The Role Of Reason In John Steinbeck's The Moon Is Down

The pitfall of many people today is the lack of critical thinking and reason in the decisions they make. In the novella The Moon is Down by distinguished author John Steinbeck there are an abundance of characters who have a great influence on the story such as Mayor Orden, Mr. Corell, and Colonel Lanser, but none of these characters play a role as influential as Doctor Winter. We first meet Doctor Winter in the living room of Mayor Orden’s house, quietly sitting in a chair and twiddling his thumbs, deep in thought. Doctor Winter is known as the town physician and the local historian. It is through its knowledge of the town if he is able to aid Mayor Orden in the difficult decisions that appear throughout the novella by using his ability to reason through a
He was upset about the takeover of the mine and town, and as a consequence wanted to quit. He voiced his opinion to Loft, who ordered Alex to work. Alex let his temper get the best of his and as a consequence struck Captain Bentick in the head with his pick. It was up to Mayor Orden to decide Alex Morden’s condemnation. Orden became very distraught because the trial was to be held in his house when they outcome was already determined. He turned to Doctor Winter to help him understand why the trial had to take place in his house. Doctor Winter has already spent time rationalizing why this trial needed to happen. He explains to Orden that the trial was only for show and its purpose was to exhibit to the townspeople that justice was still present in their town, even though it had been invaded by German soldiers. Mayor Orden was satisfied with the answer and was able to comfort Molly Morden shortly after this discussion. Without Winter's help Mayor Orden would not have been able to stay calm in this situation and have the honest conversation with Alex during the trial. Doctor Winter stands as a right-hand-man and friend to Mayor Orden throughout the