Here we learn that a small town has been taken over by one of the many Nazi groups during World War Two. Mr. Corell " The town good guy", the way I view it, sent the town postmen and policemen on a boating trip, keeping them from the invasion (we learn later that "The town good guy" is really a back-stabber later in the book). After the invasion, the Nazis request a meeting with the town's Mayor, Mayor Orden.
Joseph and Doctor Winter, two of Mayor Orden's colleagues, await the arrival of Nazis too. The two meet Captain Bentick, a rank lower than Colonel Lanser who is the one who had requested the meeting. Bentick searches the home. During the meeting Annie, Mayor Orden's cook, becomes very aggravated by the soldiers who wait outside the front porch of the Mayor's home, and throws a pot of boiling water at them.
Chapter Two:.
In this chapter, Steinbeck explains the characteristics of each of the Nazis. Major Hunter, an engineer, "arithmatician", and seemingly indifferent to the fact that he is a soldier. Captain Bentick, a family man, was old and kind. Bentick also has certain admiration to the English. Captain Loft, a young man, took much pride in the fact that he was a soldier. He dreams of his own death on the battlefield, where he is respected. "Lieutenants Prackle and Tonder were snot noses, undergraduates, lieutenants, trained in the politics of the day" (Quoted out of the book; there seemed to be no sense putting it in my own words since it was right there, and couldn't have been worded any better). Colonel Lanser takes much pride in what he does. To me, he sees life as an order given by a higher rank that must be taken out. It is also in this chapter that Captain Bentick dies by one Alexander Morden, a town dweller.
Chapter Three:.
The chapter begins with a discussion between Annie and Joseph, who are talking about Alexander Morden and the death of Captain Bentick. Joseph reveals to Annie what he surely thinks will happen.