At the beginning of the chapter, we hear a discussion between Annie and Joseph, two of the servants at the mayor's house. It appears that they are trying to move a table around the dining room. As they try to do this, they begin to talk about how Alexander Morden is being put on trial for the murder of Captian Bentick. When I heard this, I can not say that I was pleased. Out of the five men we learned about the last chapter, I liked Captain Benick the most. He just seemed like a good guy, despite the fact that he was on the invading side. After reading through these chapters, I found out that Alexander was ordered to go back to work in the coal mines, but refused to. He wanted to fight for his freedom. He got angry and tried to attack Captain Loft with his pick axe, but Captain Bentick got in the way. In the end, Bentick died. Joseph lets Annie know what he thinks will happen to Alexander, "[They'll] Shoot him," (Steinbeck 41). Annie expresses her angry thoughts on that idea, suggesting that she would kill a few of the men herself. Joseph kills her dreams by stating bluntly that she would just be shot as well. Later on, Alex's wife, Molly, went to the mayor, asking if he would actually convict Alex of the crime. He replied that he would not, but he still knows deep down that he would have to (Steinbeck 40-41).
When he realized this, Mayor Orden sent Madame to keep Molly company as she goes through this hard time. Colonel Lanser says that there are rules that confirm that Alexander Morden would have to die. In the partial defense of Alexander, Mayor Orden states that everything that the invaders are doing is in violation of the laws of the town. I believe that the only reason Lanser is trying to do this is because he wants the people of the town to believe that their mayor is on the side of the soldiers. That would give him more and more control. I still have yet to find out what will happen at the trial, but I'm sure I'll find out next chapter.
Steinbeck, John. The Moon Is Down. New York: Penguin Classics, 1942. Print.
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