What kind of person is Morrie and what values, morals, kind of people are important to him the apparent and underlying ones? I feel that Morrie is a very wise man, who has a much leveled head. He is the most optimistic man, even when death shadows him every day! “Accept what you are able to do and what you are not able to do; accept the past as past, without denying it or discarding it; learn to forgive yourself and to forgive others; don’t assume that it’s too late to get involved” (Albom 18). He somehow knows what the best thing to do is in whatever situation, and he knows how to win hearts. He doesn’t even have to try and he gets to people. His values include his life, and the people in it. But mostly, his life. For example, to satisfy himself he held a “live funeral”. He did this just so he could hear what people had to say about him. Yet, this not only satisfied him but it satisfied the people who wrote him poems and had really nice things to say about him. It satisfied them because they got to cry with him, instead of him being gone!

 

Do you think you could handle what Morrie is going through or how would you react? Why? Do you think he's being real or is he hiding something? He’s such a strong man… this is the most powerful statement made by him and a great example to show how strong he is. “There are some mornings when I cry and cry and mourn for myself. Some mornings, I'm so angry and bitter. But it doesn't last too long. Then I get up and say, 'I want to live...'” So with this in mind, no. No, I could not go through what Morrie is going through. I would literally give up on life. Not him though. He wants to live. I would give up because I think in that moment everything seems so pointless. I’m also the kind of person who needs motivation to get where Morrie is. Not just any motivation, but real motivation by someone or something. He doesn’t even need motivation, he just needs himself. He doesn’t even need a functioning body! His body is breaking down on him and he’s doing fine! He’s being real. This man is the real deal.

Can a person be uncorrupt when he or she is part of a corrupt system?

When I think of a person becoming good again, I think of someone who has done something TERRIBLE, and cannot ever forgive themselves. They feel there is no hope, they feel they can never live with themselves, and most importantly, they feel no one can ever forgive them. And I think the most important question that goes through ones mind is, "If I tell someone what I have done, then can that person really ever think of me the same?..... no..." For example, Baba had to live with the fact that Hassan would be and forever be ALI'S son, not his. So of course he would never tell anyone the real father of Hassan, because people would never think of him the same. He also had to live with letting go of Hassan and move to America without him. However, the book never explains how Baba felt about any of this! I can only guess he had no hope. Why? I guess, because he knew he couldn't stop Ali from taking him, having everyone find out Baba had been lying about Hassan's true father this whole time, and his reputation going down the drain! It was not worth the risk I guess, but I feel as if he always had secret ways to show he did love Hassan. When Amir asked Baba if they could get new servants, Baba had said, "(Hassan) is staying right here with us, where he belongs. This is his home and we're his family"(Hosseini p225). Then Baba wept and wept after Hassan and Ali left their house.

 So, how can a person be uncorrupt? Well, it would all have to start with finding hope. You need hope in order to be good again. Hope isn't something you can feel over night... what is hope? II think hope is the feeling that what you want, can be had! Or, that events will turn out for the best. So, with some people the Bible can be a source of hope and comfort. For others, just one person can give you that bubbly feeling, and that feeling of hope. With Baba, he found himself NEVER missing Hassan's birthday, and always buying him amazing gifts. Baba had taken Hassan to get his hairlip fixed. Baba said, "It's an unusual present, I know, and probably not what you had in mind, but this present will last you forever"(Hosseini p46). He found comfort in making up for his lie to Hassan, and the world by giving him wonderful birthday gifts, along with a great home to live in. A person can be uncorrupt by making up for whatever they have done.

Final question, how can a person be uncorrupt in a corrupt system? This is kind of harder considering that Baba had never actually told the truth to Hassan, or anyone, except Rahim Khan. And, he let Ali and Hassan walk away, and he never got to see Hassan after they left, and then, Baba died. However, we can learn that for that short period of time of Baba giving Hassan all the gifts and stuff, that he did all that in a way to take responsiblity for his actions. So, if you are a responsible human being, and you attempt to become a better human being by regreting your actions, take responsibility for your actions, and seek out healthier ways to handle your hurt and emotions by hope, then you can be uncorrupt in a corrupt system and regain your energy and move forward.