Understanding the Characters
FINAL JEOPARDY!!!!!
At the beginning of the story, Juan wants to protect his letter and his relationship with Mariana. However, he eventually becomes a censor and begins taking away other people's freedom.
What does Juan's change teach readers about how people in power can affect freedom in society?
A. People in power always protect the freedom of others.
B. People can become part of a system that takes away the freedoms they once wanted to protect.
C. People should avoid making personal connections with others.
D. Government rules always make society safer.
B
Evidence: Juan joins the Censorship Division to protect his letter, but eventually becomes so involved in his job that he censors the letter himself.
How does Juan feel when he receives Mariana's new address?
He feels happy and excited because he believes Mariana has not forgotten him.
Where does Mariana live when Juan receives her new address?
Paris
What does the word "intercept" mean when Juan wants to intercept his letter?
To stop something before it reaches its destination.
Why does the narrator begin the story by saying, "Poor Juan!"?
To make readers feel sympathy for Juan and suggest something bad may happen to him.
What is one major theme of the story?
Censorship can take away people's freedom.
Why does Juan apply for a job as a censor?
He wants to find and stop his own letter before it reaches Mariana.
What does Juan want to send to Mariana after receiving her address?
A letter.
What does "sabotage" mean when Juan talks about stopping the censorship system?
To purposely damage or disrupt something.
Why does the author call Juan's job a "noble mission" when he is censoring letters?
To show irony because Juan believes he is doing something good, but his actions hurt people's freedom.
Why does the government examine every part of people's letters?
To control what people communicate and look for messages against the government.
What does Juan's decision to report his coworker tell us about him?
He is beginning to care more about his job than helping others.
What dangerous item are letters checked for in Section K?
Explosives
What does "subversive" mean when describing messages against the government?
Trying to weaken or overthrow the government.
What does the difference between the cheerful outside of the building and the serious inside suggest?
Things may look pleasant on the outside but be very different on the inside.
Why does Juan receive a promotion after reporting his coworker?
Because he shows loyalty to the censorship system.
How does Juan change from the beginning to the end of the story?
He changes from someone who wants to protect Mariana into someone who strongly supports censorship.
Why does Juan think ordinary messages might be dangerous?
He believes people may be hiding secret messages that go against the government.
What does "irreproachable" mean when Juan describes his letter?
Completely harmless or without anything wrong.
Why does the author describe Juan using special tools to examine letters?
To show how extreme and unreasonable the censorship system has become.
How does the story show that people in power can control others?
The government controls what people can say and send to one another.
What can we tell about Juan's priorities when he starts censoring letters?
His job has become more important to him than his original reason for becoming a censor.
What happens when Juan finally finds his letter to Mariana?
He censors the letter and is executed the next morning.
What does the phrase "ulterior motives" mean when describing Juan's reason for getting the job?
Having a hidden reason for doing something.
Why is the ending surprising or ironic?
Juan spends the story trying to protect his letter, but when he finds it, he censors it himself.
What lesson does Juan's ending teach readers about censorship?
People who support an unfair system can eventually become victims of that same system.