Question

In "Tuesdays with Morrie", Mitch Albom writes about the last class of his old professor's life. Why does Mitch refer to the book as "a last class", and what is significant about the set up of the book?

Answer 1

Answer:

"Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom is an autobiographical story of Mitch and how he used to have regular Tuesday meetings with his old college professor. Mitch referred to this 'class' as "A last Class" as it most probably will be the last of his professor's life as he's suffering from ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)

Explanation:

Mitch's book is all about the life class that he's taking from his old professor who's suffering from Lou Gehrg's disease or popularly known as ALS. This disease destroys the neurons that control the voluntary muscles. He is the student, "player" while Morrie Albom is the professor, 'Coach", just like in college.  And it will most probably be his last class with Mitch as he is going to die. It is a memoir of his days with him, and his respect for him and the wisdom he imparts to his former student.

What is significant about the set up of the book is that it gives detailed notes and thoughts on the discourse about life between the former student and his professor, representative of a class lecture, the notes neatly and carefully put in according to the dates and the detailed listing of the lessons and the 'chapter' names. The book represents the class notes that students take down from their professor's lectures, and the last class of his professor, telling him about the uselessness of material things in life that will only be nothing when one dies. It is representative of a teacher-student interaction, even though both had already been adults with successful careers.

Answer 2

For the answer to the question above, the last class of my old professor's life took place once a week in his house, by a window in the study where he could watch a small hibiscus plant shed its pink leaves. The class met on Tuesdays. It began after breakfast. The subject was The Meaning of Life. It was taught from experience. It took place in Morrie's little house right outside of Boston.