critical analysis essay
Philip Cepeda
Ms. Aponte
English Communications 11
15 November 2013
Literary Analyses Essay
Mark Twain once said, “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. Aman who lives
fully is prepared to die at any time.” In other words a man who has not feared living his life to the fullest will not fear dying, but to fear life then one will fear death. This statement is true. This statement has been proven to be true on a novel called Tuesday with Morrie written by Mitch Albom and also in a short poem called “Crossing the Bar” written by Alfred Lord Tennyson. Both authors have used ideas and literary elements to support that this statement is true, such as theme, setting, characterization, conflict and imagery.
In Tuesdays with Morrie, Mitch Albom uses setting, theme, characterization, conflict and imagery to support the quote. The setting takes place in Massachusetts in Morrie’s home. Morrie is forced to live in his home after he is diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) Even though Morrie is immobilized and incapable of removing himself from his home, he lives fully without the fear of death knowing that his death is inevitable. Mitch Albom creates the atmosphere of loving and the welcoming of friendship throughout the novel. The theme of the novel Tuesdays with Morrie is about loving and caring for others, whilst knowing that life comes to an end eventually. Throughout the novel Morrie is an open-minded person who believes that the treatment of others should be held highly. He opens his doors to not only his friends but the social media to spread the knowledge of his views and beliefs. He shows his generosity to Mitch by telling him he is like another son to him. Morrie is able to keep a social life with Mitch knowing that his life is slowly decaying and still lives his life to the fullest. The author uses characterization to show Morrie’s bravery and courage to not fear death when knowing that is coming. When Morrie is diagnosed and his disease is getting catastrophic he maintains his meetings with Mitch every Tuesday and also holds numerous amount interviews. He doesn’t trap himself in his home and reject society, he opens up and shares important values in life and continues to live his life to the fullest. The conflict in the novel is that Morrie, a college Professor, a loved man and someone who loved to dance was diagnosed with ALS and his life was drastically impacted. ALS disabled Morrie to do simple things in his everyday life but, he continued to live his life to the fullest and not fear death in anyway. Mitch Albom the author of the novel uses imagery to express Morrie’s belief. Morrie's imagery is in believing that if you are in the bed while sick, you are dead and thus he decided to avoid it and teach valuable life lessons to Mitch and by Morrie deciding to avoid what he believes he decides to keep living his life to the fullest. One of the themes on Tuesday with Morrie is living a meaningful life, this relate to the quote by living you’re life to fullest and not fearing death, to have a meaningful life. Through the use of these elements Albom shows us that Morrie is able to live his life to the fullest and be prepares for death.
In “Crossing the Bar” Alfred Lord Tennyson uses metaphor, symbolism, imagery, theme and mood above to support the quote. Tennyson uses metaphor in his poem he states that when he crosses the bar it means his life has come to an end and isn’t afraid to die. Tennyson also uses symbolism in his poem he says that when he crosses the bar he hopes to see his Pilot face to face when in reality he is talking about god. Tennyson also uses imagery in his poem by saying that he is in the ocean in a ship taking a journey but letting the reader know that this is his last journey to crossing the bar. One of the themes of the poem “Crossing the Bar” is about accepting death. This relates to the quote by not fearing death. The mood of the poem is calm and relaxed. When Tennyson write that “May there be no sadness of farewell” and “Such a tide as moving seems asleep/Too full for sound and foam” the mood relates to the quote because he is accepting death because he has lived his life to the fullest that is why the mood is calm and soothing. Through the use of these elements Alfred Lord Tennyson demonstrates the acceptance of death.
Mark Twain once said, “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” In the novel Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom and in the poem “Crossing the Bar” by Alfred Lord Tennyson both of these stories use elements to provide evidence to support Mark Twain’s statement. Provided above to state that the quote is true. The use of literary elements provided enough proof and evidence to the support the quote of Mark Twain. Therefore the Mark Twain’s quote is true.
