Analysis of the short story 'Noel'

The seventeen children are being prone, to very objectifying and dehumanizing behavior, by several adults in their presence. They're treated like a car, ready to be rented out over the holidays. An example of this could be, when Mrs. Overton says: “we have a wonderful selection of girls” (ll. 12) it’s also shown when it says: “(the repeat customers, who each year made up a majority of the business, had reserved their “Kristmas Kid” by name, weeks in advance, and had come by in the morning for express pick-up) most of those now arriving to browse over the leftovers were last minute shoppers”(ll. 33-37). The first example (ll.12) is interesting because Mrs. Overton presents the girls like a clothing assistant and would present her selection of clothing (here is our selection of evening gowns), with a cold voice but elegant body language. This is also where you get a sensation as a reader, that she is in it to sell it, and only for the money. In the second example (ll.33-37), the author uses lots of business terms, but if you read those words out of context, you will automatically be thinking about shopping, or purchasing new items. These children are not seen as human beings in the story, but as items to be rented out to childless "shoppers." In the minds of the matrons, all that matters is that the children look good and are attractive to potential clients.