The Moon is Down by John Steinbeck (Essay Sample)

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The Moon is Down by John Steinbeck
Introduction
The work of John was first published in 1942 addressing issues of that time in history as the Second World War raged (Steinbeck 115). However, his work remains relevant to current readers with strong encouragement messages. John Steinbeck’s book presents a story of attacks by foreign militia to a remote coastal town in Europe. He does not give details of neither the country nor the town’s identities, and the period of attack. The main aim of the attack is to gain access to coal, which is the main natural resource in the town. The attack changes the lives of the citizens of the town within a limited period. Before the invasion the town was democratic and its residents enjoyed freedom that lasted only until the militia invaded the town (Coerse 110). These attacks resulted to the locals of the town becoming answerable to foreigners in helmets who snatched them their freedom. The author unveils the twisted human nature whereby the natives of the town become enraged looking for their own freedom by destroying the attackers while the invaders gain empathy after considering the pain they have caused to a once calm town (Forster 27). An analysis of the book, ‘The Moon is Down’, reveals how it aims at addressing the impacts of war on the human emotions.
The Book Posture
The book is posed as propaganda during the Second World War with an aim of encouraging the town dwellers invaded by militia. The first chapter of the book introduces the reader to a town attacked by a Nazi group. A well known shopkeeper in the town, Corell George, ensured that policemen, postman, and the town’s soldiers were away at the time of invasion (Demott 54). This gives the assailants an easy time to triumph over the peaceful town.
The Town’s History and Resources
The town has lived in harmony for many years and lacks knowledge on how to handle the attack. The assailants’ main target in the town is coal. They do not demand it directly, but later on the natives discover that the authoritarian principles of the invaders were as a result of their interest in the town’s natural resource (Alexander 95). One of the aggressors is killed by a miner, Alexander Mordern. This leads to the trial of Alexander and a verdict to kill him by firing is passed which led to retaliation by a local who harms lieutenant Prackle (Steinbeck 87). The invaders declare war from this point and they start by unarming all the locals through confiscation of their weapons. They vow to ensure they conquer the town as planned and threaten the locals with brutality in case any actions of vengeance happen.
Human Nature Twists
The town experiences a cold winter as months heave by secret opposition movements. The operations of the mines often stopped as cases of accidents increased at the sites. As events continue to unfold, some of the locals covertly seek refuge elsewhere out of the town. The strategy of the invaders to use violence and brutal handling of the people less affected the townspeople chilly compliance (Gimlich 34). As the natives of the town undergo pain, also the militias are suffering, living with doubt and fear wishing to be with their families and they feel lonely in the battle fields. Annie visits Morden one night to notify Molly of a secret meeting to be done at her house. This is because of the planned escape of the Anders boys who are also arranging to evade with Corell. Tonder, the Lieutenant, passes by and he reveals to her he is lonely (Steinbeck 68). The planned secret meeting is done, but when Tonder returns with hopes of making love to her, Molly picks a pair of scissors with the intention of killing him. In heavy winter, dynamite kits are dropped by planes at night. These kits give instructions to the townspeople on how to attack the soldiers with explosives. Lanser the Colonel discovers that intense steps have to be made or else they are losing authority over the town. It is learned that devious Corell has been connecting with the headquarters and monitoring the people of the town. Corell is in possession of documents from the headquarters that provides him with power over Colonel Lanser.
Final Verdict
Eventually, Lanser has to obey commands that demands Mayor Orden and Doctor Winter has to be held captive and executed if the dynamites are utilized by the locals. The last chapter of the story a recitation of Socrates words is done by Colonel Lanser, Mayor Morden, and Doctor Winter (Steinbeck 115).in the last scene of the book explosions occur, some from the coal mine fields and others from the palace as well.
Main Theme
The main theme of the story by John Steinbeck is to encourage regions attacked by soldiers as the World War II took place. It was first posed as a propaganda novel at the time of the War and it did not receive much audience as anticipated. The book gives hope and emphasis on not giving up without fighting back whenever humans are attacked. The book’s theme was relevant to the readers back in history just the same way it is to the contemporary world. Steinbeck uses the story to contradict the obvious human nature of submission whenever they are invaded. He reckons on the human emotions and feelings that should be utilized well in reasoning rather than just following other forces mindlessly. He acknowledges the human feelings that are alert to conflict with those of who try to attack us. The development of the story demonstrates such feelings in the townspeople when they eventually retaliate to the invasions. This is confirmed by the Mayors words, "My people do not like to have others think for them. May be they are different from your people." (Steinbeck 17). The locals were united and rebellious to the foreigners. Lieutenant Tondler got worried of losing their control over the town saying, "Flie...