In chapter two of The Moon is Down we are introduced to the characters of Colonel Lanser's troop of soldiers. Captain Bentick is an older soldier who is still in his rank of Captain from "A curious lack of ambition" (Steinbeck 20). Bentick is the soldier who first met with Mayor Orden and Dr. Winter to check for firearms, before Colonel Lanser steps in. Major Hunter is a very logical man. He works as an engineer who designs for their mission. He says that he has a model train line at home and he wants to build a bridge for it. He seems to not really enjoy his time in the military. Captain Loft is the youngest officer on the mission. Loft loves the military, he believes that a soldier is the "highest development of animal life". (Steinbeck 21). He will make a career out of his time in the military, and probably stay there until he dies or has to retire from the service. Lieutenant Prackle is a very good artist who has several good looking sisters that he is very protective of. Lieutenant Tonder is a poet. He is a dark romantic who imagines these big elaborate fantasies for his life. "He imagined his death very ofter, lighted by a fair setting sun which glinted on broken military equipment, his men standing silently around him, with heads sunk low" (Steinbeck 22).
Obviously the Leader that these men refer to is the idea of Hitler. The Leader has not been given a name, and probably will not be. Lanser suggests to Corell that he should be sent away and be given a different task. Corell thinks that he will be fine because the people of the town are peaceful. Already we know this is not true because the people threw rocks at Corell's head and a miner murdered Bentick. These soldiers are not prepared for the people of this town's reaction. I am not sure how yet, but something major will have to happen in the book to the soldiers to convince them that these people care about being invaded.
Steinbeck, John. The Moon Is Down. New York: Penguin Classics, 1942. Print.
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