tone of The Moon is Down

The tone of a book really effects how the reader will receive the book and the story. The tone used in "The Moon is Down" by John Steinbeck is very serious, narrative, and climatic. I think the tone is more a serious tone because of the lack of humor. I was kind of expecting this though considering the setting and the serious plot. The plot of this book is about a group of Nazis that invade a small coal-mining village somewhere in Europe and try to take over and control the people, while the townspeople try to maintain their freedom and begin to revolt. The time period that this all takes place in is the early days of World War II so it was stressful and uncertain times that were not full of a lot of joy and humor. I think Steinbeck did the right thing by keeping the tone serious in a way to respect the events and capture what it was like during this part in history. Another tone that was used in "The Moon is Down" is narrative. I think this tone fit well with this type of book. The reason I say it is like a narrative is because along with the history of the beginning of World War II, there is a story going on in this book. The story has great characters, an interesting plot, and is what really makes the history with it, easier to understand and relate to. Lastly, another tone that I think is present in "The Moon is Down" is climatic. This is something I think is used through the entire book up until the very end. Examples of this tone would be before and during the trial of Alexander Morden. It was very sad and led up to a dramatic death by public execution. Another example of this I thought was used was during the part of the book where Molly visited with Lieutenant Tonder. This part of the book made me anxious and it led up to the murder of the lieutenant.

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