Characters
What do you want, Mary? Do you want the moon? If you want it, I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down for you. Hey! That's a pretty good idea! I'll give you the moon, Mary.
— George Bailey · It's a Wonderful Life
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
George is romancing Mary with wildly extravagant promises. If she wants the moon, he'll lasso it and haul it down. Then he seems delighted by his own idea, which makes the gesture sweet and a little goofy.
Context reviewed