He looked ninety years old for thirty years and then he got the notion that he would die, and did so.
The quote from Richard Brautigan's "Trout Fishing in America" captures the essence of aging and mortality. It painting a vivid picture of a person who appears to have aged prematurely, as if life weighed heavily upon him for much longer than his actual years. The idea suggests a sense of inevitability in life’s progression, pointing towards the eventual acceptance of death.
Moreover, the notion that he developed a belief in his impending death and then succumbed reflects the psychological side of aging and the influence of thought on reality. It emphasizes how one’s mindset can affect their experience of life, particularly as they confront the end. Brautigan's writing often intertwines themes of existential reflection with the simplicity of everyday experiences, making profound statements on the human condition.