57 pages • 1 hour read
Jeffrey Zaslow, Randy PauschThe Last Lecture
Nonfiction | Essay / Speech | Adult | Published in 2008A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Summary
Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Section 1, Chapters 1-3
Section 2, Chapters 4-5
Section 2, Chapters 6-7
Section 2, Chapters 8-11
Section 3, Chapters 12-15
Section 3, Chapters 16-19
Section 3, Chapters 20-22
Section 4, Chapters 23-24
Section 4, Chapters 25-27
Section 5, Chapters 28-31
Section 5, Chapters 32-34
Section 5, Chapters 35-37
Section 5, Chapters 38-40
Section 5, Chapters 41-45
Section 5, Chapters 46-50
Section 5, Chapters 51-55
Section 5, Chapters 56-58
Section 6, Chapters 59-61
Key Figures
Themes
Symbols & Motifs
Important Quotes
Essay Topics
Tools
BetaEssay Topics
Pausch had a few mentors in his life. What qualities did Pausch see in them that helped him in his life?
What is a “head fake”? What other sports analogies does Pausch use to illustrate life strategies, and how did they help him in his life?
How did Pausch’s parents inspire him in his life? What qualities did he inherit from them?
Pausch had several childhood dreams, but what was his ultimate life dream? Do you think he accomplished it?
Outline how Pausch used his role as a teacher to shape the lives of his students, not with academic knowledge but with important life and relationship skills.
How is The Last Lecture a gift for Pausch’s children?
One of the biggest messages in The Last Lecture is about the importance of a positive attitude. Discuss at least three personal stories in which this truth was proven in Pausch’s life.
Consider the six different sections of the book. How is unity achieved by structuring the book in this way?
Discuss the effect of Pausch including the uncomfortable, specific details of his illness. Was it necessary to include them? Why or why not?
The book The Last Lecture is much more comprehensive than the lecture it is based upon. How is the format of the book more powerful than the video of the lecture?
