Tone in The Moon is Down

The tone of a book majorly effects how the reader will interpret the book and receive the message and story. The tone used in "The Moon is Down" by John Steinbeck is very serious and climatic. I think the tone is more a serious tone because it is about a war. Wars are never humorous or fun. They are serious and depressing. I expected this would be a serious story from the beginning where the reader could easily see it was a serious plot. Like I have said before, the plot of this book is about a group of Nazi soldiers that invade a small coal-mining village in Europe and begin to take over and control the people. However the townspeople try to maintain their freedom and begin to revolt. The time period that this all takes place in is the early days of World War II. The country was stressed and everyone was uncertain of what would happen.  There was not a lot of happiness or joy during these times. I think it was a good idea for Steinbeck to keep the tone serious. It was respectful and mature to keep the events true to the history of World War II.

Another tone used in the novel The Moon is Down is suspense. There are many climatic events in this story beginning with the War. When there is a war going on no one knows what will happen or who will win. There is also suspense with the townspeople. First there is suspense when Alex Moreden is shot and killed (Steinbeck 38). Another point of suspsense is when the townspeople revolt. We do not know if they will succeed with blowing up the train tracks or if they will be killed while doing it.

I think Steinbeck has a good balance of tone throughout this novel. This once again shows Steinbecks amazing writing talents and understanding of human nature.

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