41 In conclusion, Morrie
‟s views on death come from implementing the value of rational approach. Different from the society who looks on death with a negative view
and to be afraid of it, Morrie uses the value of rational approach in looking death positively. According to him, death is a part of the nature and so death is as natural as
life. Besides, people can learn how to die in order to have a peace idea of death by imagining having a little bird on their shoulder and ask it whether today is the day
they die. Through this way, they will also learn how to live. Furthermore, Morrie thinks that death constitutes a part of the deal that people have made with God.
Hence, he is not afraid of death and does not worry of it. From what Morrie has said about the value, one of his characteristics can be
identified. Through his speech about death, it can be concluded that Morrie is a smart person. He makes use of the Buddhist
‟s teaching to prepare his own death. Besides, through direct comments, the author says that Morrie
“borrows” freely from all religions. He enjoys some Buddhism and Christianity philosophies, meanwhile he is
born Jewish Albom 81-82. It shows that Morrie likes to study, in this case, about other religions, so that he has his own view of them and
is able to “borrow” the teaching for goodness.
2. Value of Progress
Morrie‟s personal view of value of progress emphasizes that having more and more money or stuffs does not bring about satisfaction. As explained in the
previous part, the value of progress may lead people to expansiveness. The society tends to want something over and over to get satisfaction and thus do not know
what actually important for them. Whereas, the satisfaction cannot be obtained from those things.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
42 “The truth is, you don‟t get satisfaction from those things. You know what
really gives you satisfaction?” What?
“Offering others what you have to give.” You sound like a Boy Scout.
“I don‟t mean money, Mitch. I mean your time. Your concern. Your storytelling. …” Albom 126
Toward this value, Morrie thinks that satisfaction does not come from getting things more and more. However, it comes from contributing what we have to others,
not only money, but also our time and our concern. Besides, he also says that we have to do things sincerely from our hearts. When we do this, we will not dissatisfied,
envious, and want somebody else‟s things. Instead, we will be surprised of what we
receive after doing the kind things Albom 128. From Morrie‟s speech about the value, it can be concluded that Morrie is a
deep-thought and generous person. He has understood that searching more and more material things cannot give people satisfaction. Satisfaction may be achieved by
offering others what we have to give. Here, he does not refer to material things to give to others, but our concern and time. Furthermore, we have to do things sincerely
so that we will never feel dissatisfied and never want to possess things over and over.
3. Value of Individual Success
Morrie does not agree with the value of individual success that the society shows. This is because according to him, the value of individual success may lead
people to be mean to others. When someone cannot achieve this value, he or she may feel threatened and becomes vicious to other people to reach success. Hence, Morrie
does not follow the culture Albom 154. According to Morrie, he has to make his own culture. To him, how we think
and what we value must be determined by ourselves.
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43 “Here‟s what I mean by building your own little subculture,” Morrie said. “I
don‟t mean you disregard every rule of your community. I don‟t go around naked, for example. I don‟t run through red lights. The little things, I can
obey. But the big things – how we think, what we value – those you must
choose yourself. You can‟t let anyone – or any society – determine those for
you.” Albom 154-155 From the evidence presented above, it can be concluded that Morrie does not
agree with how the society shows the value of individual success. Thus, he has a view that people should have their own culture where they can determine by themselves
what they think and what they value for reaching individual success. People may become ambitious in reaching individual success. According to
Morrie, when someone starts thinking about his own death, he will not be ambitious. He will have time to prepare his death by listening
to “the bird on his shoulder” so that he can do the best things in his life. Morrie tells Mitch about this issue,
“Well, the truth is, if you really listen to that bird on your shoulder, if you accept that you
can die at any time – then you might not be as ambitious as you are” Albom 83.
Morrie has been doing this preparation of death so that he realizes what he really needs in his life and makes the best of it.
Through his speech about the value of individual success, it can be concluded that Morrie is a brave
person. He has decided not to believe in the prevailing culture in the society and has built his
own “little subculture”. Besides, he has courage to determine what he thinks and values by himself. Morrie also thinks that preparing
death is a way to be not ambitious so that we can do our best in our lives.
4. Value on Working
