28 says that values exist in everything which is useful, admirable, and which makes
people want to possess it. Through this idea, values in every person may be different since he might have different assumptions of what are considered useful, admirable,
and so deserve to be possessed. According to Fichter 308-310, American people, who consist of various
ethnic groups and cultures, share the values that are called “an ultimate core” of
values. The values are the value of rational approach to life, the value of progress, the value of individual success, the value on working and the value of freedom for the
individual. Other values in American culture are proposed by Stewart namely individualism value 71 and the value of measurable achievement 41.
Values in a society are in actions of the society itself. Some values are used by the society to justify their actions. Thus, actions from a society may reflect values that
their share Stewart 17-19. In this study, actions from a society containing American values are going to be explained. The American values portrayed in the novel are
explained in detail as follows:
1. Value of Rational Approach to Life
American people are described to share the value of rational approach to life. It is conveyed when Mitch and Morrie talk about death. Morrie says that the society
has been afraid of dying without really understanding it Albom 11-12. When a death happens, the society tends to make a commotion of it. It happens because they think
that human is something above nature, instead of becoming part of the nature. He says,
“The fact that we make such a big hullabaloo over it is all because we don‟t see ourselves as part of nature. We think because we‟re human we‟re something above
nature” Albom 173. This is related to the value of rational approach to life. This
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29 value has led the American people to think in reasonable ways so that they feel apart
from the nature. Also, they choose scientific ways in life, such as for solving their problems Fichter 309. These scientific ways of thinking make them have no idea of
death. One day, Morrie says to Mitch that nobody believes in death even though
everyone knows that they are going to die Albom 80. This constitutes Morrie‟s view
of his society. Morrie adds that the society faces death as if it is contagious. He tells a story about how people facing death that when someone dies in a hospital, they cover
the body immediately with a sheet and put it in a chute. He says, “I read a book the
other day. It said as soon as someone dies in a hospital, they pull the sheets up over their head, and they wheel the body to some chute
and push it down. They can‟t wait to get it out of their sight. People act as if death is contagious
” Albom 172. Another thing that makes the people afraid of death is that they do not have a
peaceful idea of dying. Whereas, by having a peaceful idea of dying, they will make peace of living as well, which is a hard thing to do.
“That‟s what we‟re all looking for. A certain peace with the idea of dying. If we know, in the end, that we can ultimately have that peace with dying, then
we can finally do the re ally hard thing.”
Which is? “Make peace with living.” Albom 173
From the proofs presented above, the value of rational approach to life is
perceived among American people. They use the value to view on death. This value has put the society to think in scientific ways so that they do not think of being a part
of the nature. This concept makes people afraid of death and not believe that they are going to die.
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30
2. Value of Progress
