The Moon is Down: Reflection on Social and Behavioral issues, History, and thematic significance

The Moon is Down  shows a lot of customs relating to the time period.  There were many small hints of how the reader can understand the time period.  It was published in 1942, therefore the time period was most likely in the 1940's or slightly earlier.  The small hints I was able to find that indicate the time period.  There was the fact that they were mining coal.  This was a popular job back then because coal mines were very common for men to work in.  This job was not desirable to do, but it had to be done and it was harder to earn money back then.  The coal mine is a reflection of history because coal was such a valuable resource back then.  Another indicating hint of the historical reference is when Molly says that the roof is heavy because there was no man to push of the snow.  This was a small reference, but it was a good example to use.  Nowadays, buildings are strong enough to hold themselves up.  However, back then it was a necessity to keep the roof clear because the architecture was not as strong then.

Some social and behavioral issues were seen as well.  The soldiers were socially isolated because the people hated them for invading their country.  The social issues the soldiers faced led them to insanity at some times. Tonder is a great example because he was so socially deprived and lonely that he let Molly see his weakness and she took advantage of her chance to murder him.  Other social issues in this novel are not as clear as this one.  A behavioral issue that can be seen that relates to this time period is their dialect.  They speak very properly and very to the point.  This might have been the authors writing style, but it helped the reader understand the time period.

The thematic significance is strong in this novel.  The theme is to let people be free.  You cannot take away people's freedom forever.  This will set these people off and make them into something they are not.  The reason all the killing happened was for freedom, and they had it to begin with.  What goes around comes around, and this novel proves it with its thematic significance.

Steinbeck, John. The Moon Is Down. New York: Penguin Classics, 1942. Print.