What does the story finally have to say about: success and failure? -about the power of love? -about the importance of human community? about the relationship between life and death?

In the story, we learn numerous things about the power of love. Love has the power to lift one up, to make people feel good about themselves. It also has the power to heal, something that is illustrated through Mr. Sweet's various bouts with illness, and the way he physically responds to the love of his neighbors..... they help him heal, in many ways, their love keeps him alive.