Summary Of In The Time Of The Butterflies By Julia Alvarez

Thomas C. Foster’s How to Read Literature Like a Professor allows people to take books that they normally wouldn’t think to analyze in a certain way and opens a whole new spectrum on literature. In the TIme of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez connects with the idea and principles of Foster’s book if you take a deep look in the book you are reading. Like Foster says in chapter seven or the bible, In the Time of the Butterflies is a literary work able to connect with this chapter, having a bible reference to extend or emphasize the story thematically.

The Dominican Republic’s dictator Rafael Trujillo had thousands of people killed because of their disobedience to him. From the 1930s to 1960s the country was under the control of Trujillo. He had taken control of the Dominican Republic and used his power against people who decided not to follow him and his laws. The four Mirabal sisters, Minerva, Patria, Mate, and Dede were all risking their lives because of their involvement in the underground, against their harsh dictator. In the book In the time of the Butterflies, the four Mirabal sisters perspectives are impacted by the underground movement against Trujillo because of each of their involvement with the revolution.

In her novel, In the Time of the Butterflies, Julia Alvarez unfolds a dramatic character transformation of the Mirabal sister, Maria Teresa. She is detailed to be a very thoughtful character who always seem to look out for others, especially those important to her in life. Alvarez induces this empowering development of Maria Teresa through the usage of diction, point of view and selection of detail.

The minister then questions her but after his unsuccessful attempt, Mother’s actions become a scandal throughout the town because “any deviation from the ordinary course of life in this quiet town was enough to stop all progress in it” (C670). This does not bother Mother and she successfully continues with her plans. By overcoming this alienation both characters achieve feminine empowerment.

All the sisters have changed through the book: Patria has gained enough courage and bravery to join the revolution; Dede’s transformation is her political views strengthen and expand; Minerva being an independent person is her freedom, but she transforms when she has to give her child to Patria; Maria Teresa’s transformation was that she became an adult that could think, decide and act by herself. The purpose that is served by Alvarez’s use of violent imagery throughout the novel is to let us penetrate deep into the events that happened during the time of the Butterflies. With the fully emotional validity, demonstration of the essence of each person's thoughts, feelings, and emotions, and also the author’s attitude to the things, characters and

When you hear of the Mirabal sisters, which sister comes to mind first? When thinking of a hero, Minerva comes to mind first. She was a hero to many. In In The Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez, Minerva's actions symbol courage, love, and sacrifice. Minerva was a strong individual that knew how to stand for what she believed in. She was mature and responsible. Minerva stood up to Trujillo, had a mindset to go to law school, and was favorited by her parents.

Throughout history women have always been minimized from social, sexual , and political aspects juxtaposed to men. Just like in the novel  In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez, the author uses the Mirabal sisters to demonstrate the inequalities set in the Dominican Republic. The dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo causes the Mirabal sisters to come together and overthrow Trujillo’s regime.Trujillo. Rafael Trujillo was despised by many yet many were forced to worship him like some type of paragon. As the novel progresses, illustrations of male dominance often appear throughout each chapter. The Mirabal sisters: Minerva, Patria, Maria Teresa and Dede each demonstrate the ability to overcome stigmas in order to obtain freedom.

Courage is an important trait that needs to be present in order to affect change. The book in the time of butterflies by Julia Alvarez demonstrates this need for courage in the story of the four Mirabal sisters who acted with courage to create change in the Dominican Republic. They do this by showing great courage in the face of oppression. Minerva was one of the bravest of the Mirabal sisters. She shows: moral, intellectual, emotional, and physical courage throughout her life. These are demonstrated in her leadership and her heroic actions of resistance. Some of her main sources of courage were her childhood friends, her family, her sense of justice, and desire for equality. She shows courage repeatedly sticking up for what is right despite of threats,

Within the novel, “In the Time of the Butterflies,” Mate, Minerva, Dede, and Patria had to create decisions to overcome obstacles that would transform each of their lives. Throughout the book, all of the sisters changed somehow. They all grew up, matured, and saw things how they never viewed before. While looking at these things at a different perception, they learned to make decisions that were sometimes brave and sometimes cowardly. Each of the Mirabal sisters had to choose whether or not to be fearful and give up, or be courageous and stand her ground, or make sacrifices to show her strength throughout the novel.

