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The Theme Of Courage In In The Time Of The Butterflies By Judy Alvarez

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Courage what does it look like? For instance, In the time of the butterflies, written by Judy Alvarez Minerva gives one of the most sadly beautiful examples through themes of loss, torture, and depravity of her dreams. One of the first and best examples of Minerva's courage is at the Discovery Day Dance. Minerva is invited to one of Trujillo's banquets and is asked to dance with him. He tries to make moves on her touching her inappropriately and pulling her closer to him. She reacts mindlessly and swiftly slapping him in the face and pushing him away describing what she could feel at the moment. Her “hand in an endless slow motion rise- a mind all its own- and come down on the astonished, made-up face” (Alvarez 100). She defended herself and her dignity against a …show more content…

When Minerva was arrested and put in jail even with the presence of abuse of power and the jail's disregard for her life, she was able to reconcile with herself and organize a movement. She had her sister Patria send her crucifix necklaces, and with the necklaces, she and the inmates wore them and sang hymns in an act of solidarity until Trujillo decide the church was conspiring against him. The guards were ordered to seize anyone in possession of a crucifix and confiscate them “but when they grabbed Minerva, she started kicking and swinging her arms. Santiclo’s cap flew across the room and Tiny was smacked in the face.” (238). Because of this Minerva ended up with 3 weeks of solitary, yet she didn't care. Minerva knew the consequences but she also knew how important the movement was to her and how important it was to dethrone Trujillo. So nonetheless she swallowed any fear and any hesitation to fight for what she believed in with comradery and audacity. Minerva's audacity never fails or falters “The butterflies were not about to give up! We had suffered a setback But we had not been beaten” (Alverez

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In Minerva's quote she explains if she were to also take the pardon her brave voice would become a loud silence and freedom would also cost her silence as well so if she was to take the pardons she would feel not only she would be silenced but she feels as if she's betraying herself and the

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The book states “But when they grabbed Minerva, she started kicking and swinging her arms. Santiclo’s cap flew across the room and tiny was smacked in the face. Bloody Juan got a bloody nose when he tried to intervene. Where does that sister of mine get her crazy courage” (Alverez 237-238). The quote shows when they got Minerva she was not going to give up, she fought till they let her go.

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In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez portrays the Dominican Republics in a time where Rafael Leonidas Trujillo is the ruthless dictator. Throughout the novel, Trujillo accentuates the idea of manipulation by controlling all aspects of Dominican life and manipulates Dominicans from an early age by alluding himself to be the ideal leader. In the beginning of the novel there is a passage from a textbook that is meant for young Dominican children: “All through nature there is a feeling of ecstasy. A strange otherworldly light suffuses the house smelling of the labor and sanctity.

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1394 Words | 6 Pages

In the book In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez, Minerva is shown to be motivated to fight for the revolution and for the people. This revolutionary mindset has led her to fight against Trujillo, led her into prison, and eventually led to her death. Her attempts weren’t for nothing though as Trujillo would fall shortly after and Minerva and her sisters would be remembered as leaders of the revolution. Throughout her life Minerva’s relationships and health has been greatly impacted by her revolutionary ideologies because of how devoted she is to her goals, her relationships with her sisters, and her mental health struggles after being released from prison. Minerva’s driving motivation throughout a good part of her life had been

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159 Words | 1 Pages

Also, Minerva, Patria, and Mate knew the consequences of joining the revolution. So that was their first sign of bravery. Minerva may be considered more outwardly brave because of how she started to rebel against Trujillo at a young age. She was opinionated and knew what she wanted. When she found out about her dad cheating even though it hurt her she never showed it.

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Even though Patria was not trying to attract attention to she and her daughter, the dictator brought it on them, and they gained fame from the event. Similarly, celebrities in America can bring attention to common people solely by their endorsement or interactions with them. After Minerva was released from prison, her rebellious image gave her new experiences. She describes the experience of “…the sense of being adrift in a crowd of people pressing in on all sides wanting to touch me, greet me, wish me well” (259). Minerva’s political image of rebellion and bravery is admired, which is a main reason why she acquired so much fame from those around her who also desire a

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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.

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Liliana Villa In this section of In the Time of the Butterflies, Julia Alvarez uses various literary elements specifically interior monologue, and figurative language to show how Mate discovers she is willing to sacrifice herself for the movement. Mate was taken by officers in hopes she could be used as persuasion towards Leonardo through torture. When Leonardo tells the officers to leave her out of it, the officers in turn beat Leonardo. Mate, being in shock, began screaming for them to stop, she claims “It felt like my very own stomach was being punched”, which shows at first Mate was only thinking about what was happening to her own life.

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773 Words | 4 Pages

The USA has a lengthy history of foreign intervention, staged when it is convenient for them rather than for the benefit of the country being converged upon. Regimes and dictatorships breed with practiced ease in developing—or even recovering—countries, directly under the nose of the world’s most powerful nations. Specifically in the US, foreign intervention should not be implemented for they have proven their incapability to assist nation without taking advantageous liberties. Frequently armed with selfish notions, America intervenes in foreign affairs—to garner some sort of profit—before withdrawing from the unfinished conflict entirely. By reading political declarations and historical recounts of these dictatorships it can be confidently

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Bravery is the act of showing courage in the face of adversity and difficulty. Minerva is genuinely the bravest character in The Marrow Thieves. Occasionally, bravery involves extraordinary inexplicable courage by the youngest and oldest humans who run ahead to aid everyone and risk their own lives to save others. Additionally, the boldest among humanity are typically the ones who take on such difficulties and risks. They are prepared to take action and complete what has to be done without necessarily pausing to consider the advantages and disadvantages before jumping into action.

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Minerva was always there for support, she helped them through life it is important to not leave her since no one should leave family ever. Leaving Minerva behind shows that they don’t care for Minerva, and that she does not matter to them to the point that they would do anything for her. Instead it shows how they care for Minerva to the point that they will go to any length to ensure that Minerva is going to be safe and be with her family, the chosen family. Family should always be there to help,

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540 Words | 3 Pages

Courage 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.

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636 Words | 3 Pages

Since she was very religious she didn’t join the movement but she let them have the movement at her house and she was supposed to go to jail too but she didn’t because the SIM didn’t see her. When Minerva and Maria were in jail they had to separate because Minerva was being her old self and was still going against Trujillo’s word, and they stayed in there for 7 months, they were not eating like they used to they were just treating the women

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She or he is the one ego that restores to healthy, normal functioning” (Evelyn). Minerva shows an immense amount of courage and noble qualities which ultimately makes her a hero. Minerva states, “I saved the day, according to what Sinita said later” (Alvarez 28). Minerva was presented as being a hero when she saved Sinita from Trujillo when Sinita tried to kill him during their play at the capitol. Minerva made up an excuse and said that what Sinitia was doing was just

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777 Words | 4 Pages

Once she decides to join the revolution, she is fearless in her efforts to end Trujillo’s regime, regardless of her personal outcome. Minerva fought until the day she died, and with her death, a better future for her country was

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