Question

“The Censors” (1976) by Luisa Valenzuela Directions: Bold Words= Define the words and use the word correctly in a sentence. Orange: Explain in your own words why this info is important to the story. Blue:Explain in your own words the foreshadowing that can be found in this part. Purple:Answer the question that had been highlighted in 4-5 sentences. Historical Connection: Although every form of government has employed censorship (to prohibit or not allow certain books, new, etc. that is considered politically unacceptable or a threat to security) to some degree, especially in times of war, the strictest censorship is most often found in dictatorships. In the 1960s and 1970s, a number of Latin American countries, including Luisa Valenzuela’s native Argentina, were governed by military dictators. These leaders often employed censorship to control the opponent and limit the free expression of ideas. Their measures included the closing of newspapers and magazines, the suppression of public meetings, and censorship of the arts, especially literature. “The Censors” focuses on a common type of censorship--the reading of personal letters in order to control the flow of information and guard against acts of rebellion. The story, inspired by the political situation in Argentina, takes place in a fictional Latin American setting. Big Idea: Making Choices As you read “The Censors,” ask yourself, What choices does Juan make to “protect” himself and Mariana from the censors? Poor Juan! He was caught off guard that day and he couldn't realize that what he thought was a stroke of luck was really an accursed trick of fate. Those things happen when you're not careful, and as sure as you're hearing me one gets careless very, very often. Juancito let happiness -- an otherwise disturbing sentiment -- overwhelm him when, from a confidential source, he received Mariana's new address, now in Paris, and he knew that she hadn't forgotten him. Without thinking twice, he sat down at his desk and wrote a letter. The letter. The same

Answer 1

Certainly, here are the requested elements from the provided text:

**Bold Words**:

- *Censorship*: Censorship refers to the act of suppressing or controlling information, usually by a government or authority, to prevent the spread of certain ideas, information, or media that are considered politically unacceptable or a threat to security. In the context of the story, censorship plays a significant role as it revolves around the theme of reading personal letters to control information.

**Orange (Importance to the Story)**:

The information about censorship, especially in dictatorships, is crucial to understanding the backdrop of the story. It sets the stage for the central theme of the narrative, which is the control of information through the reading of personal letters. Knowing about the historical context of censorship in Latin American countries, including Argentina, helps readers grasp the gravity of the situation in which the protagonist finds himself.

**Blue (Foreshadowing)**:

There isn't specific foreshadowing in the provided text. Foreshadowing typically involves hints or clues about future events in the story, and this passage primarily provides background information about censorship and the protagonist's actions. Foreshadowing might appear later in the story to hint at what could happen to Juan as a result of his actions.

**Purple (Answering Highlighted Question)**:

The highlighted question, "What choices does Juan make to 'protect' himself and Mariana from the censors?" is not directly answered in the provided text. However, based on the context provided, Juan makes a choice to write a letter to Mariana despite knowing the risks of censorship. This choice could potentially endanger both himself and Mariana, as the authorities could intercept and read the letter.

If you have specific passages or questions related to the text itself or its analysis, please provide them, and I'll be happy to assist further.