Activity Overview
In literature, an “everyman” has come to mean an ordinary individual that the audience or reader easily identifies with, but who has no outstanding abilities or attributes. An everyman hero is one who is placed in extraordinary circumstances and acts with heroic qualities. While lacking the talent of the classical hero, they exhibit sound moral judgment and selflessness in the face of adversity. See our lesson on defining an Everyday Hero!
Use that lesson with your class to come up with five common characteristics of an everyman hero. Then, use the following five-cell spider map to highlight how Morrie meets these common characteristics of an “everyman hero” in the memoir Tuesdays with Morrie.
Brave
Even though Morrie is diagnosed with a devastating disease, he faces it with purpose, and finds a way to share his experiences beyond his death by working with Mitch on their “final thesis” together. He is afraid sometimes, but he acknowledges the fear, detaches, and doesn’t let it take over.
Scared, But Determined
While Morrie has coughing fits that leave him gasping for air, and even as he becomes more weak, he still makes sure he is ready for Mitch every Tuesday to get his message and lessons onto the tape recorder. It is this sense of purpose that gives Morrie strength.
Upstanding Character
Morrie is a well-loved teacher, husband, and father to all who know him. He puts his family first, and even though his own father was a silent man, he made sure to shower his own sons with affection and never leave them wanting love from him. He is honest and trustworthy, and he follows his heart, even if it means rejecting society’s standards about what is important.
Compassionate
While Morrie is suffering, he still wants to delve into Mitch’s life and what is bothering him. First, he knows that Mitch is unhappy because he is unfulfilled by only focusing on his work. Second, Morrie knows that Mitch is struggling inside because his brother in Spain is battling pancreatic cancer, and Mitch doesn’t know how to reach out to him. Morrie cares as much about Mitch’s struggles as he does about his own.
Stands Up for Beliefs
During the Vietnam War, Morrie was so fiercely opposed to the war that he and other members of the sociology department at Brandeis gave their male students As so they could keep their deferments. It may not have been ethical, but it was something that Morrie believed in strongly.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows how Morrie can be considered an everyday hero.
- Identify events of the story or characteristics of Bert that fit into attributes of an everyday hero.
- Illustrate examples for Brave; Scared, But Determined; Upstanding Character; Compassionate; and Stands Up for Beliefs.
- Write a short description below each cell that specifically relates Morrie as an everyday hero.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 27 Points | Beginning 22 Points | Try Again 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Characteristics of an Everyman Hero | The five common characteristics of an everyman hero are correctly identified and portrayed from the story. The quotes and/or explanations give context to the scene, and are accurate and appropriate to the characteristics being depicted. | 3-4 common characteristics of a everyman hero are correctly identified and portrayed from the story. The quotes and/or explanations give context to the scene, and are mostly accurate for the characteristics being depicted. | 2 common characteristics of a everyman hero are correctly identified and portrayed from the story. The quotes and/or explanations may be minimal or inaccurate for the characteristics being depicted. | 1 common characteristics of a everyman hero are correctly identified and portrayed from the story. The quotes/and or explanations may be inaccurate, missing, or too limited to score. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate to the work of literature. It is evident that the student spent a lot of time, creativity, and effort into carefully crafting each artistic depiction. | The art chosen to depict the scenes should be historically appropriate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. It is evident that the student stayed on task and put time and effort into crafting each artistic depiction. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate, but there are serious deviations that cause confusion or inaccuracies. The student may not have paid much attention to detail in crafting each depiction, and there may be evidence of rushing or limited effort. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically inappropriate, missing, or too limited to score. It is evident that the student did not put a lot of time, effort, and creativity into crafting each artistic depiction. |
| English Conventions | Ideas and quotes are organized. Displays control of grammar, usage, and mechanics. Shows careful proofreading. | Ideas and quotes are organized. Contains few errors in grammar, usage and mechanics. Shows some proofreading. | Ideas and quotes are organized. Contains errors in grammar, usage and mechanics which interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. | Contains too many errors in grammar, usage and mechanics; (and/or) errors seriously interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. |
Activity Overview
In literature, an “everyman” has come to mean an ordinary individual that the audience or reader easily identifies with, but who has no outstanding abilities or attributes. An everyman hero is one who is placed in extraordinary circumstances and acts with heroic qualities. While lacking the talent of the classical hero, they exhibit sound moral judgment and selflessness in the face of adversity. See our lesson on defining an Everyday Hero!
Use that lesson with your class to come up with five common characteristics of an everyman hero. Then, use the following five-cell spider map to highlight how Morrie meets these common characteristics of an “everyman hero” in the memoir Tuesdays with Morrie.
Brave
Even though Morrie is diagnosed with a devastating disease, he faces it with purpose, and finds a way to share his experiences beyond his death by working with Mitch on their “final thesis” together. He is afraid sometimes, but he acknowledges the fear, detaches, and doesn’t let it take over.
Scared, But Determined
While Morrie has coughing fits that leave him gasping for air, and even as he becomes more weak, he still makes sure he is ready for Mitch every Tuesday to get his message and lessons onto the tape recorder. It is this sense of purpose that gives Morrie strength.
