Lanser places Mayor Orden and Doctor Winter under arrest, the two leaders of the town, in hopes of depleting the air of rebellion sweeping through the people with the arrival of the dynamite. He declares that any violence committed after 11 o’clock will result in their execution.

Throughout the novel, Steinbeck shows that free people cannot remain conquered. The novel’s role in bolstering Norwegian morale won Steinbeck a commendation, the King Haakon IIV Freedom Cross. It was awarded for outstanding contributions to the Norwegian cause during World War II.

While volunteering his writing services to various government agencies during World War II, Steinbeck wrote The Moon Is Down (1942), a fictional story meant to boost wartime morale. It was not until after the war that Steinbeck learned how important the story had been to underground resistance movements in Europe.

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By ending with Asclepius’ line, “The debt shall be paid,” Steinbeck insinuates that, although Mayor Orden shall die at the hands of the fascist regime, the loss of his life will be avenged by the uncontrollable population of free thinkers and insurrectionaries that he has until now represented.

Mayor Orden’s unwavering selflessness and commitment to democratic ideals find fullest expression at the end of the novella, when he goes to meet his death with peace of mind, having chosen to sacrifice himself rather than act against the interests of his people. …

When he returns to her house later, Molly stabs him to death with a pair of scissors and then flees town.

Invaders. Colonel Lanser: the head of the occupying force; a World War I 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.

Orden is a kind of martyr for the town, because he was asked to stand up to the enemy who would certainly have him executed.

George Corell He longs to build a life in the town, but soon learns that he is considered a traitor by both the invaders and the townspeople.

In the final scene, Mayor Orden, Doctor Winter, and Colonel Lanser recite the last words of Socrates before his own execution. A far off explosion is heard in the hills near the coal mine, followed by an explosion near the palace. Clearly, the two townsmen will be put to death.

Cast

When he says, “Flies capture two hundred miles of new flypaper!” he emphasizes the absurdity inherent in believing that a military presence is equal to victory and total subordination.

That they’re flies conquering flypaper. Which means: every place they conquer, they are stuck there. “Conquest after conquest, deeper and deeper into molasses.” His laughter choked him and he coughed into his handkerchief.

Vaila – The moon is a giant lightbulb shining down silvery light. Isla – The moon is a yellow button on a long, black coat. Timothy – The moon is a silver alarm clock ticking in the night. Ben – The moon is a giant, round block of cheese in a really dark fridge.

Feeling deep sympathy for Alex, the mayor refuses to sentence him. Regardless, the miner is found guilty and executed by a firing squad commanded by Lieutenant Tonder.

Lanser looks at Orden and remarks, “We have taken on a job, haven’t we?” The Mayor replies, “Yes, the one impossible job in the world, the one thing that can’t be done. To break man’s spirit permanently.” This is reflected in the continuing resistance of the people of the town, even in the face of threats of death.

Joseph tells Annie that the trial will be for Alexander, who used to be an alderman.

The central theme of The Moon is Down is the resilience of the human spirit in the face of oppression. Although never referenced directly, the occupying force in the story closely resembles the Nazi occupation of Europe in the 1930s and 1940s.

Alexander Morden A miner who gets executed for killing one of the invaders, Morden is described as a nice man, respected, but quick tempered. He has served the town as an alderman, an elected town official, as did his father.

Helene Thimig

One Sunday

Some themes you might want to discuss include love, friendship, kindness of strangers, refugees, terrorism, family, grief, and perseverance. WHEN THE MOON IS LOW is a well-written novel about one family’s plight to flee the Taliban.

Contrary to the critics’ predictions that The Moon Is Down would discourage the refugees in the occupied regions, the record that Coers has created shows that the short novel did serve its intended purpose, which was to inspire confidence throughout Europe, most clearly in Norway where the novel was particularly …