In Cormac McCarthy's "Suttree," a character reflects on the inevitability of time and decay, emphasizing the enduring nature of certain experiences. He expresses a sentiment that what they have witnessed will remain significant despite the ravages of time. This contemplative attitude clashes with the despair felt by a younger observer beside him who is grappling with the stark reality of life's decline. The youth is disturbed by the visible signs of aging and the metaphorical draining of life.

The imagery used by McCarthy illustrates a bleak view of existence, as the comparison of life to "night-soil from a cesspipe" evokes a sense of repulsion and futility. The young man's realization that life is fleeting and in decline sharply contrasts with the older man's philosophical musings. The ticking clock symbolizes the relentless passage of time, leading to the contemplation of what truly measures existence—the life lived or the passage of time itself.