3. The last shot represents the island that Welsh was speaking about earlier in his discussion with Witt. Each man is an island in the world, at once a part of the world but yet separated as well. Witt became his island, a part of both his military family and after his death a part of Guadalcanal. The palm tree growing out of the beach represents the rebirth part of the cycle -- it is Witt being reborn on the island which gave him his meaning.

4. Welsh grows over the course of the movie. At one point, he discusses the meaning of...

He is not aware of the circumstances of Witt's death, so he only knows that Witt made a sacrifice in death, but does not know that he also gave the Japanese the opportunity to kill him with honor. Thus, he only has half a sense of the meaning of Witt's life and death. This creates a conflict within Welsh, in that he has little sense of his own purpose. He has made an island of himself, but ultimately does not understand the role that his life, and death, with…