In Samuel Beckett's "First Love and Other Novellas," love is portrayed as an alien concept, akin to a distant land that is difficult to access or understand. The notion that love varies significantly from what is typically perceived emphasizes the complexity and subjectiveness of emotional experiences. Beckett suggests that the images and expressions of love we often receive are akin to postcards from this foreign land, conveying only snippets of a deeper reality that remains largely inaccessible.

This metaphor underlines the idea that genuine love is inherently elusive and can be distorted in translation. The use of postcards symbolizes the limitations of communication, where the true essence of love can be overshadowed by superficial interpretations. Beckett challenges readers to consider the authentic nature of their emotions, suggesting that love, in its truest form, is often lost in the way society packages and conveys it, leaving individuals yearning for a more profound connection.