The Moon Is Down

Colonel Lanser is described as a firm, but complex man with “the square shoulders of a soldier, but his eyes lacked the blank look of the ordinary soldier” (12). Like Mayor Orden and Doctor Winter, Colonel Lanser is a static character who begins the novel intent on fulfilling his duty despite any moral quandaries and ends the novel in the same state. Though Lanser is, nominally, the antagonist of the novel as he commands the soldiers that have conquered the town, Lanser displays a respect for Orden and the necessities of war that suggest he is not personally antagonistic towards the town. Rather, Colonel Lanser is characterized by a firm belief in following orders, protocol, and duty regardless of whether his morality coincides with those actions.

Colonel Lanser is the only man on his staff that has experienced war extensively before. For him, war inevitably ends in ineffectual gains and disappointment: “It is over and nothing has changed except for a new weariness and new hatreds” (23). Despite perceiving his soldiers to have been defeated by the townspeople’s coldness and acts of revolt, Lanser steadfastly follows his orders and continues with protocol. 

Mr. Corell, the shopkeeper of the town and its betrayer to Lanser’s troops, is the true antagonist of the novel. Though he holds no real power in the town, his actions shape its fate more so than those of Mayor Orden or Colonel Lanser. Corell’s betrayal allows Lanser to occupy the town, and his report to Lanser’s superiors secure Orden’s and Winter’s execution. Corell acts out of malice and greed for power, without loyalties to either his people or to Lanser. 

Colonel Lanser’s staff are inexperienced with the realities of war and conquest and are therefore ill prepared to handle the emotional and moral implications of holding the town hostage and forcing its workers to mine coal. Major Hunter and Captain Loft display the most military enthusiasm, each respectful of the orderliness of codes, orders, and expectations of their station. Captain Bentick is described as obsessed with British culture and more laidback than the rest of the staff.

The Lieutenants Tonder and Prackle are the youngest of Lanser’s staff, the most idealistic, and display more rounded characters with emotional growth. The Lieutenants are described as “sentimental young men, given to tears and to furies” and interested in pursuing the idealism taught them by their recruiters (21). They expect to be heroes to the town and enjoy their conquest as time to scout out the land for settling and meet women. Their idealism is quickly dispelled by the realities of the townspeople’s hatred for them. Lieutenant Tonder begins to question everything about his position in the town, including their country’s leadership and politics. Molly Morden is able to kill him because he pursues his idealism too far. Lieutenant Prackle also verges on an emotional break by doubting their military cause, but he is reminded of his duty by Colonel Lanser. Lieutenant Prackle is the one to escort—and potentially execute—Mayor Orden, sealing Prackle’s fate as a military man.