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4. While we can make assumptions about what the government is trying to censor, the only 5
examples we see in this story are in paragraph 10, when Juan reads the phrases “the weather
is unsettled” and “prices are sky high.” Based on these examples, what do you think the
government is trying to accomplish through its censorship?
5. Re-read the last two sentences in paragraph 11. Explain the meaning of the phrase “self-
denying” in the context of Juan’s story. What is Valenzuela suggesting when she says that this
describes a “patriotic labor.” exploring other genres

Analyzing Language, Style, and Structure

1. Vocabulary in Context. Describing government workers, Valenzuela says they are /
“convinced of the nobility of their earthly mission.” What does the word “nobility” mean in this
context? How is this usage different from other uses you know of?
2. Throughout the piece, Valenzuela uses the word “they” to refer to the government. What is the Luisa Valenzuela
effect of this word choice?
3. Verbal irony is when words are used to express something contrary to truth or when someone
says the opposite of what they really feel or mean, sometimes called “sarcasm.” Explain how
the following are examples of verbal irony and what effect they have on the reader:
• “go home convinced of the nobility of their earthly mission” (par. 2)
• “The building, seen from outside, had a festive air because of the smoked glass that
reflected the sky” (par. 6)
• “he had finally found his true path” (last paragraph)
4. In paragraph 11, Valenzuela writes, “So much zeal brought him rapid promotion. We don’t
know if it made him very happy.” This is the first use of the pronoun we to refer to the narrator
of this story. What does this pronoun choice suggest? Why might she have used we as
opposed to I?
5. In the last paragraph, Valenzuela uses and repeats the word “naturally” to describe Juan’s and
the government’s actions. How does this word choice help to communicate a point that
Valenzuela is making about government and individuals?
Topics for Composing

1. Analyze. Juan set out to change the world that his government has made: “try to sabotage
the mechanism, throw sand in the gears, that is, go to the source of the problem in order to
obstruct it.” Explain why Juan fails in his attempt to change the world. Consider what it is
about the system or about his own personality that prevents him from succeeding.
2. Argument. While this story is fictional, it is based on real actions that governments have
taken to censor the information their citizens can share with one another. Is government
monitoring and censorship of its citizens ever appropriate? Take a position on this question
and write an argument explaining and defending your position. Be sure to consider the
balance between security and privacy.
3. Connection. You may have read other texts in this chapter written by people who, like the
fictional Juan, set out to change the world. Imagine that one of those authors has the
opportunity to explain to Juan where he went wrong. Adopting the persona of that author,
what feedback would you give Juan about his plan and decisions along the way? What advice
would you offer to save him from himself and the system in which he finds himself trapped?
You could address Juan in a letter, an email, a speech, or any mode that you think would best
communicate your feedback to him.
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