1) Have you ever really had a teacher? One who saw you as a raw but precious thing, a jewel that, with wisdom, could be polished to a proud shine? If you are lucky enough to find your way to such teachers, you will always find your way back. Sometimes it is only in your head. Sometimes it is right alongside their beds.
This passage emphasizes the uncommon but meaningful bond between a teacher and a student. The teacher, Morrie not only educates in studies but also shares his experience of life to help Mitch living life with love, honesty, and purpose. Every Tuesday, Morrie shares a new topic on life to Mitch that could not be learnt in his lectures. In the story, Mitch will always cherish the experiences and stories shared by Morrie that help him to be better in coping with life although Morrie is gone forever in this world. A true teacher will guide his students to be someone who is not only successful in his career but also successful in living a meaningful life. The impact is long-lasting and will always be thought of even though the teacher is not with us anymore. It will automatically make the readers think of the teachers who have the same characteristics as Morrie. It motivates them to connect deeply with the teachers and appreciate them as long as they are still alive in the world.
2) Instead, I buried myself in accomplishments, because with accomplishments, I believed I could control things, I could squeeze in every last piece of happiness before I got sick and died, like my uncle before me, which I figured was my natural fate.
Mitch depicts that he used his career and achievements as a sports reporter to cope with fear of death. He believes that by being successful he can avoid facing fear of death since he is always busy with his work and does not have time to think about facing death and control his emotions. Until, later, when he reunites with Morrie, he realizes that chasing success is not the way to live his life. Instead, he should also appreciate his loved ones because life is too short to focus on certain things that might have not bring full happiness to us, and in the case of Mitch, his work. Readers are able to relate on Mitch's narrative here since most people only bury themselves in achievements causing them to have limited time with their loved ones. The narrative would appear more relatable and logical.