The Effects of Old Age in Corporal Brewster in Waterloo

Corporal Brewster is an old man aged about ninety, but he still thinks he is as young as he was in the army. Becoming an old is the ongoing process that no one can escape. When the man becomes old, the ravages of time are all too evident. The Corporal walks unsteadily.


Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

He's very thin, bent and his hair is white and his face is wrinkled. Life does not seem very long to him. He may be over ninety, but he thinks that he got his salary only yesterday and he still feels the smell of the burned powder on his nose. He seems obsessed with curious ideas. He repeats himself quite often. He is hard of hearing, and he blames others for not talking loud enough. He says that he gets energy from food. He is impatient for food, and abuses the family members if they are a bit late to serve him food. He is especially worried about the cold weather because of his old age.

He is surprised at the rapid progress in the world. He lives in his memories of the grand past life. He can't accept any change so easily. He is rather conservative. He thinks that what he did in the past is right and the later developments are nonsense. Innovations like the railways disturb him, and the improvements in military organization and technology leave him bewildered and skeptical. But he is touched by the generosity of the young, and is happy when assured that his hope will be fulfilled. He remains a patriotic person till he breathes his last.

Waterloo Study Center

Summary of Waterloo

Meeting of Norah Brewster and Archie McDonald

Character Sketch of Corporal Brewster

Biography of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

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