The final thesis: A symbolic interaction study of Mitch Albom's Tuesdays with Morrie

Abstract

The study was conducted to scrutinize the context of symbolic interaction underlying in Mitch Albom's Tuesdays with Morrie. In-depth analysis drawn towards the study were based on the symbolic events encountered by the major characters, namely, Morrie Scwartz and Mitch Albom, the presentation of their fourteen (14) symbolic interactions that gave rise to the symbolic meanings of life's significant lessons, and the contribution of the characters' symbolic interactions for the creation of the book entitled as Tuesdays with Morrie. Descriptive design was employed, specifically, content analysis was the method used to ascertain the premises of symbolic interaction. Findings of the study revealed that the identified symbolic events of the characters resulted to both of their highlighted similarities and differences. Analysis on the characters' symbolic interactions showed that, in their every interaction, symbolic meanings prevailed. Accordingly, their interactions served as substantial measures for the symbolic characteristics of the book's title. Conclusions made in the study asserted that the characters' symbolic events are clearly paralleled to their symbolic interactions. The dominant life's topics discussed are based on their individual experiences. Whereas the least talked topics are more likely centered on one major character about how he imparts his viewpoint about these life's lessons as he approached his impending death. The particular day when they interact through conversational relations, is anchored with the embodied significance that attributed to the book's symbolic title as Tuesdays with Morrie.