Lecture on Luisa Valenzuela and Her Short Story 'The Censors'

Introduction

• Speaker's Opening: Thanks to Creative Commons for music allowing cultural experiences.
• Story Overview:
  • Story by Luisa Valenzuela
  • Argentine journalist and fiction writer, born in Buenos Aires
  • Lived in Spain, Mexico, U.S. due to political turmoil
  • Writing reflects Argentina's political/military struggles
  • Uses dark humor and grotesque elements

Historical Context

• Military Dictatorship (1976-1983)
  • Known as the Process of National Reorganization
  • Period marked by violence, concentration camps, mass graves
  • Citizens lived in fear, fled the country
  • Important theme: situational irony

Summary of 'The Censors'

• Plot Overview

  • Protagonist: Juan, joins censorship division
  • Intends to intercept his own letter to Mariana in Paris
  • Argentine regime's censorship described as thorough and oppressive

• Key Points in the Story

  • Situational Irony: Juan’s effort to intercept his own letter backfires
  • Work Conditions: Dangerous, stressful environment, e.g., worker losing hand
  • Moral Dilemma: Juan reports a coworker, gets promotions
  • Transformation: Juan's growing obsession with his censor job
  • Conclusion: Juan censors his own letter, leading to his execution

Themes & Discussion

• Main Themes

  • Power of censorship
  • Ironic twists and situational irony
  • Psychological effects of becoming part of oppressive systems

• Discussion Questions

  • Realism in the story: Can a person becoming a censor eventually turn on themselves?
  • Broader implications of censorship

Closing Remarks

• Encouragement to write and explore similar themes

Final Thoughts

• The ironic twist at the end of the story illustrates the dangers and futility of oppressive regimes and censorship.