The Moon Is Down Blog 4

                The Moon Is Down does not really have one specific hero.  There are many characters that contribute in a way that makes them heroic, but the true hero is the idea of democracy.  It is the uncorruptible force that only the people can change.  Since Steinbeck has a focus from so many characters points of view, there is no one character that can be described as the main hero.  Some of the characters with more heroic qualities include the mayor, Alex Morden, and Molly Morden.  Each of these characters risked their lives in order to fight for their freedom in large ways.  “Free men cannot start a war, but once it is started, they can fight on in defeat.  Herd men, followers of a leader, cannot do that, and so it is always the head men who wins the battles and the free men who win wars” (Steinbeck 111).  This quote said by the mayor sums up the idea that the true hero is the collective people.  When united, a group of people can fight on past defeat and demonstrate the highest levels of bravery and perseverance.  Though they did have a mayor of the town, his greatest asset to the effort was being a symbol of unity.  Throughout the book the hero of democracy accomplished its given task.  The people had united to fight back and had succeeded in breaking the invaders will to continue fighting.  The biggest accomplishment of the people was to prove that fighting for freedom will also trump fighting for a leader.  John Steinbeck has shown in The Moon Is Down that democracy cannot be destroyed while there are still people willing to support it.  He has shown that democracy represents the abstract idea of freedom.  “’You see, sir, nothing can change it.  You will be destroyed and driven out.’  His voice was very soft.  ‘The people don’t like to be conquered, sir, and so they will not be’” (Steinbeck 111).  When the people put their mind to an idea, they will stop at nothing to carry it out. 

Steinbeck, John. The Moon Is Down. Ney York: Penguin Group, 1995. Print.