A Literary Analysis of the Novel Tuesday’s with Morrie

Last Updated: 25 Apr 2023
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If given the opportunity to speak with anyone that has inspired me, I would choose to converse with none other than the Great Communicator himself. President Ronald Wilson Reagan has given peace of mind to an uneasy nation and spoken peace to a hostile opponent, if given an opportunity to interview perhaps one of the nation's greatest leaders, I would undoubtedly dive deep into the topics well known to a man of such wisdom and experience, In this time of exchanging of thoughts, I would rely on a list inspired by the novel Tuesday's with Morrie, in which Morrie, a dying professor, shares his last theories with a past university student to hopefully change his life for the better as most lose sight of the importance of life itself in the chaos of the society this day and age.

Due to the complexity of President Reagan's life, I would be hard pressed not to introduce the subjects of Marriage, Family, Fear, Creed, and their relation to a meaningful life. Many people experience the union of marriage in one of two ways: fearful of a disastrous relationship and consequent divorce or exuberant with the one who makes them whole. Ronald Reagan unfortunately, but fortunately could speak to both circumstances and resulting emotions His first marriage to former co-star Jane Wyman brought forth his first daughter Maureen and an adopted son Micheal. Their later divorce arose only because Reagan sought out his own ambitions in politics through the Screen Actors Guild union, this career turn proved unsatisfactory for Jane as she filed for divorce in 1948.

The undesirable result affected Reagan two fold. While he lost custody of his only children (forjoint custody was unheard of at the time), he opened himself to new opportunities in his newly found interests. Knowing this about Reagan would prompt me to ask him about his shift from a marriage of nine years to single actor turning to politics of all ambitions of the world. Perhaps he would jokingly reply that he had chosen the lesser of two evils, but had it not been for his divorce he would not have met the true love of his life Nancy Davis in 1949. The speed at which he shifted from divorced to courting conjures the question considering his caution in entering another relationship. Their initial meeting occurred less than a year after his divorce had been finalized but only took place due to an inquiry about her name on the communist blacklist and his position as president of the Screen Actors Guild.

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Circumstances such as these may appear unwelcoming to a future relationship, but she recalled the meeting as very close to love at first sight. I can only imagine that this extreme change in events excited Reagan and here I would inquire as to whether he felt the same feelings towards Nancy on that day as he did when he met Jane on the movie set ten years prion What was it that he saw within Nancy, that he felt anyone should see in their future spouse, that allowed him to make another carefully considered decision of marriage? Ronald and Nancy's relationship resembled what can best be described as a fairytale in that the two of them remained in love throughout the years and could not remember life without the other. Ronald expressed only conflict with his Alzheimer's diagnosis as the truth that he could not spare Nancy from the pain of the experience and what was to follow.

I believe it is no coincidence that he met Nancy working within politics for it is most poetic that he met her, his soul mate, working within a field that would develop a legacy far beyond that of any actor. Marriage to anyone who has never been married or engaged to another proves a very mysterious and touchy thought, but through the eyes of a man that has seen the best and worst results, Ronald Reagan would be far more capable than I could anticipate in providing advice and outlook on such a commitment. Any one person could speak of family, seeing that most of us are surrounded by those whose relationship remains bound by blood; however, Reagan's family life retained an expectation that could not be fulfilled during his first marriage. In Hollywood's watchful eye, the Reagan family grew first with Maureen and later with Micheal, but without forgetting the heartbreak of 1947, I find it peculiar that within the English language, an orphan is a child that has lost a parent, but yet the title for a parent that has lost a child ceases to exist.

This may insinuate that the event is purely unnatural, but still occurred and directly affected the family life of Ronald Reagan. The second biological child of Ronald and Jane was born in1947 and lived for only twenty four hours, her name was Christine, Perhaps this was the first true tragedy in his life, but then again he may have accepted it as a circumstance of the timer The truth of his trite emotion could only be revealed through his own testimony, of which I would absorb praying that I not have to endure a similar misfortune. As his four children from both marriages grew to become young men and women, rebellion through a literary medium ensued Micheal, his adopted son, unintentionally authored a memoir of his childhood of sexual abuse by a camp counselor.

It has been reported that Reagan had no response to this work in a public or private manner only labeling him as a distant father figure, but within an interview, I would be unable to resist inquiring about his true feelings concerning his son's molestation. Patti Davis spoke against her parents through indirect accusations and outright rebellion in her book A House of Secrets. Conservatism never did characterize Patti, but it was not until the early 90's that she made amends with Nancy and Ronald. Even the youngest Ron Reagan was no exception as he grew up under the shadow of a politician and expressed himself by exiting Yale in the first semester and pursuing a dream of ballet dancing. Fortunately, the Reagan family sought reunion, but the true question lies within the turmoil during rebellions and slander. At this point I cannot help, but curiously ponder how he revered his family after regaining them from being dispersed and he isolated.