Ms. Aponte
English Communications 11
15 November 2013
Literary Analyses Essay
Mark Twain once said, “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. Aman who lives
fully is prepared to die at any time.” In other words a man who has not feared living his life to the fullest will not fear dying, but to fear life then one will fear death. This statement is true. This statement has been proven to be true on a novel called Tuesday with Morrie written by Mitch Albom and also in a short poem called “Crossing the Bar” written by Alfred Lord Tennyson. Both authors have used ideas and literary elements to support that this statement is true, such as theme, setting, characterization, conflict and imagery.
In Tuesdays with Morrie, Mitch Albom uses setting, theme, characterization, conflict and imagery to support the quote. The setting takes place in Massachusetts in Morrie’s home. Morrie is forced to live in his home after he is diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) Even though Morrie is immobilized and incapable of removing himself from his home, he lives fully without the fear of death knowing that his death is inevitable. Mitch Albom creates the atmosphere of loving and the welcoming of friendship throughout the novel. The theme of the novel Tuesdays with Morrie is about loving and caring for others, whilst knowing that life comes to an end eventually. Throughout the novel Morrie is an open-minded person who believes that the treatment of others should be held highly. He opens his doors to not only his friends but the social media to spread the knowledge of his views and beliefs. He shows his generosity to Mitch by telling him he is like another son to him. Morrie is able to keep a social life with Mitch knowing that his life is slowly decaying and still lives his life to the fullest. The author uses characterization to show Morrie’s bravery and courage to not fear death when knowing that is coming. When Morrie is diagnosed and his disease is getting catastrophic he maintains his meetings with Mitch every Tuesday and also holds numerous amount interviews. He doesn’t trap himself in his home and reject society, he opens up and shares important values in life and continues to live his life to the fullest. The conflict in the novel is that Morrie, a college Professor, a loved man and someone who loved to dance was diagnosed with ALS and his life was drastically impacted. ALS disabled Morrie to do simple things in his everyday life but, he continued to live his life to the fullest and not fear death in anyway. Mitch Albom the author of the novel uses imagery to express Morrie’s belief. Morrie's imagery is in believing that if you are in the bed while sick, you are dead and thus he decided to avoid it and teach valuable life lessons to Mitch and by Morrie deciding to avoid what he believes he decides to keep living his life to the fullest. One of the themes on Tuesday with Morrie is living a meaningful life, this relate to the quote by living you’re life to fullest and not fearing death, to have a meaningful life. Through the use of these elements Albom shows us that Morrie is able to live his life to the fullest and be prepares for death.
In “Crossing the Bar” Alfred Lord Tennyson uses metaphor, symbolism, imagery, theme and mood above to support the quote. Tennyson uses metaphor in his poem he states that when he crosses the bar it means his life has come to an end and isn’t afraid to die. Tennyson also uses symbolism in his poem he says that when he crosses the bar he hopes to see his Pilot face to face when in reality he is talking about god. Tennyson also uses imagery in his poem by saying that he is in the ocean in a ship taking a journey but letting the reader know that this is his last journey to crossing the bar. One of the themes of the poem “Crossing the Bar” is about accepting death. This relates to the quote by not fearing death. The mood of the poem is calm and relaxed. When Tennyson write that “May there be no sadness of farewell” and “Such a tide as moving seems asleep/Too full for sound and foam” the mood relates to the quote because he is accepting death because he has lived his life to the fullest that is why the mood is calm and soothing. Through the use of these elements Alfred Lord Tennyson demonstrates the acceptance of death.
Mark Twain once said, “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” In the novel Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom and in the poem “Crossing the Bar” by Alfred Lord Tennyson both of these stories use elements to provide evidence to support Mark Twain’s statement. Provided above to state that the quote is true. The use of literary elements provided enough proof and evidence to the support the quote of Mark Twain. Therefore the Mark Twain’s quote is true.