychological approach is chosen.
C. Procedures
This study was conducted by library research. Mostly I read and took notes from books, encyclopedia, or any references related to the topic discussed in this study including the references from the internet.
There were some steps taken in conducting this research. Firstly, I read the novel, which is used as the primary source, several times to understand what the whole story was about. From the first reading, my focus was drawn to the main character, Morrie. I found that Morrie possessed some special characteristics of a self-actualizing person. Based on this central character, two problems were formulated. The first is how Morrie’s characteristics are described and how he is revealed to be a self-actualizing person.
After the problems were formulated, I searched and collected some theories from books, encyclopedia, and other references related to this study, including the references from the internet. The theories obtained were used as the secondary sources to support my analysis.
Having read the theories needed, I then focused my analysis on how Morrie is depicted from the personal descriptions about him, what others say about him, how his past life tells about his characteristics, etc. I took notes together with the quotations from the novel. This step was done to answer the first problem formulation.
CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS
This chapter contains the detail explanations of the problem formulations presented in the first chapter. It is divided into two sections. In the first section, I discuss how Morrie is characterized in the novel. While in the second section, I elaborate how Morrie’s self-actualization is revealed in the novel. The theories presented in the second chapter are applied to help me in the analysis.
A. The Characterization of Morrie Schwartz
Characters play an essential role in a novel. Without characters, it would be very difficult, or impossible, to convey the message of the novel to readers, to perform the conflicts, or to create a story. Therefore, it is impossible not to have characters in a novel.
There are some types of character. According to Henkle (88), a character is divided into two kinds, namely major and secondary characters. The first one is the most significant, important, and complex. This character, usually, gets the fullest attention from the readers as he or she holds the key point of the whole story. On the other hand, a secondary character is less significant and complex than the major character. His or her responses to experiences are more limited. Based on this theory, Morrie is categorized as the major character since the readers’ attention is fully drawn to him. He holds the central point of the whole story as well.
Foster (18) proposes another classification of character. He divides character into two kinds as well. They are flat and round characters. A flat character has only
one specific trait or feature. This character tends to stay the same in the whole story, and therefore can be described in a single phase or sentence. On the contrary, a round character is presented with more traits in details. Moreover, he or she is complex and is able to bring surprises to the readers. Morrie, according to this theory, is characterized as a round character because he has many traits and is presented in deep and detailed traits. He is also able to surprise the readers with his deep thoughts and wisdom.
To present Morrie’s characteristics in detail, the theory of characterization proposed by Murphy (161-173) is applied. There are nine ways in total, namely personal description, characters as seen by others, speech, past life, conversation of others, reactions, direct comments, thoughts, and mannerism. From these nine ways, however, the author only makes use of personal description, characters as seen by others, speech, past life, reactions, direct comments, and mannerism in order to characterize Morrie. The detailed elaborations of Morrie’s characteristics are presented as follows:
1. Weak and Dying
Finally, on a hot, humid day in August 1994, Morrie and his wife Charlotte went to the neurologist’s office, and he asked them to sit before he broke the news. Morrie had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Lou Gehrig’s disease, a brutal, unforgiving illness of the neurological system.
There was no known cure. “How did I get it?” Morrie asked. Nobody knew.
“Is it terminal?” Yes.
“So I’m going to die?”
Yes, you are, the doctor said. I’m very sorry (7).
One of the fatal results of Morrie’s disease is paralysis because of the progressive muscle debilitation. His doctor predicts he will survive for the next two years, but Morrie knows he has less time.
ALS is like a lit candle: it melts your nerves and leaves your body a pile of wax. Often it begins with the legs and works its way up. You lose control of your thigh muscles, so that you cannot support yourself standing. You lose control of your trunk muscles, so that you cannot sit up straight. By the end, if you are still alive, you are breathing through a tube in a hole in your throat, while your soul, perfectly awake, is imprisoned inside a limp husk, perhaps able to blink, or cluck a tongue, like something from a science fiction movie, the man frozen inside his own flesh. This take no more than five years from the day you contract the disease.
Morrie knew it was less (9-10).
On one occasion, Morrie shows Mitch how his body gradually is weakening. He asks Mitch to do an A test by taking a deep breath, and then exhaling it while counting as many numbers as possible before taking another breath. Mitch is able to reach seventy, while Morries only eighteen.
