| A | B |
| the media | inherently evil |
| reincarnation and renewal | facets of both life and death |
| the food | serves as a reminder of the past |
| pink hibiscus plant | used as a metaphor Morrie's life and life itself |
| Waves on the ocean | Morrie as he is on the brink of crashing into a theoretical shore, a symbol of death |
| Morries Bed | surrender to death by forfeiting simple enjoyments |
| rejection of Popular cultural Mores in favor of self created values | each lesson contributes to a larger message |
| love or perish | in the absence of love there is a void that can only be filled by loving human relationships |
| acceptance through detachment | one should not cling to things |