Steinbeck stuff

"The loose-hung soldiers, having very little experience in war and none at all in defeat, opened fire with their rifles" (1.)

This passage from John Steinbeck's, The Moon is Down, clearly illustrates the innocence of the people and how unexpectedly this invasion took them. This also shows that like Lenny and George, they didn't really have a backup plan, they simply did what seemed right in the moment and didn't look at the possible negative consequences or outcomes.

"The drawing-room of the palace was very sweet and comfortable. the gilded chairs covered with their worn tapestry were set about tiffly like too many servants with nothing to do" (2.)

""Beside the fireplace old doctor Winter sat, bearded and simple and benign [...] He watched in amazement while his thumbs rolled over and over on his lap.

This seemingly unnecessary detail regarding setting is very signature to all of Steinbeck's works, and the way in which Steinbeck uses setting becomes more clear the more you read books by Steinbeck. This setting sets the mood but more importantly it allows the reader to visualize the entire scene and not only focus on the words and action. This setting allows you to step back and gain more perspective on the events occurring, and by putting these events in context it somehow makes the work seem more laid back and allows the reader to not take everything so seriously. Something that we should all do now and again.

"Dr. Winter was a man so simple that only a profound man would know him as profound." (2)

This quote portrays the profound nature of these works. A common theme in Steinbeck is living simply, and how extraordinary that is, as simple as it sounds. Mack in the boys in Cannery Row, George and Lennie in Of Mice and Men, and Dr. Winter in The Moon is Down.

"Be still! Don't talk like that! These people! these horrible people! These cold people! They never look at you! (63)

This quote illustrates the destructive nature of man, and the evil of mankind. This is an obvious theme of this book; the theme of evil goes hand in hand with any war novel. This theme is also very clear in of mice and men, with the shooting of the dog, to the shooting of Lennie.