He stopped, gasping for air.
“When the doctor first asked me to do this, I could reach twenty three. Now it’s eighteen.”
He closed his eyes, shook his head. “My tank is almost empty” (37). As Mitch observes his former professor progression of the disease, he realizes that Morrie is running out of time.
Holding him like that moved me in a way I cannot describe, except to say I felt the seeds of death inside his shriveling fame, and as I laid him in his chair, adjusting his head on the pillows, I had the coldest realization that our time was running out (59).
When Morrie has the second interview with Ted Koppel, he wears a long sleeved blue shirt because he always feels cold even if it is ninety degrees outside (69). This shows that his body is getting weak. Moreover, when he speaks he is not able to gesture freely. He also has problem pronouncing certain words. This indicates that very soon he will lose his voice.
Based on Morrie’s speech, Morrie’s personal description, the author’s direct comments, and the character as seen by others, Morrie is characterized as weak and dying because of ALS, a no-known-cure disease.
2. Tough
Being tough is another characteristic Morrie possesses. Although he suffers from ALS and is dying because of the disease, Morrie has decided not to be depressed. When he is first told by the doctor about his disease, he thinks about his only two choices, whether to continue living by making the best of his life or keep feeling sorry for himself. He chooses to live without feeling ashamed of dying.
But my old professor had made a profound decision, one he began to construct the day he came out of the doctor’s office with a sword hanging over his head.
Do I wither up and disappear, or do I make the best of my life left? He had asked himself.
He would not wither. He would not be ashamed of dying (10).
“There are some mornings when I cry and cry and mourn for myself. Some morning I’m so angry and bitter. But it doesn’t last too long. Then I get up and say, ‘I want to live…’
“So far I’ve been able to do it. Will I able to continue? I don’t know. But I’m betting on myself that I will” (21-22).
Morrie also shows his toughness on Mitch’s first visit. He tells Mitch that he may be dying, but it does not really matter because he has family and friends who love and care for him. Mitch is astonished by Morrie’s toughness despite his being unable to dance, swim, bathe, or walk.
“I may be dying, but I’m surrounded by loving, caring souls. How many people can say that?”
I was astonished by his complete lack of self-pity. Morrie, who could no longer dance, swim, bathe, or walk; Morrie, who could no longer answer his own door dry himself after a shower, or even roll over in bed. How could he be so accepting? (36)
In facing his final months, Morrie does not ask his sons, Rob who works in Tokyo and Jon who works in Boston, to just stay at home to accompany him although they will certainly do it for their beloved father. He does not want his disease to ruin his sons’ lives. He himself who suffers is just enough. This shows how tough he is. “…Had he so desired, they would have stopped what they were doing to be with their father every minute of his final months. But that was not what he wanted.”
On the last interview with Ted Koppel, Morrie assures Ted that the disease will only attack his body, but not his spirit. “Ted this disease is knocking at my spirit. But it’ll not get my spirit. It’ll get my body. It will not get my spirit.” (163). This shows his toughness in facing the disease. Although his body will wither and he is suffering a lot, he will keep his spirit alive.
From the proofs above, it is clear that Morrie is presented as a tough person. Having suffered such a horrible disease, he does not give up and keep mourning for what he has to suffer. The methods used by the author in presenting Morrie’s toughness are Morrie’s speech, Morrie’s reaction, Mitch’s view, and the author’s direct comment.
3. Straightforward
Morrie is also described as a straight forward person. When he knows his time is running out, he honestly tells his students how he might die before the end of the semester.
“My friends, I assume you are all here for the Social Psychology class. I have been teaching this course fro twenty years, and this is the first time I can say there is a risk in taking it, because I have a fatal illness. I may not live to finish this semester.
“Now let me ask you something,” Koppel said. “Have you ever seen my program?”
Morrie shrugged. “Twice, I think.” “Twice? That’s all?”
“Don’t feel bad. I’ve only seen ‘Oprah’ once.”
“Well, the two times you saw my show, what did you think?” Morrie paused. “To be honest?”
“Yes?”
“I thought you were a narcissist” (20-21).
Morrie’s response to Koppel’s question about what Morrie dreads the most in the progression of his disease also accounts for how straightforward he is.
….What, Koppel asked, did Morrie dread the most about his slow, insidious decay?
