As Lake County”s own self-appointed John Steinbeck scholar, I was pleased that Sandra Wade suggested in her letter of Nov. 8, that readers read Steinbeck”s “The Moon is Down.”
Anyone who reads this powerful propaganda novelette cannot fail to see the parallels to America”s occupation of Iraq. During the Nazi occupation of Norway, this novelette was an actual guide for the Norwegian underground.
The message is very pertinent to today”s invasion. When an invading army invades a country alien to them, and the populace becomes suspicious of their intentions, then the hunters become the hunted. But, Sandra, you left out that wonderful line spoken by the mayor of the town before being led off to be executed: “The flies have conquered the flypaper.”
And to attempt to answer your question, “When will they ever learn?” When we cease to be a nation of sheep blindly obeying our leaders instead of our own consciences; when we become more critical and not so easily lead by arrogant, deceptive leaders, such as we now have in the White House.
If anyone is interested in hearing a second discussion of Steinbeck”s later years which will complement my first presentation, it will be entitled “After the Wrath” dealing with the “Moon is Down” and “East of Eden.” Please contact me at purrfect@konocti.net.
Harold E. Riley
Clearlake
