The Moon is Down question #6

"The Moon is Down" by John Steinbeck was written in 1941 and published in 1942. That means this book has been around for seventy years exactly. There must be a reason we still read this book today, and there is. I think the main reason this book is still read today is because of its historical plot. The plot in this book is about World War II and the early days of what was going on in the 1940s. "The Moon is Down" is about a group of Nazis who have invaded a small coal-mining village and their control over the townspeople, while the townspeople try to maintain their freedom and begin to revolt against their oppressors. I think the message of this book is that unity can be one of the most powerful things. I got this message from the way the townspeople reacted. Individually, the townspeople were struggling with over coming their oppressors. An example of this would be Alexander Morden. Alexander's attempt in sticking up for himself and his freedom was a failure which resulted in his public execution. His death, however, was what kind of brought everyone together. When the townspeople came together though through this, and also with a great help from the blue parachutes with dynamite, they had more success. The unity of everyone working together is what gave them the opportunity to take on the Nazis and destroy their rail road tracks, thus beginning their revolution. Another reason I think this book is still read is because of its timeless characters. A few of these would be Mayor Orden, Molly Morden, and Lieutenant Tonder. Mayor Orden was an enjoyable character because of his actions. He was just a good, noble man and can relate to people through the years easily. Then there is Molly. I really enjoyed Molly's character because of her independence as a woman. I admired that she did not give up when her husband was killed and could take care of herself and then later revenge him. Lieutenant Tonder was also a timeless character. I think his sensitivity and honest nature makes him likable and shows that the soldiers are humans too.

Steinbeck, John. The Moon Is Down, by John Steinbeck,... Stockholm: Continental Book C°, 1949. Print.