---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For instance,\" said the boy again, \"if…"
description: "\"For instance,\" said the boy again, \"if Christmas trees were people and people were Christmas trees, we'd all be chopped down, put up in the living room..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a6/norton-juster-2113_boys_for-instance-said-the-boy-again-if-chris_1675023.jpg"
---

#  For instance," said the boy again, "if Christmas trees…

![“For instance," said the boy again, "if Christmas trees were people and people were Christmas trees, we'd all be chopped down, put up in the living room, and covered in tinsel, while the trees opened our presents." "What does that have to do with it?" asked Milo. "Nothing at all," he answered, "but…” quote by Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a6/norton-juster-2113_boys_for-instance-said-the-boy-again-if-chris_1675023.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a6/norton-juster-2113_boys_for-instance-said-the-boy-again-if-chris_1675023.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a6/norton-juster-2113_boys_for-instance-said-the-boy-again-if-chris_1675023.jpg)

> “For instance," said the boy again, "if Christmas trees were people and people were Christmas trees, we'd all be chopped down, put up in the living room, and covered in tinsel, while the trees opened our presents." "What does that have to do with it?" asked Milo. "Nothing at all," he answered, "but it's an interesting possibility, don't you think?”

[Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A whimsical analogy comparing people to Christmas trees highlights how we decorate and use each other for personal gain, then discard them.

**In simple terms:** People are used and discarded like decorations.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and value others beyond utility.

Themes

human nature materialism relationships

Mood

playful critical

Type

satirical philosophical

When to use this quote

- holiday gatherings
- consumer culture
- personal interactions

Key Concepts

utilitarianism objectification social critique

Questions to Reflect On

- How do we treat others when they serve our needs?
- What does this say about societal values?

A Different Perspective

The metaphor may oversimplify complex social dynamics.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

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