Morrie Schwartz

Morrie is a typical representative of a wise old man who somehow definitely knows how to live this life better. After Mitch became his student, he feels like this boy is really smart, but needs to be taught. When he finished working at the university Mitch said that he would keep in touch, but somehow he lost contacts, that is why Morrie was a little bit upset.

He is an excellent teacher and retires only after he begins to lose control of his body to ALS, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The disease ravages his body, but, ironically, leaves his mind as lucid as ever. He realizes that his time is running out and that he must share his wisdom on "The Meaning of Life" with the world before it is too late to do so. Mitch serves as a vehicle through which he can convey this wisdom, to Mitch personally, and, more indirectly, to a larger audience which he reaches after his death by means of the book itself. He and Mitch plan for the book during his dying days, deeming it their "final thesis together." He is also able to reach a vast audience through his interviews with Ted Koppel, which are broadcast nation-wide on ABC-TV's "Nightline."

Morrie has an unmistakable knack for reaching through to the human essence of every individual he befriends. He is even able to deconstruct Koppel, who is a thick-skinned national celebrity. He does so by asking Koppel what he feels is "close to his heart." Love is his main method of communication.

After years he was invited to talk in one programme, where he met Mitch again. Later, to the end of his life, he continued coming to meeting with Mitch every Tuesday, talking to him and saying how to improve the life.