Why do we still read The Moon is Down? What can we learn from this book?

The Moon is Down by John Steinbeck
is still read today because of its timeless message that readers can still
learn from. This message is that no one can break man’s spirit. This is shown
when the army invades a country and occupies a group of people. The soldiers
come into the town thinking that the people will not resist and that it will be
an easy job. They soon find however that this is not the case. Problems arise
when the town folk begin to shake off the confusion of their homeland being
occupied by soldiers. The first incident happens when a coal miner named Alex
decides that he does not want to work in the mines anymore (Steinbeck 38). The
soldiers will not allow this because they want the coal (Steinbeck 16). This
makes Alex go on the offensive and he attacks a soldier (Steinbeck 38). Another
soldier interferes, however, and takes the blow from Alex (Steinbeck 38). This
soldier ends up dead and Alex is sentenced to death for killing an officer
(Steinbeck 54). This outrages the people and they start to fight against the
soldiers. The people are willing to do anything to get rid of the soldiers
including murder and using explosives to mess with the supply routes of the
soldiers. The army ends up prosecuting many of the people, but this does not
stop them. If anything they become even more rebellious. The townspeople also
use their hatred against the soldiers. The soldiers know how the people feel
about them and know that they cannot trust them and have to watch their backs
at all times. This begins to exhaust the soldiers and even causes some
psychological problems. An example of this is Lieutenant Tonder, who begins to
ramble and laugh hysterically about the mistake the army has made in occupying
the country (Steinbeck 68). The whole rebellion of this group of people against
the soldiers, shows that anyone can fight back and stand up for what they
want. It also says that no one can break
your spirit if you let them.

Bibliography: Steinbeck, John. The Moon Is Down. New York. Penguin Group USA, 2009. Print.