Morrie paused. He asked if he could say this certain thing on television. Koppel said go ahead.
Morrie looked straight into the eyes of the most famous interviewer in America. “Well, Ted, one day soon, someone’s gonna have to wipe my ass” (22).
From the proofs above, Morrie is presented as a straightforward person. He does not hide his feelings, thoughts, or even his present condition. The methods used by the author in describing Morrie as a straightforward person are personal description, speech, direct comments, and mannerism.
4. Wise
“coach”, and Morrie seems to like the nickname because he wants Mitch to “play all the lovely parts of life” that he is too old for now (31). Morrie tries to say that he will guide Mitch in undergoing the paths of life.
When Mitch is in Wimbledon to get news on the world’s premier tennis competition, he is knocked over by a British photographer who is chasing Andre Agassi and his girlfriend Brooke Shields, but the photographer does not even say ‘sorry’. Mitch suddenly remembers what Morrie says to him. This shows that Mitch is able to get a lesson from Morrie’s wise words which Mitch believes are certainly right.
“So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they’re busy doing things they think are important. This is because
they’re chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to
devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around
you, and devote yourself to creating something that give you purpose and
meaning” (43).
Morrie’s wisdom is also shown in his willingness to share his time with Mitch when they are still in the college. Morrie who must be very busy with his works, still he always manages to have time to discuss with Mitch, his student. When Mitch shares his problems, Morrie always tries to pass life’s lessons to him. He always reminds Mitch to be “fully human”. Mitch always enjoys talking with Morrie because he can have the fatherly conversation which he cannot do with his father who wants him to be a lawyer.
….Each time we talk, he listens to me ramble, then he tries to pass on some life lessons. He warns me that money is not the most important thing, contrary
speaks of the alienation of youth and the need for “connectedness” with the
society around me. Some of these things I understand, some I do not. It makes
no difference. The discussions give me an excuse to talk to him, fatherly
conversations I cannot have with my own father, who would like me to be a
lawyer(46).
Mitch sees Morrie as a wise father who can accept his dream to be a musician and encourage him as well. Morrie motivates him by saying that if he really wants to be a musician, then he will make his dream happen (46).
Morrie also passes a precious lesson to Mitch when they are doing their ‘final thesis’ on a subject called ‘The Meaning of Life’. He tells Mitch that when we learn how to die, we also learn how to live. It means that we should accept that someday we will die, therefore we should appreciate our life. Mitch wisdom’s is also shown in his manner when he wants to make sure that Mitch has absorbed his point. He simply repeats what he has said before so that Mitch might not feel embarrassed asking.
“The truth is, Mitch,” he said, “once you learn how to die, you learn how to live.”
I nodded
“I’m going to say it again,” he said. “Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live.” He smiled, and I realized what he was doing. He was making sure I absorbed this point, without embarrassing me by asking. It was part of what made him a good teacher (82).
5. Affectionate
Morrie is portrayed as an affectionate person. Although he has a father who never shows his care and love (75), Morrie grows to be very affectionate. When Mitch comes for the first time to visit him after sixteen years, he is surprised with Morrie’s affection considering he is the student who never keeps his promise to keep in touch with his former professor who has been very kind to him during his years in college. He rocked against me, not letting go, his hands reaching up for my elbows as I bent over him. I was surprised at such affection after all these years, but then in the stone walls I had built between my present and my past, I had forgotten how close we once were…(28)
Moreover, when they eat together in the dining room, Morrie wants to feed Mitch as he usually does when they are still in college. “As was his custom, he wanted to feed me, and I said all right” (28). How Morrie receives Mitch with such a warm affection shows that he still cares for Mitch. Although they never kept in touch for sixteen years, the affection is still there. “I cannot tell you why he received me so warmly. I was hardly the promising student who had left him sixteen years earlier” (33).
Morrie’s affection can also be seen in his care for other people’s problems despite his own pain and suffering. He says that giving to others make him feel alive. When he can make someone smile after sharing their problems, he feels ‘healthy’. This shows how he cares and loves others.
“Why do you think it’s important for me to hear other people’s problem? Don’t I have enough pain and suffering of my own?
when I can make someone smile after they were feeling sad, it’s close to healthy as I ever feel (128).
