I keep beating up on the “Last Samurai”, but many incidents stayed with me, echoing in my mind. My favorite line by Captain Algren was when Katsumoto said, do you belive in destiny? or something like that, he replied
“I think, we do what we can, and the destiny reveals itself.“
As Stephen Hawkins says, in scientific sense, there is such thing as destiny, but it might as well be that there isn’t because nobody knows until it happens.

And when Katsumoto is contemplating commiting Seppuku, which is considered honorable in Japanese culture, saying Samurai’s death is by sword, Algren urges,
“Then let it be by enemy’s sword!“
Technically, it would most likely be by bullets rather than sword, and they both knew it. But I think by then Algren understood the culture enough, and I think by saying so, he was making a pledge that he will be by Katsumoto’s side until death. The most important lesson in those words by Algren to me is “Never give up, never surrender” as you say, but in addition to that, knowing the likely ending, one choose how to live.
And as Katumoto was dying said to Algren when Algren despaired that he has once again survived when he should have died, you have something you must do still. Of course at that time, Katsumoto had no way of predicting what Algren would do later. The Algren held true to his belief, and the destiny revealed itself that he would teach the Japan’s unique culture to the young emperor, who called Katsumoto “sensei” and plead for guidance. But Katsumoto could not give guidance without being like the others.
The words pierced my heart. The emperor asked,
“Please tell me how he died“
and Algren replied
“Let me tell you how he lived.“
The irony of life. That the lessons could not be directly learned from the master, but from the disciple. That to show true love, one had to die. That heart had to be broken before the lights could come through.

You see, there are so many elements that was so true to life. But what makes me weary is my own experience. Before moving to outside of Japan, as 12-year old girl, I belived everything I read, including bunch of stories by girl’s manga and how it portrayed non-Japanese. Why, they were no different than us except the language and the way they looked, the way they dressed. Biiig mistake! Their behavior, social structure, their perception of acceptance, happiness were totally … foreign! Yes, they wanted to be popular, they wanted to be happy. But the definition of popular and happiness were entirely different. Because of this kind of experience, I trust laughter. The kind of universal laughter helps us get over our differences much easier.

Geez, what long comment I’ve written! I’m glad you’ve given me the chance to say what I wanted to say, because without your previous comment, I wouldn’t have felt the right timing to say all this!