The four Mirabal sisters became legends, despite just being normal people. And they became martyrs for a cause they believed in. In the novel In the Time of the Butterflies, Minerva and Mate are the most courageous sisters out of the Mirabals. Minerva dances with dictator El Jefe and slaps him in the face, she keeps up the face of the revolution even when she herself isn’t feeling brave, and Mate makes it through horrible torture and imprisonment for a cause she believes in. The scene at Trujillo’s ball is arguably one of the most exciting parts in this whole book. It is the triumph of a good person over a bad person, a classic theme that we can all identify with, and rejoice with. She danced with him, because the characters …show more content…
Some of Minerva’s most powerful moments aren’t on the outside, but rather the inside. Yes, she slaps dictators, stands up to prison guards, and is a symbol for everyone under Trujillo’s oppressive rule. But one of the most courageous things she does, is after prison, after she had been beaten down and diminished, she still manages to put the face on. Her old self face, as she calls it. Minerva has a hard job, she made a reputation for herself, because of the fiery, unfearing way she goes about her life and the rebellion. 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!’ she whispered with feeling. I gave her the bright brave smile she also required of me”’ (Alvarez 265). Minerva is the one most involved in the revolution, the face of the Mariposas, and it makes sense how she brings up the face a lot. The face of patriotism, courage, and unwielding drive to help out. The face that Minerva doesn’t wear too often anymore. Of course how she slapped Trujillo, and all the underground work she did, …show more content…
The character development of Maria Theresa arguably has the most growth of any of the other characters. She starts out, the youngest, the baby of the family, someone whose whole life is spent looking up on others that are older, bigger, wiser than she is. She really becomes her own when the revolution gets introduced. Minerva and Mate are the most rebellious. We get to see her point of view from different perspectives, she writes in the journal form. Because her story is told from just her point of view without outside perspectives involved, she seems to be more reserved because there aren’t that many examples of her speaking her thoughts. But writing down her thoughts is another way of owning them, making them belong to something bigger than herself. So, in a way, it makes her seem one of the smarter ones. Storytelling is done in 2 different ways, speaking it and writing it down. Mate knows that writing is important, to tell the stings of their torture and make sure people know. She references this feeling in one of her prison journal entries, “It feels good to write things down. Like there will be a record” (Alvarez 227). The security is up in the prison, and an action such as keeping a notebook could make the situation really bad for Mate, Minerva, and possibly the whole cell, but it isn’t out of selfish intentions, she has bigger plans beyond prison, such as making sure her story is told. As the reader, we get to watch her go from a 9 year old at Immaculate
Minerva was so passionate about being a revolutionary she was willing to leave her son with her sister to continue and pursue what it is that she wanted. The sisters being revolutionaries changed a lot for them, but they did whatever it took it was a passion for them. The girls constantly did what they needed to they were determined and
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
She was always looking for intellectual women to converse with. He also talks about how she was not a diary keeper, but rather a pen
It was useful for Alvarez to apply literary and rhetorical devices to enhance the appropriate understandings of her symbols, and foreshadowing in her novel. The four sisters were most known as “Las Mariposas”, which in the English language translates to Butterflies. “Even in the church during the privacy of the holy communion, Father Gabriel bent down and whispered “Viva la Mariposa”” (Alvarez 259). Butterflies are known for its beauty, freedom, and short term lives. Which all three known facts represents the Maribel sisters, they had the face of angels but strong and determined to fight against Trujillo and the regime.
She embodies the element of the new era this book tries to portray. She is forward thinking and she is most often seen with new things to that time like
All Sarah ’s life she was taught that slaves are not equal to whites, but she still fought for them. She stood up to anyone that was against her even her family. Sarah went out way of her and sacrificed things to save others. Throughout the novel courage helps the characters get through difficult situations.
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.
Firstly ,Elena Vilkas. A selfless, hardworking, fearless mother who installed strength and determination to those around her who may not have survived without. Also known for her unselfishness which she exhibited in many situations of the novel. For example,when Elena gave up her bread ration to a starving boy who was already dead but had his hand outstretched as if he was asking for food. The incredible thing about it was that she herself was also very sick and that bit of food could’ve ended up being very critical between life or death.
Trujillo's dictatorship, resulting in the revolution, influenced Patria's physical courage to truly show. By joining the revolution Patria's moral courage counteracted her fears and encouraged her to take a step towards making a change . Finally after getting her son taken, sacrificing herself showed what she would do for someone revealing her emotional courage. This novel puts a whole new perspective on courage by demonstrating different types of courage . Many different behaviors and beliefs can link to courage; bravery, fear, and even religious faith.
Virgilio Morales, known as Lio, was a young revolutionary who fought against Trujillo. He influenced Minerva to demand change for Republic Dominica. Lio Inspired Minerva to fight against Trujillo’s dictatorial government. He encourages her to involved in the revolution, which changed Minerva’s lifestyle: “When I met Lio, it was as if I woke up. The givens, all I’d been so many covers when you sit up in the bed” (86).
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
Another very admirable quality of Antonia is her independence and strength even in the midst of trials. For instances Willa makes many references to Antonia being strong and independent like
Mayella was was just a poor girl who had never been to school a day in her life and suffered so much abuse from her father, she didn’t give herself the opportunity to be powerful. In a time of oppression and depression Mayella standing up would have been a monumental change but she never seized it and took advantage, she let everyone else take advantage of
Writing helped the narrator to be happy and be productive. Without writing the narrator would be bored, and wouldn't be able to keep her mind off her troubles. Therefore, the narrator had to secretly write. Also, there were expectations from John, her husband, and society. The narrator feels as if working and being productive will help her health, “personally, I disagree with their ideas.
By making it more personal it allows the reader to connect to the author because she seem like a normal person you might run into on the street rather than an isolated scholar. She also mentions that she is a writer and an english major which gives her credibility by implying that she has