Upstanding Character
Morrie is a well-loved teacher, husband, and father to all who know him. He puts his family first, and even though his own father was a silent man, he made sure to shower his own sons with affection and never leave them wanting love from him. He is honest and trustworthy, and he follows his heart, even if it means rejecting society’s standards about what is important.
Compassionate
While Morrie is suffering, he still wants to delve into Mitch’s life and what is bothering him. First, he knows that Mitch is unhappy because he is unfulfilled by only focusing on his work. Second, Morrie knows that Mitch is struggling inside because his brother in Spain is battling pancreatic cancer, and Mitch doesn’t know how to reach out to him. Morrie cares as much about Mitch’s struggles as he does about his own.
Stands Up for Beliefs
During the Vietnam War, Morrie was so fiercely opposed to the war that he and other members of the sociology department at Brandeis gave their male students As so they could keep their deferments. It may not have been ethical, but it was something that Morrie believed in strongly.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows how Morrie can be considered an everyday hero.
- Identify events of the story or characteristics of Bert that fit into attributes of an everyday hero.
- Illustrate examples for Brave; Scared, But Determined; Upstanding Character; Compassionate; and Stands Up for Beliefs.
- Write a short description below each cell that specifically relates Morrie as an everyday hero.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 27 Points | Beginning 22 Points | Try Again 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Characteristics of an Everyman Hero | The five common characteristics of an everyman hero are correctly identified and portrayed from the story. The quotes and/or explanations give context to the scene, and are accurate and appropriate to the characteristics being depicted. | 3-4 common characteristics of a everyman hero are correctly identified and portrayed from the story. The quotes and/or explanations give context to the scene, and are mostly accurate for the characteristics being depicted. | 2 common characteristics of a everyman hero are correctly identified and portrayed from the story. The quotes and/or explanations may be minimal or inaccurate for the characteristics being depicted. | 1 common characteristics of a everyman hero are correctly identified and portrayed from the story. The quotes/and or explanations may be inaccurate, missing, or too limited to score. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate to the work of literature. It is evident that the student spent a lot of time, creativity, and effort into carefully crafting each artistic depiction. | The art chosen to depict the scenes should be historically appropriate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. It is evident that the student stayed on task and put time and effort into crafting each artistic depiction. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate, but there are serious deviations that cause confusion or inaccuracies. The student may not have paid much attention to detail in crafting each depiction, and there may be evidence of rushing or limited effort. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically inappropriate, missing, or too limited to score. It is evident that the student did not put a lot of time, effort, and creativity into crafting each artistic depiction. |
| English Conventions | Ideas and quotes are organized. Displays control of grammar, usage, and mechanics. Shows careful proofreading. | Ideas and quotes are organized. Contains few errors in grammar, usage and mechanics. Shows some proofreading. | Ideas and quotes are organized. Contains errors in grammar, usage and mechanics which interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. | Contains too many errors in grammar, usage and mechanics; (and/or) errors seriously interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. |
How Tos about Morrie as the Everyday Hero
Use picture books to introduce the everyday hero concept
Start with relatable stories by sharing picture books that feature everyday heroes. This helps students easily grasp the idea before connecting it to more complex texts like Tuesdays with Morrie.
Facilitate a class brainstorm of everyday heroes in real life
Encourage students to share examples of people they know who show courage, kindness, or stand up for their beliefs. This personalizes the concept and makes it more meaningful.
Create a classroom Everyday Hero Wall
Dedicate space for students to post drawings, photos, or short notes about everyday heroes from their lives or community. This ongoing activity reinforces the message and builds classroom culture.
Guide students in identifying everyday hero traits in texts
Model how to spot qualities like bravery, compassion, or integrity in characters. Use anchor charts and group discussions to help students recognize these traits in various stories.
Assign reflective journaling about students’ own hero moments
Invite students to write about times when they acted with courage or kindness. This boosts self-awareness and helps them connect personally to the everyday hero theme.
Frequently Asked Questions about Morrie as the Everyday Hero
What is an everyday hero in literature?
An everyday hero in literature is an ordinary person who, when faced with extraordinary situations, demonstrates courage, moral integrity, and selflessness despite lacking traditional heroic traits or superhuman abilities.
How does Morrie from Tuesdays with Morrie exemplify an everyday hero?
Morrie exemplifies an everyday hero by bravely facing illness, showing compassion toward others, upholding his beliefs, and offering life lessons—proving that heroism can be found in ordinary acts and moral courage.
What are five common characteristics of an everyman hero?
Five key characteristics of an everyman hero include bravery, determination despite fear, upstanding character, compassion, and standing up for beliefs—traits that make them relatable and inspiring.
How can students create a storyboard about Morrie as an everyday hero?
Students can create a storyboard by identifying events or traits from the memoir that illustrate Morrie's heroism, such as his bravery, compassion, and moral convictions, and describing each in a visual cell with a short explanation.
Why is Morrie considered brave despite his illness?
Morrie is considered brave because he faces his terminal illness with purpose and openness, continuing to teach and share wisdom despite fear and physical decline.
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Tuesdays with Morrie
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