The Censors by Luisa Valenzuela: Government Control Vs. Individual Freedom

Luisa Valenzuela's short story, "The Censors," tells the story of Juan, a young man who moves to the city with the hope of becoming a writer. He ultimately finds himself working for the same government that he wants to criticize in his fiction. Through Juan's character and experiences, Valenzuela explores the interplay of government control and individual freedom.

Juan's Conflict

Juan's journey in "The Censors" is characterized by his conflict between his desire for personal freedom and his need for professional success in a society with strict censorship laws. The government controls everything, from the media to individuals' personal experiences. Juan struggles to find a way to express himself while also following the rules set by the government agency for which he works. This conflict is evident in Juan's experiences with the character Mariana.

Mariana's Influence

Mariana is someone who Juan meets as he begins his new job. She is a passionate woman who represents his desire to live freely and without restraint. However, as Juan spends more time with Mariana, he realizes that he cannot fully be himself around her. He has to watch what he says and does, lest he get in trouble. This conflict culminates in Juan's decision to censor a letter that Mariana has written to her lover. He takes it upon himself to cross out any potentially harmful content, without her consent. He believes he is doing the right thing, but this decision ultimately leads to him betraying Mariana's trust and jeopardizing their relationship.

Government Control

Juan's experiences with Mariana are just one example of the ways in which government control affects individuals in Valenzuela's story. Juan's work for the government agency also highlights this theme. As he starts to read and censor letters, he notices the multitude of ways that people are being controlled and manipulated. He realizes that the people in charge of censorship have a tremendous amount of power over the population, and that he himself is complicit in this system.

Exploring Themes

The tension between government control and individual freedom is an overarching theme in "The Censors." However, Valenzuela does not provide a clear solution to this problem. Her story does not offer a straightforward critique of censorship or authoritarianism. Instead, it is a complex exploration of the factors that contribute to these systems of control and the ways in which individuals are complicit in them.

Use of Humor

One way in which Valenzuela explores this theme is through the use of humor. "The Censors" is a darkly comic story that satirizes the excesses of government control. For example, the character who Juan works for is named Palomino. Palomino is a comically exaggerated character who embodies the worst aspects of bureaucratic red tape. He micromanages everything, from the type of paper that Juan uses to print out his censored letters to the color of his ink. This irony highlights the absurdity of government control and invites readers to question its validity.

Character of Juan

Another way in which Valenzuela explores the theme of government control and individual freedom is through the character of Juan himself. Juan is someone who is initially idealistic and hopeful about his new job, but he quickly realizes that he cannot maintain his integrity and comply with the rules of censorship. He tries to resist the system, but ultimately finds himself trapped within it. This narrative of a flawed, morally compromised protagonist challenges readers to consider their own role in perpetuating systems of control.

Conclusion

Overall, "The Censors" is a powerful exploration of the tension between government control and individual freedom. Through the character of Juan and his experiences in a society with strict censorship laws, Valenzuela invites readers to consider the implications of living in a society where individual freedoms are constantly being curtailed. Her story is a warning about the dangers of complacency and complicity in the face of government control, and it underscores the importance of promoting and defending individual freedom in all its forms.