What Are The Martyrs In Julia Alvarez's In The Time Of The Butterflies
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a martyr is a “person who sacrifices something of great value and especially life itself for the sake of principle” and in Julia Alvarez’s novel In the Time of the Butterflies, no one encompasess this more than the book’s four protagonists—Dedé, Minerva, María Teresa, and Patria—the Mirabal sisters. Known as Las Mariposas, the Butterflies, these women suffered for the right to pursue freedom in a revolution against the Dominican Republic's oppressive dictator Rafael Trujillo. In their revolutionary efforts, these remarkable sisters have become icons in the public eye of the DR, and have been heralded as great leaders for their bravery and hope despite enduring such tortures as imprisonment and bombings. …show more content…
The Mirabal’s father had been engaged in a risky love affair with another woman, and Margarita is one of the daughters of the family formed by the secret couple. After receiving valuable information regarding three of the imprisoned Mirabal sisters from her mother’s cousin, Margarita transferred the news—on the label from a can of tomato paste—to an anxious Patria who was relieved to hear that her sisters were alright. Margarita, of her own accord, made the great risk to smuggle the priceless note to Patria. If she had been caught, death may have ensued for the poor woman, and the incarcerated siblings might have been killed as well. The great courage Margarita displayed is an act worthy of lavish praise, yet none was given.
Rufino is someone else deserving of attention for his actions. He was the sister’s trusted driver, claiming that “‘Doña Dedé, you think i’ll let anything happen to the butterflies? They’ll have to kill me first’” (pg. 269). He was willing to chaperone the most highly wanted people in the country, a risk that, in the end, cost him his life. He was under no obligation to drive the sisters, and yet he did so anyways. The courage he showed was tremendous, and his brave risk should have been
Time Of The Butterflies Character Analysis
286 Words | 2 PagesIn the Time of the Butterflies, characters are seen making morally challenging decisions. Maria Teresa, Mate, is the youngest Mirabel sister. She is described as virtuous and fears elementary things. However, Mate and Minerva are held captive in prison. Fortunately, The OAS Peace Committee schedules to interview a prisoner in each pavilion, Mate has been selected.
Mirabal Sisters Vs Trujillo
242 Words | 1 PagesMerriam-Webster defines martyrdom as “the suffering of death on account of adherence to a cause.” The Mirabal sisters adhere to this definition perfectly, their opposition of Trujillo awes the nation but in the end, results in their murders. Their Mirabal sisters were key in the Dominican Republic’s movement towards democracy. If your death allows a nation to move forward in its freedoms and rights, your sacrifice is definitely worth it. Patria, Maria Teresa, and Minerva join the underground hoping to make a change.
Point Of View In The Time Of The Butterflies
373 Words | 2 PagesLiterature Assignment Point of View In the Time of the Butterflies In the Time of the Butterflies is a novel written by Julia Alvarez. This book is written in the first person point of view. This is one of the easier ways to go about writing a book or short story.
Strong Relationships In Maria Teresa's In The Time Of Butterflies
308 Words | 2 PagesIn chapter 11 of In the Time of Butterflies, a positive aspect of prison for Maria Teresa is the strong relationships she built with the other women because it gave her something to depend on while she was going through tough times. On April 8, Maria Teresa wrote about her conversations with the other women in prison. Her and another lady Magdalena started talking about the strong connection that all the women shared in jail. After the conversation began between the two, the other women came over to Maria Teresa and Magdalena and started to share their ideas and opinions. All the women were starting to come together as a group and their relationships were getting stronger.
Freedom In Bless Me Ultima
880 Words | 4 PagesGabriel and Maria’s arguments are portrayed through the lens of Antonio. Gabriel Marez, Antonio’s father, was a vaquero all his life. His last name signifies
In The Time Of The Butterflies Religion Essay
741 Words | 3 PagesIt provides a role in character development shown predominantly in Patrias character. It shows the extent of Trujillo’s actions against the Dominican people by showing Patrias desperateness for her son. These examples depicted in the book show how the theme of religion has an impact on In the Time of the
In The Time Of The Butterflies Patria Character Analysis
540 Words | 3 PagesCourage Courage is strength in the face of pain. Julia Alvarez portrays different types of courage in her novel, In the Time of the Butterflies. The novel is set during the time of Trujillo's dictatorship in the Dominican Republic. As a result, some of the Mirabal sisters; Minerva, Maria Teresa, and Patria, to take a step in joining a revolution against him.
The Mirabal Sisters Character Analysis
777 Words | 4 PagesThe Mirabal sisters were revolutionaries who opposed the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo. During the revolution, they were given the code name “Las Mariposas”, or “the butterflies”. The term “mariposa” suits each sister in a different way. Patria, Dedé, Minerva, and Mate Mirabal each have their one reason to be compared to a butterfly. The nickname “mariposa” shows who the Mirabal sisters are; they transformed from domestic, innocent mothers and wives into brave, defiant martyrs for national freedom.
