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cry, because we never own them. Here Morrie is trying to help Mitch to find the meaning of life.
4.2. Something that Influence Morrie to be Dependent on Mitch
Morrie becomes a dependent behavior because of his lonely background in his past life. His mother’s death haunts him and his father’s affection that he never
gets in his life. Here Morrie’s loneliness will be shown through others characters and his own statement in this novel.
On the graduation day Morrie said to Mitch “he asks if I will stay in touch and without hesitation I say, “of course.” when he steps back I see that he
is crying.”4
This statement shows that Morrie does not want to lose Mitch, since he considers Mitch as someone whom he used to spend all his days in Brandies
“Mitch you are one of the good ones” 4 he said to Mitch. After the graduation Mitch never has contact with his friends at college
even with his old professor, someone whom he promised to stay in touch on the graduation day. He sinks himself in doing many things in his job. Losing his
favorite uncle makes him realize that life is so precious. It makes him spend most of his time doing the best he could. He thinks that if he works hard he will soon
achieve the happiness before he suddenly gets sick and dies. After few years finally Mitch comes to see Morrie. Morrie is still the old
professor he used to know very well. He said the welcome word “My old friend” he whispered” You’ve come back at last” 28. He holds Mitch in his arm. He
holds Mitch like a long lost child whom he did not want to let go anymore.
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“He rocked against me, not letting go, his hands reaching up for my elbows as I bent over him. I was surprises 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
Mitch is not the only one who is interested in visiting Morrie. When Morrie was sick, there were many people visiting Morrie. They were a group
discussion student, meditation teachers, and someone who wants to take his picture for a magazine. But among those people Morrie was only interested in
talking to Mitch. The phone rang again,” Morrie can you talk?’ Connie asked.
I am visiting with my old pal now,” he announced “Let them call back.” 33
Mitch himself does not know the reason why Morrie can be so welcome to him, remembering that he has left his old professor since the last time he promise
him to stay in touch. I cannot tell you why he received me so warmly. I was hardly the
promising students who had left him sixteen years earlier, had it not been for “ NIGHTLINE” Morrie might have died without ever being to see me
again.”33 They used to spend their time talking about life. It is awkward sometimes
talking to people of different ages but they seem to be comfortable to make the time. Morrie is always exited to see Mitch. It is shown in his statement “Where
shall we visit today?” he asks cheerily when I enter his office” 46. He always wants Mitch to come. He does not want to lose Mitch again so at the end of Mitch
visits Morrie says “ So you’ll come back next Tuesday?” he whispered” 52. It is a statement that will guarantee Mitch to come back on Tuesday. He
just wants to make sure that he will not lose Mitch twice.
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Morrie has experienced the bitterness of losing parents and he knows exactly what it feels like to be alone and no affection.
“…. Tears fell down his nose. “ I lost my mother when I was a child…… and it was quite a blow to me…I wish I had a group like yours where I
would have been able to talk about my sorrows. I would have joined your group
because…” His voice cracked.
“…. Because I was so lonely…” 72 He lost his mother seventy years ago and the pain still remains whenever
he talks about his mother he burst into tears. He was eight years old. a telegram came from the hospital, and since his
father, a Russian immigrant, could not read English, Morrie had to break the news, reading His mother’s death notice like a good student in front
of the class …. “We regret to inform you.” 73 After his mother died he takes over the family. He has to work hard to
make money for buying food. He has to take care of his father and his brother, a Russian immigrant father who barely speaks English and his limp brother of
polio. Morrie was a nine-year-old boy who has to take care his family. The thing he missed most was that father and son could ever do
“Communication”. Morrie always wants to have a conversation with his father, a conversation between father and son, or man to man or just come to his room and
kiss him good night. “In the evening, he watches his father in silence, hoping for, but never getting- a show affection, communication, warmth” 75. His father
seems to be enjoying his own. Morrie always wants to have such a parents affection that he can feel
home whenever he is with his family, a place where he can feel secure whenever he lives in, and someone who always keep an eye on him.
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“This is part of what a family is about, not just love but letting others to know there’s someone who is watching out for them. It’s what I missed so
much when my mother died.” 92 In his words Morrie said that family is a place where we can understand
that there would be someone watching out for us in all condition. Like what he said in this sentence “….. Knowing that your family will be there watching out for
you nothing else will give you that, not money, not fame” 92. Morrie learn from his past experience that he has no love covered him
when he was a child. He thought that family should be the only shelter to run when there is rain or danger. Morrie lost all the moments with his mother and
father. He never felt such warmth affection from his parents. From that experience he promised himself not to do this to his children.
“In this way even he was dying he showed respect for his children’s worlds. Little wonders that when they sat with him there was a waterfall of
affection, lots of kisses and jokes and crouching by the side of the bed, holding hands.” 93
Morrie does not let his son to be hunger for love. Morrie does something
to his children that his father did not do to him when he was a child. According to Abraham Moslow in Petri’s book Motivation: Theory and
Research says that the psychological needs are the basic thing of a relationship. People will feel better if their bodies have been fed or watered 302. When Mitch
visits Morrie, he is unhappy to see Morrie is getting worse. Charlotte convinces him that it would be okay she says “No, no, he’ll be happy to see you”. She said
quickly. “I’m sure….” 100. And then she continued her words “I’m sure he’ll fell better if he knows you’re here” 101.
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Charlotte’s statement shows that Morrie is always welcome to be there. Morrie always looks forward to Mitch’s visit.
“ You are bringing him something. He looks forward to your visits. He talks about having to do this project with you, how he has to concentrate
and put the time aside. I think it’s giving him a good sense of purpose…..”101
Mitch’s visits always brings Morrie a new spirit to live, since they have the last project to do Morrie has to prepare his energy in doing this conversation.
He seems to enjoy the time when he was with him. He can openly talk to Mitch about his past life and many nightmares in it.
“ The trust is when our mother rocked us stroked our heads _ none of us ever got enough of that. We all yearn in someway to return to those days
when we were completely taken care of unconditional love, unconditional attention. Most of us didn’t get enough. I know I didn’t”. 116
For all his life he does not get enough affection from his parents, he will only spend his time wanting another who will kiss him good night and father who
will talk to him like a father and son. He missed all those things. “ Morrie looked at the body behind the glass, the body of the man who had
scolded him and molded him and taught him to work, who had been quiet when he wanted him to speak. Who had told Morrie to swallow his
memories of his mother when he wanted to share them with the world.”139
When he found out about his father’s death, it was even more painful than
he thought. He could not cry until the day after. And all he wants when his final moment comes is that he is surrounded by those whom he loves.
“When the final moment came, Morrie wanted his loved ones around him, knowing what was happening. No one would get a phone call, or telegram,
or have to look through a glass window in some cold and foreign basement.” 140
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And he did it. When the final moment came all his relatives were gathered but he died when for the first time they left him for a second. He did not want
anyone to be haunted by his last breath He was buried on Tuesday. The same day as the days that he used to have meetings with Mitch, his favorite students and
best friend.
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CHAPTER V CONCLUSIONS, SUGGESTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
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