Themes
Popular Culture vs. Self-Created Values
Morrie emphasized the importance of creating or adopting our own values. He explained that we shouldn't be pressured or influenced by society because we are entitled to our own opinions. Society should not dictate our beliefs nor influence popular values onto us. Morrie sees popular culture as a catalyst for greed and violence. In the beginning of the novel, Mitch explains how he is disgusted that he desires financial success and material goods. Morrie taught Mitch to create his own values in order prevent any societal driven desires. In order to be an individual, we must reject what others expect or want us to believe and develop our own values. This way, we become true individuals not influenced by society.
Morrie emphasized the importance of creating or adopting our own values. He explained that we shouldn't be pressured or influenced by society because we are entitled to our own opinions. Society should not dictate our beliefs nor influence popular values onto us. Morrie sees popular culture as a catalyst for greed and violence. In the beginning of the novel, Mitch explains how he is disgusted that he desires financial success and material goods. Morrie taught Mitch to create his own values in order prevent any societal driven desires. In order to be an individual, we must reject what others expect or want us to believe and develop our own values. This way, we become true individuals not influenced by society.
Love
In the novel, Morrie repeatedly says to "love each other or die." Morrie's childhood lacked a lot of love and affection which is why Morrie wants to be surrounded by love and to give love to make up for the lack of it during his childhood. He explained how his step-mother Eva was his first experience of love and compassion.
Love is also emphasized by Morrie now more than ever because of the love others gave him during the final days of his life. He explained how people took care of him unconditionally and without the care of those people, he would surely die. Morrie wants to instill love into Mitch and allow him to understand how important it is to love and be loved by others throughout life.
In the novel, Morrie repeatedly says to "love each other or die." Morrie's childhood lacked a lot of love and affection which is why Morrie wants to be surrounded by love and to give love to make up for the lack of it during his childhood. He explained how his step-mother Eva was his first experience of love and compassion.
Love is also emphasized by Morrie now more than ever because of the love others gave him during the final days of his life. He explained how people took care of him unconditionally and without the care of those people, he would surely die. Morrie wants to instill love into Mitch and allow him to understand how important it is to love and be loved by others throughout life.