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| '''''The Moon Is Down''''', a novella by John Steinbeck, was published by Viking Press in March 1942. The story details a military occupation of a small town in ] by the army of an unnamed nation at war with ] and ] (much like the occupation of ] by the ]s during ]). A ] translation of the book was published illegally in ]-occupied ] by ], a ] ]{{Fact|date=November 2007}}. Furthermore, numerous other editions were also secretly published across all of occupied Europe, including Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Dutch and Italian versions.{{Fact|date=November 2007}}. Without naming the occupying force as Nazis references to |
'''''The Moon Is Down''''', a novella by John Steinbeck, was published by Viking Press in March 1942. The story details a military occupation of a small town in ] by the army of an unnamed nation at war with ] and ] (much like the occupation of ] by the ]s during ]). A ] translation of the book was published illegally in ]-occupied ] by ], a ] ]{{Fact|date=November 2007}}. Furthermore, numerous other editions were also secretly published across all of occupied Europe, including Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Dutch and Italian versions.{{Fact|date=November 2007}}. Without naming the occupying force as Nazis, references to 'The Leader', 'Memories of defeats in Belgium and France 20 years ago' clearly suggest it. Written with a purpose to motivate and enthuse the resistance movements in occupied countries, it has appeared in at least 92 editions across the world, proving its popularity. {{Fact|date=November 2007}} | ||
| ==Plot summary== | ==Plot summary== | ||
Revision as of 05:42, 31 May 2009
This article is about the novel. For the album, see The Moon is Down (album). First edition cover | |
| Author | John Steinbeck |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Novel |
| Publisher | The Viking Press |
| Publication date | 1942 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 188 pp |
| ISBN | N/A Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character |
The Moon Is Down, a novella by John Steinbeck, was published by Viking Press in March 1942. The story details a military occupation of a small town in Northern Europe by the army of an unnamed nation at war with England and Russia (much like the occupation of Norway by the Germans during World War II). A French language translation of the book was published illegally in Nazi-occupied France by Les Editions de Minuit, a French Resistance publishing house. Furthermore, numerous other editions were also secretly published across all of occupied Europe, including Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Dutch and Italian versions.. Without naming the occupying force as Nazis, references to 'The Leader', 'Memories of defeats in Belgium and France 20 years ago' clearly suggest it. Written with a purpose to motivate and enthuse the resistance movements in occupied countries, it has appeared in at least 92 editions across the world, proving its popularity.
Plot summary
Taken by surprise, a small coastal town is overrun by the invading army without any resistance. The town is important because it has a coal mine. Colonel Lanser, the head of the invading battalion, along with his staff establishes his HQ in the house of Mayor Orden, the democratically elected and much-liked mayor of the town. Carefully avoiding any stereotyping, all characters- conqueror or conquered- are portrayed as human beings with their individual dreams, hopes and idiosyncrasies.
As the reality of occupation sinks in and the weather turns bleak, with the snows beginning earlier than usual, the "simple, peaceful people" of the town are angry and confused. Colonel Lanser, a veteran of many wars, tries to operate under a veil of civility and law, but in his heart he knows that "there are no peaceful people" amongst those whose freedom has been taken away by force. The veil is soon torn apart when Alexander Morden, an erstwhile alderman and "a free man," is ordered to work in the mine. He strikes out at Captain Loft, but Captain Bentick steps into his path and dies of it. After a summary trial, Morden is executed by a firing squad. This incident catalyzes the people of the town and they settle into "a slow, silent, waiting revenge." Sections of the railroad get damaged regularly, the machinery breaks down often, and the dynamo of the electricity generators gets short circuited. Whenever a soldier relaxes his guard, drinks or goes out with a woman, he gets killed. Mayor Orden stands by his people, and tries to explain to Col. Lanser that his goal - "to break man’s spirit permanently" - is impossible.
The cold weather and the constant fear weighs heavy on the occupying force, many of whom wish the war to end so that they can return home. They realize the futility of the war; they are like "flies trying to conquer the flypaper." The resistance asks England for explosives so that they can intensify their efforts. The allied planes drop small parachutes with dynamite sticks & chocolates all around the town. In a state of panic, the army takes the Mayor and his friend Dr. Winter, the town doctor and historian, hostage and lets it be known that any action from resistance will lead to their execution. Mayor Orden knows that nothing can stop his people and that his death is imminent. He tells his wife that while he can be killed, the idea of Mayor (and freedom and democracy) is beyond the reach of any army. Before his execution, Mayor Orden reminds Dr. Winter of the dialogues of Socrates in the Apology, a part he played in the high school play, and tells him to make sure that the debt is repaid to the army i.e. the resistance is continued.
Townspeople
- Mayor Orden - the mayor of the townspeople
- Doctor Winter - friend of Mayor Orden, beloved town doctor
- Joseph - a servant of the Mayor
- Annie - the Mayor's cook
- Alexander Morden - attacked and killed Captain Bentick with a pickaxe and was sentenced to death.
- Molly Morden - The attractive wife of Alexander Morden
- Will & Tom Anders - flee town to England in order to escape the invaders and ask for foreign aid (weapons and dynamite)
- Madame - the wife of Mayor Orden
The "Invaders"
- George Corell - popular storekeeper, traitor, and spy. Colonel Lanser treats him poorly because he is a traitor.
- Colonel Lanser - the head of the local battalion; a WWI veteran.
- Captain Bentick - old, Anglophile; loves dogs, Christmas and "pink children." Is killed by Alex Morden in a fit of rage while trying to protect Captain Loft.
- Major Hunter - the engineer; has a model railroad at home.
- Captain Loft - young, ambitious; he lives and breathes the military.
- Lieutenant Prackle - apparently a good artist; had five blonde sisters.
- Lieutenant Tonder - a poet described as a "dark romantic," is killed by Molly Morden after flirting with her.
- "the Leader" - referencing Adolf Hitler, though never actually naming him
Film, TV or theatrical adaptations
It was made into a movie starring Cedric Hardwicke, Henry Travers and Lee J. Cobb in 1943. The Moon is Down was also the basis for the 1984 movie Red Dawn.
Title
The title of the book comes from ‘Macbeth’. Just before Banquo encounters Macbeth on his way to kill Duncan, he asks his son, Fleance, "How goes the night, boy?" Fleance replies, "The moon is down; I have not heard the clock," indicating the descent of evil on the town.
External links
- Operation Braddock: A British WWII sabotage and propaganda operation inspired by The Moon is Down
ISBN 0822215993
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