Morrie believes modern culture, especially that in America, encourages people to become materialistic. Droning “More is good. More is good” (141), the system brainwashes us into yearning for possessions. Some people become fabulously rich while others languish in poverty, and most workers live in a constant state of selfish anxiety. Trapped in this state, most people forget what’s really important: love, caring, and contribution to others. Morrie prescribes a regimen of careful pondering over what one really wants from life and deliberate stepping away from the culture of greed. He believes people can invent their own culture, inhabit it, and experience value and meaning outside the popular culture, especially if their values include loving others. 

Morrie loves to eat. He often talks with his mouth full, bits of food dribbling out. As a student, Albom found this a bit gross but also funny and charming. When he visits Morrie during his final illness, Albom always brings food. At first, they enjoy it together, but soon Morrie can no longer eat solid things. The food accumulates in the refrigerator, uneaten. Thereafter, Albom continues to bring food as a kind of symbolic offering, a way of trying to help in any way he can.