In The Time Of The Butterflies Archetypal Criticism

An American poet once stated, “Great literature is simply language charged with meaning to the utmost possible degree” (Pound). Every piece of literature has an impactful underlying meaning and can be interpreted into universal symbols, motifs, and patterns. Archetypal Criticism is a theory based off common myths, images, and symbols in literature. The definition of an archetypal can be defined as a very typical example of a certain person or thing (Davidson). With that being said, readers can apply Archetypal Criticism to In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez. Alvarez uses common character types, like the hero and the villain, and also uses the symbol of butterflies in her novel.
One way Archetypal Criticism is reflected in the novel In the Time of the Butterflies is when Julia Alvarez relates her characters to typical character types. An example of this is when when Alvarez conveys Minerva as a hero. According to Johanna Evelyn, “[...] the hero is the restorer of the healthy, conscious situation. 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