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Morrie absolutely loves to eat. Besides being necessary for life in a basic sense, Morrie sees food as a means of connecting and fostering relationships, and therefore essential in developing and maintaining his personal culture. After his first visit with Morrie, Mitch remembers Morrie's affinity for food and begins to bring him things from his favorite deli in as an offering. This continues even after Morrie is no longer able to chew and swallow solid food, and becomes a more symbolic gesture of friendship and well-wishing. As Morrie's health declines and eating becomes more difficult, food begins to bring with it the potential for death – Morrie fears he will die by choking.
Food Quotes in Tuesdays with Morrie
The Tuesdays with Morrie quotes below all refer to the symbol of Food. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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The First Tuesday
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I knew there was plenty of food at the house, but I wanted to contribute something. I was so powerless to help Morrie otherwise. And I remembered his fondness for eating.
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The Sixth Tuesday
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Charlotte glanced again at my food and I felt suddenly ashamed. All these reminders of things Morrie would never enjoy.
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The Thirteenth Tuesday
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Then I'd go for a walk, in a garden with some trees, watch their colors, watch the birds, take in the nature that I haven't seen in so long now.
In the evening, we'd all go together to a restaurant with some great pasta, maybe some duck—I love duck—and then we'd dance the rest of the night. I'd dance with all the wonderful dance partners out there, until I was exhausted.
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Get the entire Tuesdays with Morrie LitChart as a printable PDF.
Food Symbol Timeline in Tuesdays with Morrie
The timeline below shows where the symbol Food appears in Tuesdays with Morrie. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
The Audiovisual
...for Nightline. By this point, Morrie is in a wheelchair, never to walk again, and eating is becoming more and more difficult. However, Morrie refuses to be upset, preferring instead to...
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For the interview, Morrie refuses makeup or nice clothes, as he believes that death shouldn't be embarrassing. He discusses how he tries to live now, with dignity, humor, and...
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The Orientation
They go inside and Morrie insists on feedingMitch. Morrie's nurse, Connie, brings them food and brings Morrie some pills. Morrie offers to tell...
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...tells Mitch that he will be Mitch's coach, and Mitch can be Morrie's player. Sometimes theyeat together in the school cafeteria, and Mitch delights in Morrie's sloppy eating habits.
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The Classroom
...Morrie "Coach," and Morrie smiles at the memory. Mitch continues to watch Morrie struggle to eat, describing the trouble Morrie has using his silverware and swallowing.
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The First Tuesday: We Talk About the World
Mitch arrives at Morrie's house with a variety of foods, and the two sit at Morrie's dining room table and eat. Conversation comes easier this...
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The Second Tuesday: We Talk About Feeling Sorry for Yourself
Mitch arrives at Morrie's house with bags of foodafter stopping on his drive from the airport at a market that Morrie likes. Morrie is...
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The Third Tuesday: We Talk About Regrets
Mitch arrives at Morrie's house with his bags of food and a tape recorder. He tells Morrie that he wants to have Morrie’s voice recorded...
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The Sixth Tuesday: We Talk About Emotions
...telling him that Morrie's having a hard day. When Mitch offers her the bags of food, she tells him that Morrie still hasn't eaten any from last time. She opens the...
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...although Mitch says she handles it all with immense patience. Mitch helps her put the food in the fridge and takes note of all the pill bottles on their counter. Charlotte...
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The Tenth Tuesday: We Talk About Marriage
Connie knocks on the office door to tell Morrie his lunch is ready. Morrie is now only capable of eating liquids and pureed foods. Mitch continues...
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The Thirteenth Tuesday: We Talk About the Perfect Day
...do his exercises, have a lovely breakfast, and then see friends in small groups for lunch. He'd then go for a walk and admire nature, and in the evening they'd go...
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The Fourteenth Tuesday: We Say Good-Bye
...tells him that Morrie is still asleep. Mitch helps Charlotte tidy the kitchen, putting the food he brought into the fridge. Mitch apologizes for bringing the food, but tells the reader...
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Graduation
...the funeral. It's a damp and windy morning, and the sky is the color of milk. It's a small gathering, although hundreds of people wanted to attend. As Morrie's ashes are...
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The Professor
...Morrie remembers his mother while they bury her. Until she got sick, she ran a candy store. After falling ill, she slept or sat by the window. When she yelled for...
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