A memoir essay is typically a written account of a personal experience. It varies from an autobiography in that it usually focuses on a single monumental period in the author's life. When Mitch Albom wrote his touching and insightful memoir, Tuesdays With Morrie, he recounted the precious moments he got to spend with his college professor, Morrie Schwartz, who was also his former mentor with whom he had lost touch. It describes in great detail the final months of Morrie's life as he battled the debilitating and terminal disease of ALS. Albom's account of his reactions and the impressions he draws from his time with Morrie provide the reader with a clear picture of who he is as a narrator. Mitch Albom's use of extreme detail and imagery to drive meaning, his unique writing structure, and the in-depth reflections he weaves throughout this story are especially effective in conveying how profound this moment was for him, deeming it a legit memoir, appropriately centered. around a man who influenced him greatly. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Mitch Albom quickly establishes the fact that Morrie is quite ill and close to death. Indeed, in the first line of the memoir, he explains, "the last lesson of my old professor's life took place once a week at his house," alluding to Morrie's impending death (17). A short time later, in chapter two, Albom reveals that Morrie's “death sentence came in the summer of 1994” (20). This introduction is abrupt and unusual. Rather than begin the story with his childhood or his life as a young adult, Albom chooses to begin at a much later point in his life: the end of his professor's life. Opening the memoir with Morrie's illness is an effective use of the in medias res literary technique, as it immediately places the reader in the heart of the story. The audience's awareness of Morrie's plight, of his fleeting life, allows them to feel the same sense of desperation and urgency as Mitch. Mitch Albom consistently presents extensive detail and strong imagery to the reader, effectively generating sympathy and a deep emotional connection to Morrie, Mitch. and the relationship they share. At the same time, Albom's pervasive use of imagery allows the reader to relate to the gravity of the situation. ALS initially presents as a serious disease that progressively worsens over time. This condition is gradual, and Albom's descriptions mimic its progression. Each chapter reveals a new aspect of the disease, one not previously evident, creating for the audience the sense of experiencing these challenges right alongside Morrie and providing a true connection to the author's experience as he watched Morrie deteriorate over time. At the beginning of the memoir, Morrie's difficulties are minimal but evident. “He kept tripping, so he bought a cane. That was the end of his freedom” (23). Later “he hired his first home assistant (…) and this marked the end of his privacy” (33). Mitch Albom writes about these trials in order of occurrence. Instead of listing all the challenges Morrie has faced in his life, Albom presents them to the reader as they happen, allowing each challenge to influence the reader's perception of Morrie's degeneration. Albom also uses images to clarify the condition of ALS to the reader. He explains that “ALS is like a lit candle: it melts your nerves and leaves a pile of wax on your body” (24). The actionfamiliar from the melting of a candle reinforces the brutality of Morrie's illness. Everyone has witnessed the melting of a candle, but not many have witnessed the effects of ALS. Visually applying this recognizable image of "melting" to Morrie's deteriorating body allows the reader to fully understand the severity of his condition. Mitch Albom often structures his sentences in Tuesdays With Morrie so that they emphasize important statements within the memoir. Brief statements at the end of his paragraphs highlight a significant theme. Albom consistently applies this fast-paced writing style throughout the memoir, an effective tool for emphasizing meaning. For example: “It would not wither. He wouldn't be ashamed to die" (24), an entirely separate paragraph. Separating these statements from the rest of the reading highlights some messages. This illness will not define Morrie, a central theme throughout the memoir. Later in the book Morrie says, “not everyone is so lucky” (62) and “death ends a life, not a relationship” (149), both statements in their own paragraphs. Since these statements summarize the message of the entire memoir, it is crucial that the audience understands the importance of the words. Isolating these sentences from the rest of the writing focuses the reader on the critical points of the writing and allows them to understand that these are the very points that resonate with the author himself. Even though Mitch Albom is the author and narrator of Tuesdays With Morrie, it's clear that for most of the memoir Morrie is the center of attention. As both protagonist and main character, it is Morrie who concerns audiences the most. However, it is important to understand that while readers share the author's point of view and experience Morrie's life as it influenced Mitch Albom, it is through Morrie's life that the audience learns more about the narrator. Albom's conclusions and reactions to Morrie's condition reveal much of who he is. Mitch's character development before his Tuesdays with Morrie and after his visits is made apparent to the reader through Albom's reflections and comments. Before, Albom states, “my days were full, yet I remained, for the most part, dissatisfied” (43). It is very clear early in the memoir that Albom's days consist of routine work. It is only when he finds himself out of work that he gains clarity as he "was amazed at how easily things went on without [him]" (51). Mitch Albom desperately needed perspective; Morrie offered him this perspective. Later in the memoir, as he absorbs Morrie's wisdom, Mitch's growth is evident. He begins to recognize what matters in his life. An example of this twist is when he asks, “learn to pay attention? How important could it be? I know it's more important than almost anything they taught us in college” (121). In the final chapter of the memoir, Mitch's true character is fully revealed. While humbly massaging his old professor's feet, Mitch states, "[Morrie] had finally made me cry," a statement that young Mitch would never admit early in his journey with Morrie (156). Mitch Albom learned more about himself while visiting his professor. It is during these encounters that his reflections and reactions are most authentic, revealing to the reader the true character of Mitch Albom. These are the reflections that explain how deeply he was touched by his mentor, Morrie, and all he learned. Since this is such a monumental event in Albom's life, it's fitting that his memoir focuses on his old.