I ask people why they have deer heads on their walls. They always say because it's such a beautiful animal. There you go. I think my mother is attractive, but I have photographs of her.
This quote offers a humorous and thought-provoking commentary on human perceptions of beauty and objectification. The speaker observes that people often display trophies of majestic animals, such as deer heads, claiming it's because they find these animals beautiful. This highlights how humans tend to attribute aesthetic value to living creatures, sometimes reducing them to symbols of elegance or prestige. The humorous twist at the end—comparing this to having photographs of one's attractive mother—serves as a clever analogy that challenges the way people value physical appearances. It suggests that while we may admire beauty in others, the way we often commodify or display it can be superficial or objectifying. The humor also emphasizes that beauty, whether in animals or humans, can be appreciated publicly or privately, but the underlying question is about sincerity and perception. This quote invites us to reflect on our own values—are we genuinely appreciating the beauty around us, or are we just using it to impress or elevate ourselves? It also touches on the complexity of human relationships and societal values, highlighting that what we choose to showcase says a lot about our priorities. Overall, it cleverly uses humor and analogy as tools to encourage deeper thought about appearances, admiration, and the societal tendency to valorize certain traits or objects.
---Ellen DeGeneres---