From the proofs above, it can be concluded that Morrie is an affectionate person. The methods used by the author to portray this characterisctic of Morrie are Morrie’s speech, manner, reaction, and Mitch’s view.
B. The Self-Actualization of Morrie Schwartz
Morrie Schwartz is a unique character. He is able to accept his own real nature for what it is. Furthermore, he can make use of all his abilities, fulfill his qualities and capacities, and become the sort of person he has the potential to be. Therefore, he can be considered as a self-actualizing person.
According to Maslow (qtd. in Schultz 69-68), there are a number of specific characteristics of self-actualizing people, namely: an efficient perception of reality, a general acceptance of nature, others and oneself, spontaneity, simplicity, and naturalness, a focus on problems outside themselves, a need for privacy and independence, autonomous functioning, a continued freshness of appreciation, mystical, or “peak” experiences, social interest, interpersonal relations, a democratic character structure, discrimination between means and ends, between good and evil, an unhostile sense of humor; creativeness, and resistance to enculturation.
Morrie’s self-actualization is reflected in his ways of living, namely in facing his disease, in talking Mitch, in the family, and in the society. How he reveals his self-actualization is analyzed as follows:
1. In Facing His Disease
walk, bathe himself, and even wash his private parts. These are some effects of his disease. For some people, knowing they are going to die may mean the end of the world. Thinking about the effects caused by the disease may make them mourn of why they have to suffer. As a result, they may end up feeling sorry and blaming life which they think is unfair. However, for Morrie, the idea of feeling sorry or regretful does not exist. Instead, the way he faces his disease is certainly unique.
From the first time he knows his disease, he has decided not to give up and be ashamed of dying. On the contrary, he creates a great idea that he will make a final project with he himself as the subject to be researched. Referring to Maslow’s theory of self-actualizing people (qtd. in Schultz 68-69), the way he perceives and reacts to the fact that he is dying shows his creativeness. Moreover, it also shows his efficient perception of reality as well (qtd. in Schultz 68-69). He sees his current condition objectively which results in a conclusion to consider himself as a human textbook that can be studied.
He would not wither. He would not be ashamed of dying.
Instead, he would make his death his final project, the center point of his days. Since everyone was going to die, he could be of great value, right? He could be research. A human textbook. Study me in my slow and patient demise. Watch what happens to me. Learn with me(10).
not last long. Morrie’s response is quite surprising to Mitch considering the progress of his disease.
“Sometimes, in the mornings,” he said. “That’s when I mourn. I feel around my body, I move my fingers and my hands- whatever I can still move- and I mourn what I’ve lost. I mourn the slow, insidious way in which I’m dying. But then I stop mourning.”
Just like that? (56-57)
Morrie continues to explain how he covers his self-pity. He says that he cries if he needs to. He allows himself to have a few tears because he does not want to have self-pity more than that. He then concentrates on all the good things he still has in his life. This shows how he can stay calm and positive although he suffers a lot from the disease.
“I give myself a good cry if I need it. But then I concentrate on all the good things still in my life. On the people who are coming to see me. On the stories I’m going to hear. On you-if it’s Tuesday. Because we’re Tuesday people.” I grinned. Tuesday people.
“Mitch, I don’t allow myself any more self-pity than that. A little each morning, a few tears, and that’s all” (57).
word “lucky”. Morrie, who is no longer able to stand, wash, and dress himself, says that he is lucky. According to Maslow (qtd. in Schultz 68-69), this shows that he is autonomous functioning. For most people, being unable to stand, walk, dress ourselves, may mean catastrophes, but Morrie is able to remain calm in facing his disease.
I thought about all the people I knew who spent many of their waking hours feeling sorry for themselves. How useful it would be to put a daily limit on self-pity. Just a few tearful minutes, then on with the day. And Morrie could do it, with such a horrible disease…
“It’s only horrible if you see it that way,” Morrie said. “It’s horrible to watch my body slowly wilt away to nothing. But it’s also wonderful because of all the time I get to say good-bye.”
He smiled. “Not everyone is so lucky”
I studied him in his chair, unable to stand, to wash, to pull on his pants. Lucky? Did he really say lucky? (57)
Referring to Maslow’s theory (qtd. in Schultz 68-69), Morrie also possesses a general acceptance of nature, others and oneself. Morrie accepts his current condition and is not shameful of dying and never complains about the sufferings caused by the disease as well. When his body gradually weakens, he has to urinate into a large beaker and it means someone has to help him in holding the beaker. However, Morrie is not embarrassed.
