The Moon is Down #3

The Moon is Down by John Steinbeck has a different type of theme than normal books. The novel was written during World War II for the sole purpose of being used as propaganda in countries in Western Europe. The books theme is about people rising above their conquerors and resisting their rule. Steinbeck wrote the novel to try and inspire the people in other invaded countries to try and resist their enemies, and give them hope for the end of the war. Hope seems lost in the townspeople when winter hits until these little parachutes start coming down out of the sky. They have two small packages attached: a piece of chocolate and a small stick of dynamite. There are instructions on how to use the dynamite and where to place it and light the explosives. The enemy soldiers start to become very nervous with this new power in the hands of the townspeople. The soldiers arrest Mayor Orden and Doctor Winter, to try and fend off the happening of a revolt. The last passage of the novel is there to really represent the reality of a revolt against the enemy, and to keep pushing forward for freedom, "Will you remember to pay the debt?' Winter closed his eyes for a moment before he answered, 'The debt shall be paid.'" (Steinbeck 112).

Another theme the book represents is the effects war has on people. You can tell that when the enemy comes in they are strong and confident, but as the townspeople begin to hate them, their confidence wavers. They become sad and wish to go home, and start being afraid of the people they conquered. The townspeople are the complete opposite of the soldiers. They become invaded and are scared by the enemy when hey start shooting people. After the parachutes arrive the townspeople's confidence is renewed. The novel shows the differences of how the enemy and the townspeople are affected by the war.

Steinbeck, John. The Moon Is Down. New York: Penguin Classics, 1942. Print.