Luisa Valenzuela
 FOCUS
FREE WRITE
 You may list, web, brainstorm,
 Be ready to discuss your thoughts.
 THE
ESSENTIAL QUESTION:
 What do you know about censorship?
 Is it good or important? Is it bad? Explain
 What
is censorship?
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2SZxY5
MQzw
 From
Latin America
 Wrote short stories &
novels
 Against dictatorship
in 1970s in Argentina
 Feminist perspective
 Against government
control
published in 1976
 Military faction overthrew Argentina’s
government
 Severe rule, restricted liberties
 Killed those who opposed
 Strict censorship of its citizens

 http://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=F_eCsvfRX68
 An
attack on or
Based on the title, what
criticism of any
could the author have
stupidity or vice in been making political
the form of
commentary about?
scathing humor, or
a critique of what
the author sees as
dangerous
religious, political,
moral, or social
standards
 How
much
censorship is bad?
 Kenny
Fritz is my
favorite student
 Can
censorship
change a person?
 TICKET
OUT THE DOOR QUESTION:
 Based
on what we discussed today, what
is a satire?
 Start
your answer with “A satire is…”
 ANSWERS MUST BE IN COMPLETE
SENTENCES.
 Why
does Juan
become a censor?
 To intercept a
letter he wrote to
Marianna
 Who
is Mariana?
What can you
conclude about
the past and
current
relationship?
 His friend; close at
one point but she
left
 How
does Juan
jeopardize
Marina’s safety?
 By writing her a
letter, the
government
censors & inspects
mail
 Why
does Juan
want to intercept
the letter he
mailed to Mariana?
 To protect her
from the content
of his letter;
people were hurt
who wrote &
received letters
 How
does Juan
work his way
through the
Censorship
Division?
 What
does Juan do
when he finds his
letter?
 What
finally
happens to Juan?

What is our opinion of
Juan? What kind of
character is he?
Support your opinion
with examples from the
story. (5 points)
Explain how and why
Juan seems to change
during the course of his
work as a censor. (Hint:
What are his initial
motivations, his
attitude toward work
and duty, his gradual
changes in attitude?)
 In
addition to
telling an
entertaining story,
what else do you
think Valenzuela’s
purpose might be?
 Why
do you think
censorship is more
severe in
dictatorships than
in democracies?
Do you think that
censorship is
necessary in
certain
circumstances?
 What
is a satire?
What elements of
the story make it a
satire? Use specific
examples.