In Samuel Beckett's "First Love and Other Novellas," a striking quote expresses a profound disconnection from life. The narrator prefers the scent of death and decay over the smells associated with the living. This unsettling preference highlights a deep sense of alienation and perhaps a longing for the peace that comes with the inevitability of death.

This perspective invites readers to contemplate the nature of existence and the often-overwhelming sensations tied to being alive. Beckett’s exploration of such themes reflects his characteristic existential viewpoint, where the focus shifts from the vibrancy of life to the tranquility found in what is no longer living.