Life Sentence

"Life Sentence" by James V. McConnell is a science fiction story that dives into the complex issues of growing old, the end of life, and the longing for independence in a world where people are always taken care of by the government. Our protagonist, Oliver Symmes, is an old man stuck in a hospital for the elderly. He thinks about his previous life and deals with his physical limits along with strong feelings of being let down due to a crime he committed when he was young. Oliver's difficult past comes back to him as he lives in a future where death is almost unheard of. After killing someone when he was younger, Oliver's life sentence is now within a hospital that keeps him alive even if he's not happy. He remembers moments of love and being young, which clashes with his current situation. Oliver's struggle showcases the human desire to live but also the need to stop suffering. His failed attempts to escape this forced existence highlight the irony of living a life without satisfaction and the fight against being controlled.