Throughout The Moon Has Set by John Steinbeck, a controversial debate over whether or not the novel is successful in praising the ideals of democracy and free choice. Some readers argue that this is not possible because the invaders are depicted as sympathetic characters, but I refuse to agree with this argument. Throughout the book, I saw evidence to support the fact that the novel succeeds in praising democracy and free choice, such as the inability of invaders to take away citizens' personal actions, the importance of the individual, an idea on which democracy is based. but also the pain you feel when freedom is taken away. Many people argue that The Moon is Down is unsuccessful because the invaders are portrayed as sympathetic characters but this is not true. In the book we read: “Then the soldiers read the news from their homeland and from the other conquered countries, and the news was always good, and for a while they believed it, and then after a while they no longer believed it. And every man carried terror in his heart." (p. 58) As the novel progresses, we begin to sympathize with the conquerors because of their desperation and the problems they face in the city. The sympathy we feel has led to a desire for men to no longer be trapped under strict military protocol and under the threat of death, but rather to be free, affirming that the book has been successful in representing free choice and democracy. The Moon is Down accomplished by praising free choice and democracy because the invaders could not take away citizens' personal actions nor the ability to rebel. The novel states: “…and no man could relax his guard even for a moment. If he did, he'd disappear, and some sleet... middle of paper... very brave, like a kid on his first day at school." (pg. 79) Molly is talking to Tonder about her late husband, Alex Morden. Many people died in the book, like Alex, and not only does the victim, the one who is killed, suffer, but the families also suffer emotional pain. The citizens who were denied freedom committed acts against the conquerors who in turn killed them This shows the pain, emotional and physical, which occurs when you give up your freedom. Throughout the book, The Moon is Down, the author was able to successfully portray the ideals of democracy and free choice. John Steinbeck was able 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 occurs when freedom is taken away. Works Cited The Moon Is Down by John Steinbeck