The progressions of his disease soon result in his being unable to dance, swim, bathe, or walk. However, Morrie does not keep mourning for what he has lost. Mitch is really astonished with Morrie who can be so accepting despite his shortcomings.
I was astonished by his complete lack of self-pity. Morrie, who could no longer dance, swim, bathe, or walk; Morrie, who could no longer answer his own door dry himself after a shower, or even roll over in bed. How could he be so accepting? (36)
In an interview for the “Nightline” show, Ted Koppel, the host, asks Morrie about what he dreads most from his disease. “Someone’s gonna have to wipe my ass” is Morrie’s response to the question. When that day comes, Morrie accepts this complete dependency.
Morrie lost his battle. Someone was now wiping his behind. He faced this with typically brave acceptance. No longer able to reach behind him when he used the commode, he informed Connie of his latest limitation
For the interview, which took place on a Friday afternoon, Morrie wore the same shirt he’d had on the day before. He changed shirts only every other day at this point, and this was not the other day, so why break routine? (160) According to Maslow (qtd. in Schultz 68-69), self-actualizing people consider their work as a mission to which they devote their energy and dedicate themselves. Morrie’s devotion and dedication fit what Maslow proposes. Although his disease has caused him to walk with a cane, still he comes to campus, his “home’, where he has dedicated his contribution for thirty years. It is his final course at Brandeis University. He actually can stop teaching considering his current condition, and then just stay at home to rest and have medical treatments. However, Morrie loves his job so much that he keeps giving his best as long as he is still able to do it.
In the fall of 1994, Morrie came to the hilly Brandeis campus to teach his final college course. He could have skipped this, of course. The university would have understood. Why suffer in front of so many people? Stay at home. Get your affairs in order. But the idea of quitting did not occur to Morrie (9). When Morrie is already unable to go to campus to teach, he does not give up giving what he is still able to give. He creates the idea to write down his thoughts and philosophies about death into aphorisms. More than fifty aphorisms are written in a short time. Morrie shares these aphorisms to his friends.
past as the past, without denying or discarding it”; “Learn to forgive yourself and to forgive others”; “Don’t assume that it’s too late to get involved.” Referring to Maslow’s theory (qtd. in Schultz 68-69), self-actualizing people also have a strong need for privacy and independence which means that they are able to make up their own minds, reach their own decisions and exercise their own motivation and discipline. When Morrie is first told by the doctor about the disease, he is shocked and expects the world to stop and the people around him to take notice at him. However, he realizes that the world is just the same. He wonders what he should do then.
My old professor, meanwhile, was stunned by the normalcy of the day around him.Shouldn’t the world stop? Don’t they know what has happened to me?
But the world did not stop, it took no notice at all, and as Morrie pulled weakly on the car door, he felt as if he were dropping into a hole.
Now what?He thought (8).
Morrie, later, decides not to give up. He thinks of a unique idea instead that he will let himself be researched. He will make his death become his final course. This shows how he can make up his own mind, reach his own decision and exercise his own motivation and discipline.
Instead, he would make his death his final project, the center point of his days. Since everyone was going to die, he could be of great value, right? He could be research. A human textbook. Study me in my slow and patient demise. Watch what happens to me. Learn with me(10).
pleasure, awe, and wonder. Obviously, Morrie possesses this ability. It is shown when he is telling Mitch about how he appreciates the window in his office to which he can observe the nature outside. He says that it is like his first experience of seeing the nature.
He nodded toward the window with the sunshine streaming in. “You see that? You can go out there, outside, anytime. You can run up and down the block and go crazy. I can’t do that. I can’t go out. I can’t run. I can’t be out there without fear of getting sick. But you know what? Iappreciatethat window more than you do.”
Appreciate it?
“Yes. I look out that window every day. I notice the change in the trees, how strong the wind is blowing…I am drawn to nature like I’m seeing it for the first time” (84).
Morrie is not only able to appreciate certain experiences, but he is also able to experience mystical, or ‘peak’ experiences (qtd. in Schultz 68-69). He is blissful and excited in listening to music, even it often makes him cry. On one occasion, a local acapella group comes to his house to perform. He is so excited telling the story to Mitch.
