Everything you need to understand or teach Conversation in the Cathedral by Mario Vargas Llosa.
Two dominant themes are developed: the first is the corruption and evil generated by the repressive regime and the resulting injustices it perpetuates. There is no hope for a society lost in a morass of degeneration, depravity and sexual degradation. Well-intentioned characters are overcome by pervasive destructive forces to become pathetic loyal subjects.
The second theme is the loss of individual will or the inability to exercise one's will to rise above mediocrity...