ipl-logo

Summary Of In The Time Of The Butterflies By Julia Alvarez

876 Words4 Pages

In the Time of the Butterflies, written by Julia Alvarez follows the lives of the 4 Mirabal sisters: Minerva, Mate, Patria, and Dede in their efforts against the oppressive rule of Rafael Trujillo in the Dominican Republic. All 4 sisters have varying values and identities that dictate the way they respond to adversity and develop throughout the novel. Patria, the eldest and most religious sister, has a strong connection to her faith, while simultaneously trying to figure out its connection with her internal and external struggles. Throughout the novel, Alvarez shows how Patria's identity, namely her commitment to religion and driven, family oriented nature become a source of stability during adversity, showcasing the connection between faith …show more content…

Thus she begins to feel compassion towards her community, who had also experienced loss, but as a result of Trujillo’s regime. In this way, her miscarriage challenged Patria’s previous teachings of faith, forcing her to think more deeply about the extent to which she related to it. This quote can be seen as a turning point in Patria’s relationship with her religion and willingness to join the revolution, and demonstrates how one’s values can change as they navigate internal and external conflicts. Similarly, Alvarez shows how Patria utilizes her faith as a form of empowerment throughout the novel to find comfort during uncertain moments. During the last day of a visit to a religious retreat, Patria witnesses an innocent boy being killed by Trujillo’s guards. This sight is extremely devastating for Patria as a mother, and she voices her discontent with the event, saying, “I am not going to sit back and watch my babies die, Lord, even if that’s what you in your great wisdom decide,” (Alvarez 162). This death resurfaces Patria’s old memories of her miscarriage, and furthers her doubts about religion and Trujillo’s unjust ways of enforcing …show more content…

I beg you for the love of God,” (Alvarez 195). Patria’s use of the phrases “please” and “I beg you” reflect her desperation and sense of powerlessness under the control of the regime, sacrificing herself to spare her sister. This desperation shows the emotional toll her efforts have taken on her and just how severe her circumstances are. Also, her plea “for the love of God” brings a religious aspect to the quote, highlighting the desperation of the moment. She includes God in her pleas for mercy or possibly for God to intervene, showing that she considers her beliefs even during adversities. All in all, Patria displays her evolving journey with her faith throughout the book, challenged by both internal and external conflicts. Throughout Julia Alvarez’s novel In the Time of the Butterflies, Alvarez showcases Patria’s connection to religion and how her committed, family-oriented nature serves as a source of resilience during adversity, showcasing the connection between faith and personal values. Ultimately, Patria’s character invites readers to reflect on the power of empathy and growth during challenges, and encourages deeper thinking regarding previous values and

Show More
Related
994 Words | 4 Pages

Part II of the historical fiction novel In the Time of the Butterflies, by Julia Alvarez focuses on the Mirabal sisters as they grow up. Dedé brings us back to a volleyball game with Lio and Jaimito. One day, when Dedé is reading her mother the newspaper, she accidentally reads too much and her mother learns Lio is a communist and he is no longer allowed in their house. Because of this, when Jaimito and Dedé go on dates, they pick up Lio on their way. One night, Jaimito proposes to Dedé in her father's car and are surprised to find Lio hiding in the back seat.

Read More
286 Words | 2 Pages

In 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.

Read More
647 Words | 3 Pages

Promise Mavhunga Mr. Eliot English 2 Honors April 1, 2024 Change In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez is an inspiring novel set in the mid 1900s. At the time, the country was led by dictator Rafael Trujillo, whose corrupt rule ruined the lives of many in the nation. The Mirabal sisters were four sisters, Minerva, Maria Theresa, Patria, Dede, who spearheaded the rebellion against Rafael Trujillo’s tyrannical regime. While Dede was the only one who lived to see their dream come to fruition, their efforts continued the resistance even after their death.

