Podcast
Questions and Answers
From where does the title of the book come?
From where does the title of the book come?
The title is a line from Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.
What does 'recalcitrant' mean and to whom would it apply in this book?
What does 'recalcitrant' mean and to whom would it apply in this book?
It means 'resisting authority or control'; it would apply to the townspeople, particularly Mayor Orden.
What is the name of the town that is invaded by the German force?
What is the name of the town that is invaded by the German force?
It is never named.
How many soldiers are there in the town in Chapter 1?
How many soldiers are there in the town in Chapter 1?
Who commands the German invasion force, and how many men does he say he has?
Who commands the German invasion force, and how many men does he say he has?
Who makes it possible for the town to be invaded, and how?
Who makes it possible for the town to be invaded, and how?
What does the word 'clandestine' mean, and to whom does it apply in Chapter 1?
What does the word 'clandestine' mean, and to whom does it apply in Chapter 1?
What does Colonel Lanser say he wants to avoid?
What does Colonel Lanser say he wants to avoid?
What is Mr. Correll's occupation, and what does he want to be?
What is Mr. Correll's occupation, and what does he want to be?
Mayor Orden lives where, and with whom?
Mayor Orden lives where, and with whom?
Who has the house searched for weapons?
Who has the house searched for weapons?
What weapons are found in the mayor's house, and how did the Germans know they were there?
What weapons are found in the mayor's house, and how did the Germans know they were there?
What does Colonel Lanser want from Mayor Orden?
What does Colonel Lanser want from Mayor Orden?
What is Winter's occupation in the town, both officially and unofficially?
What is Winter's occupation in the town, both officially and unofficially?
Why does Colonel Lanser wish to live in The Palace?
Why does Colonel Lanser wish to live in The Palace?
What makes Annie mad enough to throw boiling water on the soldiers?
What makes Annie mad enough to throw boiling water on the soldiers?
How is the aura of the newly-invaded town described?
How is the aura of the newly-invaded town described?
Why is it significant that Lanser takes over the upper floors of The Palace?
Why is it significant that Lanser takes over the upper floors of The Palace?
Who is Hunter, and what kind of man is he?
Who is Hunter, and what kind of man is he?
What does the pipe-smoker, Captain Bentick, lack, and where does he want to live?
What does the pipe-smoker, Captain Bentick, lack, and where does he want to live?
The opposite of Bentick, what is different about Captain Loft?
The opposite of Bentick, what is different about Captain Loft?
Why do you think that Steinbeck used the word 'Loft' for the name of Captain Loft?
Why do you think that Steinbeck used the word 'Loft' for the name of Captain Loft?
What did Prackle do before entering the military, and to whose face is his own countenance compared?
What did Prackle do before entering the military, and to whose face is his own countenance compared?
How many wars has Lanser been in, and what does he think war changes?
How many wars has Lanser been in, and what does he think war changes?
How does Lanser view his own men?
How does Lanser view his own men?
Why does Loft get mad at Bentick?
Why does Loft get mad at Bentick?
Who has a pin-up of a glamorous woman, and who objects due to the nature of their quarters?
Who has a pin-up of a glamorous woman, and who objects due to the nature of their quarters?
How do the townspeople display their sullenness in Chapter 3?
How do the townspeople display their sullenness in Chapter 3?
Why is there to be a trial, where is it being held, and why?
Why is there to be a trial, where is it being held, and why?
Who killed Captain Bentick?
Who killed Captain Bentick?
Who was the man who killed Captain Bentick trying to hit with his pick?
Who was the man who killed Captain Bentick trying to hit with his pick?
Why does Annie have a big reputation in the town?
Why does Annie have a big reputation in the town?
What is Joseph's biggest concern as they move the table into the parlor for the trial?
What is Joseph's biggest concern as they move the table into the parlor for the trial?
What does Joseph do that impresses Annie?
What does Joseph do that impresses Annie?
