The Moon is Down 7

Question seven for the novel The Moon is Down asks what techniques does the author use to engage the audience and make the story effective? Give examples to support your analysis (mystery, humor, symbolism, suspense, etc.).

In the book, "The Moon is Down" by John Steinbeck, Steinbeck uses many techniques to keep the audience interested and make the story effective. One of these techniques is suspense. I think suspense is one of the most interesting things for the reader to read. The reader should want to know what would happen and to keep reading. I think the most suspenseful part of the book, The Moon is Down, is after the parachutes arrive and the townspeople start to revolt. The townspeople blow up the railroad tracks. I find this very suspenseful for many reasons. One, they could die while trying to blow it up. Two, the Nazi soldiers could take revenge on all the towns people. An example of this is when Will and Tom Anders set out to sail to other countries to find support against the villager's plight (Steinbeck 78). This causes the reader to wonder whether the brothers will be able to spread the word about the villager's situation. Another example of suspense is when Molly kills Lieutenant Tonder. The reader doesn’t know what will happen. I found myself asking would she really do it? Would he fight back? I think it was Steinbeck’s goal. He wanted the reader to ask themselves what would happen and worry about the characters.

Another technique used in The Moon is Down is rebellion. This is what the whole story is about. An example of this is when Alexander Morden stands up for himself and when Annie throws the boiling water on the soldiers. Another example would be when Molly Morden kills Lieutenant Tonder. And last but not least blue parachutes and the destruction of the Nazis rail road tracks. These suspenseful events all represent rebellion. I like how the author combined the techniques to form one novel.

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