Double Flee A

a reader writes in re: Godot:
""Waiting . . ." was regarded (at the time I read it, which was about 1970) as the "quintessential existential " play. I later read another short piece of his, and it was in much the same voice and persona. I remember that play as the one from which the phrase about contemplating one's navel was borrowed. That phrase turned up a lot of places for several years after that; "Waiting . . ." is a short play and when you read it you will understand several things. Like why the phrase was borrowed, for one thing.
Beckett said things well, sometimes, and when people find a thing well said they tend to use it until it's downright hackneyed. Trouble is, it was a well-said thing in the first place and all that repeating it kind of messes things up. Sort of like Pachelbel's Greatest Hit, the Canon in D. It's in the elevator now."

Not there yet, but we're a step closer to solving the mystery. Thanks.

posted by dale @ 9:19 AM