Throughout The Moon is Down by John Steinbeck, there is a controversial debate over whether or not the novel succeeds in praising the ideals of democracy and free choice takes place. Some readers argue that this isn't possible because the invaders are portrayed as sympathetic characters, but I refuse to agree with that argument. Throughout the book, I saw evidence that the novel succeeds in praising democracy and free choice, such as the inability of invaders to deprive citizens of their personal actions, the importance of The individual, an idea on which democracy is based. but also the pain that comes when freedom is taken away. Many people claim that The Moon is Down is not a success because the invaders are played as sympathetic characters, but that is not true. The book states: “Then the soldiers would read the news from home and from other conquered countries, and the news was always good, and for a little while they believed it, and then after a while they no longer believed it. And everyone carried terror in their hearts. (p 58) As the novel continues, we begin to sympathize with the conquerors due to their desperation and the problems they face in the city. The sympathy we felt led to the men's desire to no longer be trapped by strict military protocol and the threat of death, but rather to be free, thus establishing the book as a success in describing free choice and freedom. democracy. The Moon is Down accomplished by praising free choice and democracy because the invaders could not deprive citizens of their personal actions or their ability to rebel. The novel states: “…and no man can relax his guard for even a moment. If he did, he would disappear, and a piece of snow... in the middle of paper... very brave, like a little boy on his first day of school. (p 79) Molly tells Tonder about her deceased husband, Alex Morden. Many people have perished in the book, like Alex, and not only does the victim suffer, the one who is killed, but the families also suffer emotional grief. The inhabitants deprived of their freedoms committed acts against the conquerors who, in turn, killed them. It shows the pain, emotional and physical, that comes when one gives up freedom. Throughout the book The Moon is Down, the author successfully portrayed the ideals of democracy and free choice. John Steinbeck managed to demonstrate these ideals through the sympathy and compassion we feel for those who fought back, the importance of the individual, a democratic idea, and the pain that comes when freedom is taken away. Works Cited The Moon Is Down by John Steinbeck