Pereira Declares

     In the United States we are fortunate to have a government that is based on democracy and allows for personal liberties and freedom.  The first amendment in the U. S. Constitution provides for the freedom of speech, allowing citizens to express their beliefs and ideas with government restrictions.  The story, Pereira Declares, by Antonio Tabucchi, addresses the freedom of expression or lack thereof as well as its consequences.  This book takes place in Portugal, at a time, when the country is under the control of an authoritarian regime.   Their main objective is to keep people from questioning their motives and limiting the literature available to its people.   The main character, a man named Pereira, writes for a newspaper called the Libosa.  As a writer, under such restrictions he is limited to what he can write.

“Then do something about it. Such as what?, asked Pereira. Well, said Senhora Delgado, you’re intellectual, tell people what’s going on in Europe, tell them your honest opinion, just get on and do something” (Tabucchi 45).

     In this particular quote Senhora Delgado is trying to convince Pereira to share his opinions in his writing.  He responds to her by saying, “I’ll do my best Senhora Delgado, but it isn’t easy to do one’s best in a country like this for a person like me” (45).  Pereira is afraid of the consequences that come with sharing his views in the paper.    This notion of limiting expression has been apparent throughout history.  A notorious example of this occurred in Germany during World War II when the Nazis burned a plethora of books in an attempt to control others.  The Nazis were aware of the power of written word and went to drastic measures to eliminate it.  Pereira understands that if he were to write his own opinions, he would become an enemy of the government.  No matter how much he wants to tell the truth, he is unable to because he would run the risk of putting himself in harm’s way.  Pereira Declares has further opened my eyes to the importance of writing and the significance of my first amendment right.