In Philip Roth's "The Counterlife," the character reflects on the nature of identity and performance, suggesting that the distinct selves people consider as 'you' and 'me' do not genuinely exist. Instead, he emphasizes that what binds them together is the shared experience of their performances over time, which has become more about past routines than about their true selves.

This idea implies a sense of nostalgia and loss, as they feel trapped in a cycle of repeating their old performances rather than evolving. The notion of being ‘has-beens’ highlights a resignation to the confines of their established roles, indicating that their identities are shaped more by history and repetition than by individual authenticity.