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Time Of The Butterflies By Julia Alvarez Character Analysis

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Reading through the intrepid journeys of this novel, we come to learn about each of the four Mirabal sisters, along with her attitude and actions towards her merciless leader. In Julia Alvarez’s In The Time of the Butterflies, readers are introduced to four sisters living under the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo, the head of the Dominican Republic. All sisters harbor an intense hatred for the state, but among them, two sisters in particular bear stronger differences than the others—Minerva and Dedé. Minerva is an adamant character who delves deeper into the secrets of Trujillo and the coming revolution, whereas Dedé’s character shies away and lingers in the back. While Minerva and Dedé both long to see the corrupt regime overthrown, only …show more content…

For one, Minerva Mirabal is the one who initiated it all; she first learned of the “secrets of Trujillo” and immediately sprung into action to help her people, acting on her love and desire for her people’s freedom. After Minerva had been involved for a while, she came to Patria “with her six-month-old Manolito and asked [her] to keep him… it did hurt her to make this sacrifice she was convinced she needed to make” (Alvarez 155). The readers are shown that despite how distressed Minerva is, she still drives through. Her sacrifices are painful to make, but because it is for her nation, she throws her tears aside. Minerva is incredibly devoted to the revolution and the liberation of her country, and is willing to do whatever she needs for her people, even forsaking her family. On the other hand, Dedé’s actions are not nearly as commendable as Minerva’s. Dedé is doubtful, unable to bring herself to make big sacrifices, and relents under the force of her husband. She admits that she did not partake in the revolution because “she couldn’t put [her marriage] on the line… [and] shrank from the challenge her sisters were giving her” (Alvarez 177). Through these lines, we understand that Dedé is reluctant to take action and, added with the resistance from Jaimito, does not contribute to the cause. In this way, Dedé’s actions are not as noble as Minerva’s, for her actions are done based on personal relationships, and when presented with a daring task, she pulls away. While she does provide her assistance here and there, she does it for the safety of her family and herself, not for her people. Minerva’s actions are admirably selfless and dedicated to the oppressed people; she wants to help not just herself, but her country. Dedé’s actions are more centered around her safety, and her contributions lack the ambition Minerva’s

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The Mirabal sisters, also known as La Mariposas, have been known throughout the Dominican Republic for participating in a major revolution against their unjust ruler, Rafael Trujillo. After years of the sisters’ hard-work, along with the others who were involved in the revolution, their work paid off when Trujillo's regime ended with his assassination. However, in order for them to have taken part in this act against Trujillo, the Mirabal sisters had to sacrifice several things from their lives, most importantly, their freedom and their relationship with their family. Many people believe that these sacrifices were not necessary because the sisters didn’t need to go to the extent where the end result would be them orphaning their children. Nonetheless,

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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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It 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

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Marxist Criticism focuses on class struggle and power structure in a literary piece (Davidson). In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez can be analyzed using Marxist Criticism to show how power is maintained in the novel. Trujillo maintains his power by convincing girls to live in his homes, jailing citizens who try to overthrow him, and killing citizens that he has large problems with. Trujillo uses his authority to make all of his citizens obey him so that he can keep his power, or else they must deal with severe consequences. Trujillo acts this way to prove that he is the man in charge and ultimately prove that he is unbeatable.

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Once you make a reputation such as that, it is hard to reverse it. And even after her hopes have been dashed, she still wants to help out. Her husband is still in prison, and her and her sisters are basically only alive because the government didn’t decide to kill them. She was no longer Minerva, high spirited girl with big dreams of being a lawyer, she was now one of three Mariposas, praised and somehow reduced to just a word, Butterfly. During one of their meetings, her friend Elsa gushes over her, ‘“Viva la Mariposa!’

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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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Another way that Alvarez's personal experiences are reflected in the novel is through her portrayal of the violence and brutality of Trujillo's regime. Alvarez's family was directly Last Name 2 impacted by Trujillo's dictatorship, and she has written extensively about the trauma and violence that she and other Dominicans experienced during this time. In the novel, Alvarez vividly portrays the violence and brutality of Trujillo's regime, including the torture and murder of political dissidents. This reflects her own experiences and knowledge of the regime, and her belief in the importance of speaking out against oppression and injustice. For example, in chapter 6, Minerva Mirabal says, "We can't just let them get away with this.

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From 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.

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Minerva Mirabal sees that she is invited to dictator Trujillo’s party to a reserved table. Originally from what Minerva has said the invitation was found in her father's coat pocket inviting him and herself. When she arrived to the party,at first Manual De Moya, Trujillo’s secretary of state, asked Minerva to dance with her which she refused at first but eventually agreed. Eventually Trujillo arrives to the party and begins dancing with Minerva. Trujillo finds her interesting and stating he would like to “conquer her.”

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993 Words | 4 Pages

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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552 Words | 3 Pages

Four beautiful Dominican heroines known as the Butterflies make a big change on the world for women. “Each represent courage, love, and sacrifice”. The Butterflies bravely went against their ruler Trujillo and went through a lot of troubles. One of the four Butterflies whom were the bravest is Minerva. Minerva was the oldest, and wanted to go to law school.

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Exploring part one of the novel In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez, reflects and reveals Minerva’s dynamic perception of the ongoings taking place in her country. Her view starts off a bit brainwashed and conditioned by society, but as the story progresses, she gains a realization of her sense of self. Meeting Minerva for the first time, she introduces a rabbit locked in a cage. Minerva opens the cage and tries to free her, but the rabbit does not wish to leave (Alvarez 11).

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964 Words | 4 Pages

You win, you get your wish. I win, I get mine” (115). This shows that Minerva makes a deal with Trujillo that if she wins the dice game then she gets to go to law school and if she loses then Trujillo gets to sleep with Minerva, Trujillo loses. Minerva gets to attend law school as the only female in the education system and Minerva believes that she has truly made a change, but as four years of schooling pass, graduation approaches. Since it’s already known that the government is corrupt and the education system is voided towards men, when Minerva walks the stage at graduation she isn’t given the degree to practice law saying, “What a shock,

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458 Words | 2 Pages

Butterflies Reflection In The Time of the Butterflies I am exposed to many different viewpoints. An important one being Minerva Mirabal. This novel takes me through the crazy lives of the Mirabal’s. This family is in a personal war against El Jefe Trujillo.

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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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