Aisle Quote by Simon Neil
“Once after Barefoot In the Park had been playing for about a week I went back to see it, watching the audience, which was just falling over laughing except for one guy sitting the aisle. I was transfixed. I said to myself, there seems to be no way to get to him. No one else would I watch except this one man. My wife joined me about 20 minutes later and asked me how it was going, and I said, terrible. I really meant it. There was no way to get to this man. It destroyed me.”
About This Quote
Source Play: Barefoot in the Park by Neil Simon, 1963
The narrator feels isolated because he cannot connect with a single audience member who seems detached, highlighting the frustration of unreciprocated attention.
In simple terms: Feeling alone despite a crowd.
Key Takeaway
Seek genuine connection, not just observation.
Themes
isolation
communication
empathy
Mood
conflicted
lonely
Type
observational
personal
When to use this quote
- theater attendance
- social gatherings
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
social dynamics
audience perception
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you bridge gaps with distant observers?
- What prevents you from reaching out?
A Different Perspective
Connection may be limited by personal barriers, not just audience size.
![“In modern day evangelism, this precious doctrine [of regeneration] has been reduced to nothing more than a human decision to raise one's hand, walk an aisle, or pray a 'sinner's prayer.' As a result, the majority of Americans believe that they've been 'born again' even though their thoughts…” quote by Paul Washer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4b4/paul-washer-1468_aisle_in-modern-day-evangelism-this-precious-d_218599.jpg)
