What Makes a Heroine in Julia Alvarez's In the Time of the Butterflies

After both Minerva and Mate, her younger sister, join the revolution, they find themselves in jail very quickly. “We're in Cell #61, Pavilion A, La Victoria—Dulce, Miriam, Violeta, Asela, Delia, Sina, Minerva, and [Mate]”(Alvarez 228). Minerva knows from the beginning that by joining the rebels, she will most likely end up in jail; however, she continues to do what she believes is right for her country. Nevertheless, once when they are inevitably imprisoned, Minerva never lets her courage falter as Mate wonders, “Where does that sister of mine get her crazy courage? (Alvarez 238).” This yet again proves her strength and also her faith in the power of the revolution. Many in the Dominican Republic stay quiet when it comes to Trujillo’s tyrannical rule because they are afraid of being thrown in jail and being kept from their families. Despite this great fear, Minerva knows that it would be worth the sacrifice and she uses her extreme courage and blinding faith to make it

out of jail. Minerva is very special because she was going to be one the first women in history

when Minerva meets her second friend who is an enemy of Trujillo. He is the one who is most

admirers until I have my law degree." P.66 Minerva explains to Trujillo that her law degree is

This shows that Minerva wants to rebel against the government not for her own freedom or enjoyment, but that she wants to do it for the people she cares about. Which in this case is every citizen of the Dominican Republic. Minerva had always been a frontrunner of the revolution since the beginning. This is made obvious to the reader is when Minerva is listening to speeches given by another revolutionary in Cuba. “There was a broadcast of a speech by this man Fidel, who is trying to overturn their dictator over in Cuba.

She invests herself fully in her work against Trujillo. Maté was excited saying, "I told Minerva

Courage: Displayed by Characters Courage is an action shown by brave people that stand up for what they believe in. Soldiers are a prime example of courage, they show courageous actions everyday. Everyday, soldiers put their on the line to protect others. People by choice, choose to become a soldier; they arent forced to. Not only do soldiers demonstrate courage, but characters in stories also show more couragous acts.

Courage is not simply about how well you deal with fear, how many noble deeds you accomplish, or how you overcome life threatening situations. Courage is the practice of determination and perseverance. Kate Bornstein transforms everyday life with tremendous courage. With skillful criticism of rigid socially defined boundaries, an intense sense of language and revealing personal experiences, Bornstein challenges cultural attitudes about gender.

Minerva was a truly incredible person. She was just as ordinary as anyone else, but

Courage or the act of being courageous is something that can depict if a person is being weak. This act ties into the classic tale when identifying the strength it took Sundiata to walk. Sundiata was at an age where other young boys were gathering objects for their mothers and he simply could not, due to the fact that he was unable to walk. However, “In a great effort he straightened up and was on his feet at one go, but the great bar of iron was twisted and had taken the form of a bow.” (Page 21) A boy who once couldn't walk was now walking. He who once had to depend on his mother can now be the one his mother depends on. Thus, “ When Sogolon saw her son standing she stood dumb for a moment, then suddenly she sang these words of thanks to god who had given her son the use of his legs”. (Page 21) Sogolon was so discouraged to the point where the sight of her son’s slow development became an embarrassment. She soon became joyful of the courage

A courageous action most often is associated with reaching a goal or task of importance, despite the dangers even risks associated with it (“Courage”). For any specific act to be considered truly courageous it must be reasonably thought about and determined that the goal is well worth the risk or danger (“Courage”). Courage so often can be put with words such as heroic, and bravery although with courage there can be a fine line between courageous acts and plain foolishness. All this can make people believe that courage only applies to physical actions. There are two kinds of courage moral and physical in many cases they are both displayed in a single courageous act; however, bravery must come before all else, because they are associated with reaching a task of importance regardless of risk.

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 sat in the tub soaking for what seemed like hours, she could feel the minutes slink to hours, then depress into a void of ambiguity. Hammering away in her workshop Minerva had pieced the final magnetic coil into the rifles barrel, suddenly feeling woozy, as her vision begin to become hazy, there was a loud crash and then stillness. Sitting upon her mighty throne on the planetary fortress known as Strugar the huge planet was made of metal, devised for a single purpose to be a place without the peering eyes of others no personnel was allowed on this planet

Courage is crucial to be able to overcome obstacles and help others. Courage is a big theme in The Outsiders. For example, Ponyboy showed a lot of courage when he decided to fight in the rumble. He wasn’t in good shape as he had lost weight and was very tense. However, he fought in the rumble regardless to show his gang that he

Courage is a necessity to overcome fears and achieve a desired goal. Fear is something that exists in all of us. There is no hero or any particular courageous figure that is without fear. Being fearless is not required to be courageous, one simply has to look past or overcome their fears to possess this great quality. When overcoming fears and going against the norm, there are always risks involved. There are different types of risks that come about. Someone could risk life or limb, while others risk their reputation. Either risk is serious enough that a person must have courage to endure that particular risk. Courage can occur anytime, anywhere, and often in our everyday lives. Everyone will experience courage no matter how young,