Family time for many remains a cherishable time, but did such a distant father feel the same? Throughout his presidency, President Reagan continually preached family values, but with the spotlight beating down on his family there was little conflict he could conceal. I would be interested in his possible regret. “President Reagan, if given the opportunity how differently would you have interested yourself with your relationships with your children knowing the inner struggle they each were facing?” Perhaps he feels no need for regret or just the opposite longed for his children close to him during his reign as the nation's leader. Throughout the course of his administration, President Reagan had many potential fears that could not be revealed to the public for display of weakness.

I would presume that he felt his own confidence at times was a mask to the American people. At the time of the election he was inheriting a poor economy, Vietnam embarrassment, and foreign conflict. Boosting American morale required the well thought out words of a confident individual, but the words were sure to end on the day of John Hinckley's assassination attempt. In the moment when the bullet surged through his body what could the newly elected president possibly be thinking with such a presumably racing mind. A soon to be exceptional leader faced the ultimate fear: deaths Now today he could also speak of his struggle with the slow effect ofAlzheimer‘s on his mind and body, but within the moment of sure panic when all could be snatched away, what did President Reagan realize about his life up to this climax and had he pondered the idea of being fully prepared to let go with no regret?

Thankfully Reagan made a full recovery and continued with larger support and the goal to serve a greater purposes He often related to the American people through humorous statements such as, “My fellow Americans. I'm pleased to announce that I've signed legislation outlawing the Soviet Union, We begin bombing in five minutes.” Although saying such words may have been considered unprofessional, Reagan possessed an element of comedy that soothed American anticipations and doubts I could only expect and hope that while speaking to me he would achieve the same effect in his comical ways. Relating humor to others brought a wide range appeal because it set Reagan close to Americans in lightheartedness and understanding. The Cold War forced an easing of American concerns and an emergence of leadership in the government President Reagan painted the beautiful image of America as a shining city on a hill which greatly contrasted with the evil empire of the Soviet Union.

He wanted America to not give up on leadership for he once said, “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help He understood the lack of trust in the government and sought to regain it through his personality and supportr In mention of the cold war I would inquire, “When did you discover the courage to state, 'Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!’ knowing you may not be received kindly, but speaking on behalf of all anti-communist Americans?“ He may reveal that he had great bravery in the moment, but he may have also felt shaken in demanding the wall's destructioni If one person knew fear well, he would be the only US. President to survive assassination and demand another powerful nation to bend at his wills.

Reaganomics, as defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, represents the economic policies promoted by President Ronald Reagan and in my opinion qualifies him to be a man well versed in the dangers of greed. He believed in a lower taxing rate in all realms of income, proving him a considerate and fair leader, He sought not to rob successful Americans of their income, but rather allow the money to circulate and flourish. Spreading wealth though out the country proved a success despite it's many critics, but with what confidence could he initially have in such a radical shift in government income? Perhaps even if the government's betterment was not achieved, the lives of those the government guided could be greatly improved for money cannot buy happiness, but employment can always be appreciated.

President Reagan will always be remembered for the hay days of his presidency, but his life away from camera lenses and questioning reporters only equipped him with wisdom that he successfully implored in the years of 1981-1989 He experienced each form of misfortune and joy in his family and in marriage, as well as a near death experience, and the true weight of a nation on his shoulders At this point in my life, I am making decisions that will affect not only myself, but also the lives of my present and future family. One day I will ask for a woman's hand in marriage and have my own children, Many times what most people would have to discover in an unpleasant manner could have been revealed to them by a much wiser and experienced person.

President Reagan could speak to his view on a meaningful life and all that it takes to fulfill Perhaps in a way I look to him as a grandfather I had never met before, but in hearing of his time here on this earth I am overwhelmed with curiosity His kindness and universal appeal made him a hero among Americans and left a legacy that will not be soon forgotten. Any opportunity to speak to such a character would be an honor, but in the sake of humor and his appreciation of it I would enjoy his response to my last question, “President Reagan, who would you like to see become the 2012 Republican Party Candidate and what advice could you give to this prospect?“

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A Literary Analysis of the Novel Tuesday’s with Morrie. (2023, Apr 25). Retrieved from https://phdessay.com/a-literary-analysis-of-the-novel-tuesdays-with-morrie/

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