''An Old Man'' is a short story by Guy de Maupassant. In this shorter-than-short story, Maupassant tackles themes of death, mortality, and self-importance. Through M. Daron, Maupassant questions what makes life worth living. Is it the amount of time spent on earth, or is it the extent to which the individual has enjoyed the time spent? The author suggests that the latter is the better option by characterizing his protagonist as a self-important, controlling, lonely man.