The Moon is Down: Psychological Consequences

Physiological consequences greatly affect the plot in The Moon is Down. The invaders were sent into the little town with a very specific task. They were to invade and get the townspeople to mine and send it back home (Steinbeck). This plan was so specific and to the point from the leader, it was fool proof. Unfortunately the invaders that were in charge, and primarily talked about in the novel, were too caught up about other things. They let their emotions get in the way and ended up almost ruining the whole invasion. The younger of the officials, the lieutenants, seem to be more interested in meeting a girl to romance or marry than getting in and out of the little town. Everyone else seems to be semi the same way, only the older they are, the more concerned they are about going home and out of the sad town where everyone hates them. Lieutenant Tonder approaches Lanser asks about going home and the women of the town. Lanser replies, “And the girl,' Lanser continued, 'the girl, Lieutenant, you may rape her, or protect her, or marry her--that is of no importance so long as you shoot her when it is ordered" (Steinbeck 1717). This response was not the response that would have been said at the beginning of the invasion, but the invaders’ emotions took over and they got side tracked. Another physiological consequence was the invader’s constant need to be liked or accepted in the town. They would always complain to each other in the drawing room in Mayor Orden’s palace that the people hated them (Steinbeck). They should not have been worried about this, but about getting their mission done and getting out of there. These things were what caused the invaders to struggle so much during the invasion and mining project.   

Steinbeck, John. The Moon Is Down, a Novel,. New York: Viking, 1942. Print

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