English Literature

To contribute towards the development of the plot and themes in literary works, authors use different stylistic devices. One such way of communicating the message to the reader is molding the characters or portraying them in a certain way so that a reader can relate to them in real life so that it becomes easier to interpret the words they say, the actions they do and the motivation behind these.

In The Moon is Down, John Steinbeck intended to mobilize the masses to resist invasion by the Nazis. The novel describes the circumstances of a small town in Scandinavia experiencing the effects of the Second World War. One of the towns trusted residents is a spy for the occupying force, and through his help, the invaders are able to wage a war on the towns residents, overrunning its villages and exploiting all its resources. The importance of the small town is the coal mine that the occupying force wants to seize so that it can forcefully exploit its resources to obtain fuel for its war machinery elsewhere. The head of the invaders is a man named Colonel Lanser and immediately after the successful invasion, he and his men establish the center of their operations in the house of the towns mayor, Orden. The inhabitants of the town are very fond of their mayor. Steinbeck carefully avoids creating stereotypes of his characters. The town dwellers and members of the invading force are portrayed as possessing the basic human instincts, dreams and hopes. This creates a simple imagery that helps the readers relate to the characters as if they were real and thus be able to understand their trials and tribulations and get the message the author is trying to pass through.

The novel has only 122 pages and considering the number of characters involved in the story, the author does an excellent job in briefly describing their roles and personalities, their opinions, what they want for themselves and their communities. Steinbeck succeeds not only in giving the reader an impression of the physical and emotional attributes of each of his characters but also an insight into their thoughts, enabling him or her to gain a better understanding and appreciation of the novel.

The invaders in the story force the town dwellers to work on the coal mine. Originally, they had anticipated that their subjects would welcome their occupation and support their course but they become surprised at how hesitant they are to do this. The conquered soon start engaging in activities to boost their morale and unity so that they can rebel against their invaders. Meanwhile, the occupying forces had expected the reports of their conquests as they submitted them home would be met by jubilation that would act as a morale booster for the hardships they had had to endure. Furthermore, the thrilling reports of victories reaching them from their home country fail to console them and give them a reason to continue the occupation of the small town through the harsh winter.

During the Second World War, the Nazis, depicted as the invading force in John Steinbecks The Moon is Down, were thought of as merciless, malicious and heartless people. However, the way Steinbeck draws them in his book brings out a different side of them. In the process of their occupation of the small town, they are first shocked by the reaction of its inhabitants. The enemy forces continue to drop explosives for the laborers to sabotage the mining activities in the coal mines and the rail transport system . Rather than cooperate with them, the towns dwellers would rather starve. The nature of this revolt awakens a softer side of the Nazi fighters as they show much compassion to their subjects. The occupiers feel so lonely, isolated and threatened due to increasing acts of the rebellion. They are soon forced to kidnap the mayor and several of his friends to gain a ticket for their own safety.

The way John Steinbeck chooses and draws his characters for this novel is based on the circumstances he was attempting to replicate. The events are real and the characters are so also, helping the reader gain more interest in reading the story. Some authors would rather use exaggerated characters and themes to pass the message on to their readers, ultimately compromising the delivery of the theme but in The Moon is Down, Steinbeck models his characters in line with real people. The reader is therefore better equipped through the characters to relate to the story.

The Moon is Down was written as a propaganda tool to rally people behind the efforts of the Allied forces to battle the Nazis during the Second World War. In my opinion, Steinbeck used characterization the way he did in an attempt to replicate the real scenario as it was happening on the ground and achieve his objectives. Reading this novel, an ordinary citizen living in Allied territory would be urged by his conscience to aid in the fight, while a Nazi soldier would contemplate on the significance of the war they were fighting.