Question

Why does Juan censor his own letter "without regret"? How is his final action as a censor an example of irony, or a seeming contradiction? How does this ending illustrate Valenzuela's point of view about the political situation in Argentina? Support your response with evidence from the text.

Answer 1

Answer and Explanation:

1. He censors his own letter because he has been immensely involved in the censor's work, going so far as to override his own wishes, so that the government's wishes are fulfilled.

2. This is an example of irony and contradiction, because Juan decided to accept the job as a censor, to prevent the letters he sends from being censored, but he ends up doing exactly the opposite.

3. This reinforces the idea that the political situation in Argentina was very oppressive and authoritarian, going so far as to change the thinking of citizens who, instead of fighting it, were completely manipulated, to the point of helping.