“He lived in a comfortable house surrounded by a green lawn and wide-spreading shade trees that were suitable for climbing. His mother was gentle as well as practical. His father, when he didn’t have to hurry to town, spent hours telling John interesting things about baseball, beetles, birds’ nests, boats, brigands, and butterflies.”

These lines from the opening chapter set up John’s world. He lives in a town that could be any town. The author doesn’t give a name or exact location because they don’t matter in the context of the story, and omitting these details allows readers to picture the story happening wherever it makes sense to them. John’s parents are similarly unremarkable. They’re average people who could be anyone’s parents, allowing readers to assign them appearances that align with their view.

“He told John to sit down and relax. Then he picked up a small rubber-headed hammer and gave John a light tap on the right knee, just below the joint. John’s foot gave a weak kick. John giggled.

‘It’s nothing to laugh about,’ Mr. Midas said.

‘No, John,’ the doctor reproved him. ‘A healthy little boy who didn’t eat too much candy would kick harder than that.’

‘I’m sorry,’ John said politely. ‘But I can kick harder if you want me to.’ He gave a sudden high kick, which knocked the hammer out of Dr. Cranium’s hand. It landed on its rubber head and bounced across the room.”

Here, Dr. Cranium gives John a standard checkup, including the test for reflexes. Dr. Cranium’s lecture supports the book’s theme The Dangers of Excess, and John’s response to it shows that he doesn’t care about what the doctor says. Since John can kick hard enough to knock the hammer away, he doesn’t think anything is wrong with eating so much candy.

“‘You’ve been eating so much sweet stuff,’ Mr. Midas added, ‘that there isn’t room for eggs and meat and milk and bread and spinach and apples and fish and bananas and all the other things you’re supposed to have to make you grow big and strong.’

‘I like bananas,’ John said. ‘Especially in thin slices covered with chocolate. They’re called Banana Surprises.’”

This conversation between John and his father comes after the visit to Dr. Cranium. John’s father tries to impress the importance of a balanced diet on John by listing important foods. Similar to his response to the reflex test, John focuses on something that lets him justify eating lots of candy.