The Moon is Down question #8

I think the events in "The Moon is Down" by John Steinbeck reflect events in history very well. This book was written in 1941 and published in 1942. The main historical event going on during this time period is World War II. This was a major influence on the story and what the plot is based off of. One way the book represents this event in history is through the characters. Colonel Lanser, Captain Bentick, Major Hunt, Captain Loft, Lieutenant Prackle, and Lieutenant Tonder are characters in the book that represent the Nazi leaders and soldiers from World War II. Another way history is reflected in this book is simply through the plot and conflict. The plot and conflict of this book takes place during the early days of World War II and is about when a group of Nazis invade a small coal-mining village in Europe and its townspeople, while the townspeople try to maintain their freedom and begin to revolt. I think Steinbeck did a very good job reflecting this event in history and it was not difficult to understand that he is referring to World War II. Responsibilties I think John Steinbeck believed existed in this society were between the Nazis and the townspeople, or the oppressors and the oppressed. As I said, the Nazis in this book were the oppressors and they used violence and punishment in attempt to control the townspeople. An example of this would be when Alexander Morden was publicly executed. Alexander was standing up for himself and his freedom and when told to go back to work, he attacked Captain Loft and in the process, killed Captain Bentick. Another responsibility Steinbeck believed existed, I think was between men and women. I think this because of the opposite roles the men and women in this book played. All of the men in the book were soldiers, or a Mayor, or workers while all of the women in the book seemed to be more of home workers. An example of these would be Lieutenant Prackle, Mayor Orden, and Alexander Morden, and then Annie, Madame, and Molly Morden. I think the people, ideas, and events of World War II was what had the most influence on John Steinbeck.


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