Minerva with her revolutionary fever and contagious spirit seems unstoppable for a time in her fight against Trujillo’s regime. Despite warnings to watch out for her safety and well being, Minerva continued to push boundaries and dared to go where all other Dominicans feared to go. Patria was the religious, faithful sister, who showed her hidden boldness starting a Christian revolutionary group and joined with Minerva. Maria Theresa was the happiest, the most upbeat, Mirabal sister. In the beginning, she was only along for the ride, but as she continued to work towards the change for her country, she became more and more inspired and touched by her own goals. Lastly, Dede was always the most cautious and careful sister. She was one who remained uninvolved with her sisters’ revolution. Dede had warned the others that were danger and that should not go up to the secluded prison. She and although her sisters tried more than once to include her in their cause, she refused. –From Smith In The Time Of The Butterflies (http://www.blogger.com)

Minerva falls in love and starts a revolution with the love of her life. Minerva told her

In The Time of The Butterflies there were three sisters that would gain courage to fight for their rights and to get rid of Trujillo. They knew what they what they were up against and what some of the consequences could be but they had enough courage to fight for their rights. The three sisters from the story were Mate, Minerva, and Dede. Dede did not have as much courage as her sisters but throughout the book she builds some.

10 years ago today, we lost 3 of the most influential women, who got murdered under their own ruler’s orders. These women were the Mirabal sisters, or the Mariposas, went through a lot throughout their lives when Trujillo was in power, especially with his severely oppressive regime. Trujillo would hire spies to see if anyone did not agree with him or his ideas, and would assassinate them. Isn’t that purely inhumane to do to someone? Because of this, many people disliked Trujillo and his thoughts, of which the Mirabal sisters, Minerva, Patria, and Mate and Dede were among some of the people who thought so. These sisters couldn’t stand what Trujillo was doing anymore, so they decided to join the National Underground as a revolt against him. Many would say what these women did isn’t justified since it eventually it got them killed, but I believe it is worthwhile due to the fact that the Mirabals stood up for what they thought was right, while knowing that there may be a horrible outcome at the end. I’ve discovered that the sisters sacrificed a lot, including Minerva giving up her education and the sisters orphaning their kids, to fulfill their beliefs on what they think is

I would recommend In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez to my friend because the novel gives the four Mirabal sisters a voice to show why they rebelled against Rafael Leonidas Trujillo’s dictatorship through their experiences. In the novel, it states, “’People who opened their big mouths didn’t live very long,’ Sinita said. ‘Like my uncles I told you about. Then, two more uncles, and then my father.’ Sinita began crying again. ‘Then this summer, they killed my brother.’ My tummy ache had started up again. Or maybe it was always there, but I’d forgotten about it while trying to make Sinita feel better. ‘Stop, please,’ I begged her. ‘I think I’m going to throw up.’ ‘I can’t,’ she said. Sinita’s story spilled out like blood from a cut” (18). This quote shows Minerva’s first time hearing about the disturbing deeds of Trujillo. Sinita’s story made Minerva realize that the man that she had regarded as a god wasn’t as honorable as she thought. Consequently, Minerva started rebelling against Trujillo’s dictatorship because of his wrongdoings to the

Conversely, instead of seeking retribution, she may have endeavored to fall in love with Beauplaisir. If such is the case, she falls out of love, as she reads his letters to Mrs. Bloomer and Fantomina. She calls him, “Traitor!” and realizes he only says what women desire to hear. After her epiphany, her actions border on obsession. She becomes possessive of a man who she knows is unfaithful, but makes no plans to break off her escapades. Her going into labor is the only reason she must stop. The irony of her lack of sexual resistance as she changes from character to character makes the protagonist appear damaged and misguided. No matter what her objective is, she approaches it poorly and ends up causing even more emotional damage to herself.