What does Annie think will incite rebellion in the town?
What does Annie think will incite rebellion in the town?
What does the news that people are escaping to England do to Annie?
What does the news that people are escaping to England do to Annie?
To what does Mayor Orden compare his situation when speaking to Dr. Winter before the trial?
To what does Mayor Orden compare his situation when speaking to Dr. Winter before the trial?
What does Dr. Winter think Orden should do, and why does he think the Germans are having a public trial?
What does Dr. Winter think Orden should do, and why does he think the Germans are having a public trial?
Why do you think that Joseph is Mayor Orden's most practical servant?
Why do you think that Joseph is Mayor Orden's most practical servant?
Who does Colonel Lanser want to sit in judgment of the accused murderer, and why?
Who does Colonel Lanser want to sit in judgment of the accused murderer, and why?
When Mayor Orden refuses to do as he is asked, who does Colonel Lanser put on the panel of judges?
When Mayor Orden refuses to do as he is asked, who does Colonel Lanser put on the panel of judges?
What does Dr. Winter say the town will always fight for?
What does Dr. Winter say the town will always fight for?
Study Notes
Title and Literary Reference
- "The Moon Is Down" derives its title from a line in Shakespeare's "Macbeth".
Vocabulary and Concepts
- Recalcitrant: Refers to resisting authority or control; applicable to the townspeople who oppose Colonel Lanser, notably Mayor Orden's reluctance for Lanser to stay in The Palace.
- Clandestine: Means secretive acts aimed at deception; exemplified by Mr. Correll's covert assistance to the Germans during the invasion.
Setting and Characters
- The invaded town is unnamed throughout the narrative.
- The local military force consists of twelve soldiers.
- Colonel Lanser leads the German invasion force and estimates his men to number over 20, as he mentions the number responsible for a specific attack.
- Mr. Correll plays a crucial role in facilitating the invasion by removing opposing forces and supplying intelligence.
Dynamics of Occupation
- Colonel Lanser aims to avoid further bloodshed and seeks cooperation from Mayor Orden to facilitate German control over local resources.
- Mayor Orden resides in The Palace with Madame Orden and their employees, Joseph and Annie.
- Captain Bentick conducts searches for weapons, discovering items like a shotgun and hunting rifle, the presence of which was informed to the Germans by Correll.
Town Characters and Relationships
- Winter functions as both the town doctor and historian.
- Annie incites conflict when she throws boiling water at soldiers who leer at her from the porch.
- The mood within the newly occupied town is described as surreal, highlighting the disconnection between the previous state of normalcy and the current invasion.
Military Personnel
- Colonel Lanser has participated in two wars, believing that war fundamentally changes nothing, viewing his men as children playing at combat.
Confrontation and Rebellion
- The town displays sullenness through residents' lethargic behaviors and whispered grievances.
- A trial is held in The Palace as a show of the local government's cooperation after townspeople killed Captain Bentick.
- Alex Morden is identified as Captain Bentick's killer, having actually aimed for Captain Loft.
Resistance and Hope
- Annie grows renowned in the town for her act of rebellion against the soldiers by throwing boiling water, marking a key moment of resistance.
- Joseph expresses concern over maintaining the furniture's condition while preparing for the trial, and makes an impressive revelation to Annie about townspeople escaping to England, instilling her with hope.
- Dr. Winter suggests to Mayor Orden that he should remain true to himself while acknowledging that the public trial is intended to sow fear among the populace.
Authority and Judgment
- Colonel Lanser wishes for Mayor Orden to serve as a judge in the trial to signify local government endorsement; when Orden refuses, Mr. Correll is appointed instead.
- Dr. Winter articulates that the essence of the town's struggle lies in their eternal quest for freedom.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge of the first three chapters of 'The Moon Is Down' with these flashcards. The quiz covers key themes, vocabulary, and important references, including the origin of the book's title. Perfect for students looking to deepen their understanding of the text.