Read More
146 Words | 1 Pages

Minerva is making a sacrifice by giving up her son to her sister; Patria isn 't ready to do so, but expresses her support for her sister 's movement. Her ominous words are foreshadowing. It lets the reader know that things are intense and that they are only going to require even more sacrifice from the characters. She is going to be traveling a lot on the road, and coming back weekly for her revolutionary activities. Patria, ever the mother, at first doesn 't understand how anyone could give up their child, because the time and sacrifice it takes to raise and take care of one is already enough.

Read More
973 Words | 4 Pages

In the Time of the Butterflies, a novel by Julia Alvarez, tells the story of four sisters living in the Dominican Republic during Trujillo’s reign in the nation. The novel details the sisters’ fight for freedom against the dictatorship, as well as giving readers a personal glimpse of these women’s lives. It shares all four sisters’ fictionalized perspectives and shows their opposition to the regime from beginning to end. When people think of heroes, they think of individuals that show courage, that stay strong in the face of danger and what they stand for, whether they be superheroes or people like firefighters. Most people remove themselves from the idea of accomplishing heroic feats because of the separation between the “ordinary” and the heroic.

Read More
1029 Words | 5 Pages

Julia 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.

Read More
803 Words | 4 Pages

After her miscarriage, Patria wonders if the outcome was due to her becoming less religious and if she is being punished by god as a result. Now, Patria

Read More
762 Words | 4 Pages

In the Times of the Butterflies is a historical novel written by Julia Alvarez in 1994. The writers of the historical novel usually put the situation and the setting of the story in a specific time period in the past. In most situations, the writers usually refer the history, and they use it as a model to craft their story. And the writers always use the accurate information of the historical events to develop their stories. But sometimes, writers like to change the time setting or the actions that happened in the historical events in order to keep the story going or add some depths to it, or add some traits to a character.

Read More
540 Words | 3 Pages

Focusing on Patria, after listening to advice about joining the revolution she has made her final conclusions about what she wanted to do about the situation. Julia Alvarez uses Patria's faith in God as an illustration of courage. Patria is a very religious person. She used her faith in God to help her get through difficult situations demonstrating moral, physical, and emotional courage in time of danger.

Read More
590 Words | 3 Pages

Minerva’s central role in the revolution separates her from her family, and she has to sacrifice so much to save her country from Trujillo, the corrupt president of the Dominican Republic. This leaves her missing her family and wanting nothing more but to be the loving mother to her kids. Although Minerva is tired of leading a double life, she forces herself to confront the inner conflicts that trouble her. Sometimes, she would “lie in bed, thinking, ‘You must gather up the broken threads and tie them together” (267).

Read More
466 Words | 2 Pages

“...here in that little room was the same Patria Mercedes, who wouldn’t have hurt a butterfly, shouting, “Amen to the

Read More
494 Words | 2 Pages

The sacrifice that is made by Patria also helps the reader better understand the meaning of the work. The novel written by Julia Alvarez has many different themes and the characters within have different attributes and values. This is so that it is easier for the reader to understand what is going on in the work. One of the values given to Patria is family values.

Read More
270 Words | 2 Pages

In In the time of the butterflies, Julia Alvarez uses emotional moments to demonstrate the change in personality of Maria Teresa. Change is the always happening to everyone and there is no way to avoid it. People always try to avoid change, but most change that is related to personal growth, is good, as long as someone learns to adapt to it. Maria Teresa embraces change and because of this, she is able to become a stronger person and learn how to not become put down by other people.

Read More
991 Words | 4 Pages

Patria: The oldest of the Mirabal sisters, she is very religious. While looking for her calling from God, she instead finds her husband, Pedrito, whom she marries at age 16. Her faith wavers intensely as a young woman. She takes the miscarriage of her third child as God 's punishment towards her, which drives her further into a religious depression.

Read More
777 Words | 4 Pages

On page 162, Patria resolves, “I’m not going to sit back and watch my babies die, Lord, even if that’s what You in Your

Read More

More about Summary Of In The Time Of The Butterflies By Julia Alvarez

Open Document