In The Time Of The Butterflies Theme Essay
1029 Words | 5 PagesJulia Alvarez’s In the Time of the Butterflies is a work of historical fiction set in the Dominican Republic that focuses on the four Mirabal sisters who bond together to rebel against the corrupt leader of their country, Rafael Trujillo. The four Mirabal sisters, Patria, Dedé, Minerva, and María Teresa form closer relationships with each other as they figure out a way to bring down the tyranny of Rafael Trujillo. Although they have a mutual goal, each of the Mirabal sisters has different feelings and thoughts throughout this time period. The theme of coming-of-age and identify is best exemplified through the character of María Teresa, known as Mate, through the ways she matures throughout the novel and becomes her own person who stands up for what she believes in.
Marxist Criticism In Time Of The Butterflies
804 Words | 4 PagesTrujillo gets worried when he learns about the 14th of June Movement because he knows that the goal of the movement is to overthrow or kill him. One by one, he starts jailing members of the movement, as well as ransacking or destroying their homes. At Patria’s house, Trujillo has the SIM tear “...the house apart, hauling away the doors, windows, the priceless mahogany beams of Pedrito’s old family rancho” (Alvarez 192). The way that he messes with those involved in the movement is cruel. After having their homes ransacked, Trujillo jails only the Mirabal husbands, which makes the sisters think they are safe.
Relationships In Wildwood
1093 Words | 5 PagesLola takes advantage of her deteriorating mother whose illness represents the declining hold of the norms over Lola. Since her mom “will have trouble lifting her arms over her head for the rest of her life,” Lola is no longer afraid of the “hitting” and grabbing “by the throat” (415,419). As a child of a “Old World Dominican Mother” Lola must be surrounded by traditional values and beliefs that she does not want to claim, so “as soon as she became sick” Lola says, “I saw my chance and I’m not going to pretend or apologize; I saw my chance and I eventually took it” (416). When taking the opportunity to distinguish herself from the typical “Dominican daughter” or ‘Dominican slave,” she takes a cultural norm like long hair and decides to impulsively change it (416). Lola enjoyed the “feeling in [her] blood, the rattle” that she got when she told Karen to “cut my hair” (418).
Symbolism In In The Time Of The Butterflies By Julia Alvarez
899 Words | 4 PagesAfter reading In the Time of the Butterflies, one can clearly see that Dominican-American author Julia Alvarez thoughtfully and purposefully incorporated a plethora of symbols throughout the story in order to carefully craft her novel. From instances as large as the title of the novel, to concepts as simple as the weather each day of the narration, Alvarez shows deep consideration in utilizing the literary device of symbolism consistently throughout the story. Alvarez took the time to deliberately focus and place emphasis on the element of symbolism in order to not only recognize Dominican culture, but to highlight the journey of the Mirabal sisters as they left their mark on society and fought back against the oppressive Trujillo regime. As
Mirabal Sisters In Trujillo's Extreme Sacrifice
752 Words | 4 PagesIt can be said without question that the Mirabal sisters made extreme sacrifices in the name of social justice. They gave up their time, their energy, their families, their safety, and finally, their lives. But did those sacrifices really make a difference? After all, they were killed before they could see Trujillo’s regime topple. And the sisters arguably did little to impact Trujillo’s reign and his assassination several months after their deaths.
Character Analysis: Bless Me, Ultima By Rudolfo Anaya
1649 Words | 7 PagesGabriel, a vaquero, who exposes the love of the llano, expresses his way of life and freedom. Their kids, three eldest sons, two daughters, and youngest son Antonio, the protagonist, become
Mirabal Sisters Argumentative Essay
598 Words | 3 PagesFrom the moment that the Dominican republic was free from Trujillo’s dictatorship, contrasting viewpoints have come up regarding the sacrifices of the Mirabal sisters. While some argue that the Mirabal sisters sacrifices were not beneficial and worthwhile to the revolution because it resulted in the orphaning of their children and three young lives were lost. Others argue that the Mirabal sisters sacrifices were effective for the revolution since it changed the future of their country. I deem the sisters sacrifices are justifiable because their sacrifices had an important purpose. Isn’t it true that Trujillo's was absolutely in power for 31 years however, because of the three young sisters his cruel regime ended.
More about What Are The Martyrs In Julia Alvarez's In The Time Of The Butterflies
Time Of The Butterflies Character Analysis
286 Words | 2 PagesMirabal Sisters Vs Trujillo
242 Words | 1 PagesPoint Of View In The Time Of The Butterflies
373 Words | 2 PagesStrong Relationships In Maria Teresa's In The Time Of Butterflies
308 Words | 2 PagesFreedom In Bless Me Ultima
880 Words | 4 PagesIn The Time Of The Butterflies Religion Essay
741 Words | 3 PagesIn The Time Of The Butterflies Patria Character Analysis
540 Words | 3 PagesThe Mirabal Sisters Character Analysis
777 Words | 4 PagesIn The Time Of The Butterflies Theme Essay
1029 Words | 5 PagesMarxist Criticism In Time Of The Butterflies
804 Words | 4 PagesRelationships In Wildwood
1093 Words | 5 PagesSymbolism In In The Time Of The Butterflies By Julia Alvarez
899 Words | 4 PagesMirabal Sisters In Trujillo's Extreme Sacrifice
752 Words | 4 PagesCharacter Analysis: Bless Me, Ultima By Rudolfo Anaya
1649 Words | 7 PagesMirabal Sisters Argumentative Essay
598 Words | 3 Pages