The novel Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom delves into the complexities of the human condition from the point of view of an elderly man who is slowly dying from the disease ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The man, Morrie, decides to spend the last days of his time on earth spreading his wisdom to as many people as possible, teaching them much about the importance of life, as well as what is needed to live life to the fullest and be really happy. What Morrie teaches these people is something that great poets have been doing for a very long time. In the novel Tuesdays with Morrie, Mitch Albom expresses themes and ideas in everyday life that relate to poetry and can be applied to the perspective of the human condition. In the novel, Morrie conveyed the importance of focusing on the important things in life, rather than things that society says will bring you happiness. He indicated that “how we think” and “what we value” is something that “you can't let anyone, or any society, determine for you” (Albom 43). Morrie's statement addresses the importance of determining our own values ​​and beliefs rather than allowing society to choose them for us. Phillip Larkin's poem "Next, Please" tells the story of several individuals who waited for what society told them would bring happiness, but resulted in the bitter deaths of people who had worked hard to earn a reward that would never be given They. Through his poetry Larkin tries to warn readers of the empty promises offered by society. Larkin does this primarily through the end of the poem which states, “Only one ship is looking for us, a black ship/Sailing unknown, towing behind it/A huge, birdless silence. In its wake/No water is generated or broken” (21-24). Although the perspective of life de......middle of paper......ty. Mitch Albom, along with Morrie and the authors of the poems, provide an excellent description of true happiness, the powers of love, and the dangers that come from the fear of death. Works Cited Abbott, Meribah. “The best friend”. Nursery rhyme. 25. Ed. Carmela Ciuraru. New York: Random House, 2003. Print.Albom, Mitch. TuesdayWith Morrie. New York: Random House, 1997. StampaBronte, Emily. “Autumn, leaves, autumn”. Treasure of the most beloved poems. 55. Ed. Luigi Phillips. New York: Random House, 2004. Print.Donne, John. “Death is not proud.” Treasure of the most beloved poems. 55. Ed. Luigi Phillips. New York: Random House, 2004. Print.Hughes, Langston. "Advise." Treasure of the most beloved poems. 38. Ed. Luigi Phillips. New York: Random House, 2004. Print.Larkin, Phillip. “Next, please.” 100 Great Poems of the Twentieth Century. 151. Ed. Marco Strand. New York: W. W. Norton, 2005. Print.