The Moon Is Down blog 6

We still read The Moon Is Down because of its historical impact and its famous authorship by John Steinbeck.  This book played an important role during World War II by raising the morale of conquered countries.  Thousands of illegal copies of this book were made and distributed through underground resistance efforts.   “No one knew how effective Steinbeck’s contribution had been.  Over the last few years new evidence has emerged that documents the extraordinarily positive reception of The Moon Is Down in Nazi-occupied Western Europe, and confirms the novel’s success as propaganda” (Steinbeck xiii).  This fact alone should be enough to prove that this is no ordinary book.  The Moon Is Down captured the trials those people were facing and gave them hope knowing someone else understood what was going on.  It is truly spectacular that Steinbeck could so accurately picture what those countries were dealing with when he was hundreds of miles away.  Just the fact that this novel was written by John Steinbeck is enough reason to still read this book.  Steinbeck was one of the most popular writers of his day having already written The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men.  His captivating writing style has continued to amaze both critics and joy-readers alike for over sixty years.  Steinbeck has made the message of democracy in the face of trials a timeless message.  He has demonstrated the power of the people and what the human spirit can accomplish.  From reading The Moon Is Down, the reader can take home the idea that democracy and freedom depend solely on the people.  If all the people involved believe in democracy, then it will be impossible to fully destroy.  Someone will always be there to fight and keep fighting even in the face of death.  There is something about freedom that makes it worth every moment of pain that one must go through.  John Steinbeck has proven that an army may win the battle, but it is the freedom-fighting citizens who win the war. 

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