The Bravery of Minerva in In The Time of The Butterflies by Julia Alvarez

Besides, she is the leader of her group of friends and is willing to do anything, regardless of the consequences, to protect herself from punishment, which

out how horrible Trujillo is. She states "When I met Lío, it was as if I woke up." (Pg. 58). This is

In the novel In the Time of the Butterflies, written by Julia Alvarez, one of the main characters, Minerva, shows many different types of courage throughout the whole story. The novel is about the true story of how a family is dominated by their countries dictator and the daughters attempt to free themselves and their family.

Mark Twain stated “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear”. To be courageous, one must be fearless, strong, and faithful. In the story, “In the Time of Butterflies”, four sisters have to display courage during a time of a bloody revolution. They have to overcome many obstacles including imprisonment, death and divorce but they all revolt and stay strong to themselves and their families and never give up.

In some cases butterflies represent beauty, freedom, and imagery. In the Time of the Butterflies, by Julia Alvarez, The Mirabal sisters represent honor and freedom by the way they react in the book. An example of Minerva Mirabal exemplifying freedom is when she says, “I stare at Manuel de Moya as if pinning him to the wall. ‘I’d sooner jump out that window than be forced to do something against my honor’” (111). This quote explains how Minerva will stick for her true roots, and will not ever do anything to dishonor her family. Minerva and the rest of the Mirabal sisters do what they think is right and will do whatever it takes to stay true to what they believe in. Another example of the Mirabal sisters representing a butterfly is when

Both Minerva Mirabal from In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez and Antigone from Antigone by Sophocles sacrificed their lives for something that they believed in; this is something they had in common. They had many other things in common also, as well as differences that set them apart from each other and those around them. Both characters were religious, strong-headed, and independent. Neither were afraid to oppose adversity for what they believed was correct. However, their family lives were very different, as well as the time periods that they were from, their cause of death, and what they stood for. These characters are both similar and different, but they were both courageous and kind for standing up for themselves and others.

Julia Alvarez’s book, In the Time of Butterflies, is the detailed retelling of how four sisters lived through an oppressive dictatorship. Throughout the book each sister goes through a great deal of hardships both mentally and physically. The Mirabal sisters’ throughout the book sacrifice so much, by doing this it shows their determination towards receiving their freedom, and their courageousness.

“If you don’t study your history, you are going to repeat it” (312). Dedé states this in In the Time of the Butterflies after being questioned why she shares her story. The historical fiction novel by Julia Alvarez, takes place in the 1940’s, under the dictatorship of Trujillo, and in 1994 when Dedé recites her family’s historic and engrossing life. The Mirabal sisters up rise against the government, hoping to gain freedom for the Dominican Republic. Alvarez’s In the Time of the Butterflies exemplifies the attributes Vladimir Nabakov would consider necessary for great literature as specified in his essay, “Good Readers and Good Writers.” Alvarez’s masterpiece focuses on a rebellious young woman who challenges the dictatorial Trujillo

The trait that Patria Mirabel greatly acquired is amazing faith. Patria would go to huge measures to do what she knew was right. She and her sisters showed acts of bravery in the fight against the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo. These acts are what caused them to be seen as modern heroes. In Julia Alvarez’ novel In the Time of the Butterflies Patria Mirabel and her sisters were just four ordinary girls from the Dominican Republic that saw a need in their country and wanted to do something about it.

When writing about important historical figures, people often make the error of building these figures into the image of an invincible, godlike hero, when in fact, they are ordinary people who accomplish extraordinary things. The author of In the Time of the Butterflies, Julia Alvarez, takes a historical figure, Minerva Mirabal, and shows the completely human side of the woman who inspired the revolution against the Dominican dictator, Rafael Trujillo. Despite her self-doubt and other insecurities, Minerva exhibits remarkable courage that inspires a revolution.

Throughout In The Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez, rain is used to foreshadow

“not the monster society thinks I am…” because since her 20 years in prison she has been caught

Based on a true story, ‘In the Time of the Butterflies’ is a captivating, moving, and superb story written by Julia Alvarez. It takes its readers through the challenges and acceptances of a growing family and the life changing moments for the Mirabal sisters. These sisters will forever be remembered in Dominican Republic because of their honorary fight for their country. As women, their story is inspirational. However, two sisters that stand out the most to me are Patria and Minerva Mirabal, these sisters are perhaps the most conspicuous because they are complete polar opposites. Yet, no matter their differences they will always be remembered as the Butterflies. (not really satisfied with this intro)

The final chapters of In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez left me staring at the book for a few minutes. Not only did the deep characters have me enthralled towards the end but also the theme of the novel really spoke to me. In chapter 7 Maria gets a new diary and write about how she has a crush on two of her cousins( which is kind of strange but acceptable in that culture I guess). Late when asked which cousin she picks she chooses neither. Then she goes and moves in with her Dedè and her sons who have stated an ice cream business that fails. Minerva gets married and pregnant. Later she finds out he husband cheated on her and they move. Trujillo then takes away Minerva’s ability to practice law. Maria and Minerva

Most stories that are told from the point of view of a single narrator portray a clear antagonist that may dislike, conflict with, or pose a threat to the person who is narrating the story. In In The Time of the Butterflies, by Julia Alvarez, the most apparent antagonist in the story is the ruthless dictator of the Dominican Republic, Rafael Trujillo. However, Trujillo was only seen as a threat to society by the people that wanted to get rid of him, the people that he was making suffer for his own benefit. If one was to look at this issue from the government’s perspective, Rafael Trujillo would be the evident protagonist of the story, even despite his atrocious ruling expertise.