The quote from Joyce Carol Oates' "The Doll-Master: And Other Tales of Terror" highlights the inherent absurdity of the prices associated with beautiful but seemingly useless items, such as rare books. It suggests that these prices are not based on objective worth but rather stem from subjective human desires and the need to seek validation through the possessions that society values. This reliance on societal judgment often leads people to covet items simply because they are deemed valuable by others, creating a distorted sense of worth.

Oates further emphasizes the psychological aspect of value perception, illustrating how humans are driven by their emotions and social influences when it comes to evaluating possessions. This reflects a deeper commentary on human nature, where the desire to fit in or be seen as sophisticated can lead to a longing for things that hold no intrinsic utility. Thus, the obsession with rarity and beauty, especially in the context of collectibles like books, becomes a manifestation of human imagination and the inherent absurdity of material value.