In The Time Of The Butterflies Book Report

The theme of religion is found throughout the book In the Time of the Butterflies. Julia Alvarez uses the theme to give life and development to the characters as well as advance the story. It provides a brighter more pure side to contrast the events of the Rebellion and Trujillo’s actions. Religion also keeps the people of the Dominican Republic together providing guidance for them. Religion deepens the reader's understanding of what the characters in the book are going through as well as the situation in the Dominican Republic under Trujillo’s 31 year regime.

In the Time of the Butterflies is a book about 4 sisters, Patria, Dedé, Minerva, and María Teresa. The book is about the three girls growing up and their experiences during the time of the underground movement to overthrow Trujillo. The book was written in memory of Dedé’s 3 sisters who had been ambushed and murdered, which we are aware of since the beginning of the novel. The beginning chapter of the book is describing Dedé as she waits for a woman who is going to interview her about her three sisters, she then goes into a flashback she has of her family talking at the dinner table and her father mentions someone named Trujillo, which then gives a hint at who this book might be formed around.

At a very young age, Patria, is brainwashed by nuns and the religious commitments of being a Roman Catholic. After this exposure, Patria longs to be like the nuns. For the majority of her life, she aspires to follow god in hopes god will take care of her throughout her entire life. At the Church she is washing feet as part of a ritual during Holy Week in the Roman Catholic culture. Up next in line, Pedrito steps up to get his feet washed. They talk and quickly fall in love with each other. Even faster after, they get married all while Patria is just 16 years old. The married couple has their two first children together and they are happily living. This reigns true until their third child. While the couple try to have a third baby Patria doesn 't feel so good. The baby ends up being a miscarriage thus creating the turning point to Patrias life. She is devastated. During the time of her pregnancy, Patria was drifting away from her plans on being a nun and she became less religious while with Pedrito and focusing on being a mother. 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

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.

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.

Maybe she’s born with it, maybe it’s Maybelline. Or maybe it’s courage! Many people can be born with a perfectly clear face, or the oh so perfect rosy cheeks. Then there is some that have to work a little bit harder than others. Courage is the same way. Some people are born with it, and others might have to work for. Julia Alvarez’s historical fiction novel, ‘In the Time Of The Butterflies’, tells the story of four sisters gaining courage throughout their lives from events they have experienced. Like in every family of sisters, even siblings, each one has their own personality, and this is true with the Mirabal sisters, but they all share the same trait- courage. Courage runs in each sister’s

A strong, independant woman named Minerva Mirabel from the Dominican Republic was born on March 12, 1926 in ‘El Ojo de Agua’. Minerva was a mother, a lawyer, and an activist. During her time it was very rare for a woman to be a lawyer in the Dominican republic. Many believed that if women were lawyer they were against the dictator's rule. Many were afraid of her since it meant trouble for them and their families. That being said if people were caught talking to her the public would consider them an activist even if they weren’t.

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.

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.

In “The Time Of The Butterflies” is a book written by Julia Alvarez in which a family during the time of Trujillo 's dictatorship in the Dominican Republic. In the one of the themes which was “power” took place was with Trujillo’s bown. The main characters were Minerva, Trujillo, Maria Teresa, Dede, Fela, and Patria. Each sister has different stories going through their lives in the theme of power. For example When Trujillo was sitting down with his son at the girl’s skit they had made it was all going as planned until Sinita got up and walked towards Trujillo and pointed the bow at him. After Ramfis goes up to her quickly and tries to stop her and gets the bow and breaks it and makes her go up to Minerva and untie her with her teeth. This shows a great theme for power because if Sinita would of shot Trujillo it would of been all bad because it would of caused a big rebellion.

To live life as if you will die tomorrow is the key to a happy and inspired life. The Time of the Butterflies written by Julia Alvarez is a book about the Mirabal family and their fight for freedom. While all of the sister are off fighting a revolution against the tyrant Trujillo, one sister, Dedé is stuck at home. In the end of the book freedom is reached, but not before three of the sisters, Maria Teresa, Patria, & Minerva also known as The Butterflies are murdered in a “car accident”. Dedé must listen to all the stories of their last day, and then tell many stories of the sister to more people. Their sister Dedé is the only survivor of the sisters, burying them all. In The Time of the Butterflies, Alvarez uses characterization of Dedé to

To most people, family values mean everything. Taking care of one another, loving one another, protecting one another; all things a family would do for one another. But there may come a time in everyone’s life where they would have to make a sacrifice or even sacrifice themselves for the ones they love. In the book In The Time of The Butterflies, the oldest sister in the Mirabal family, Patria, offers to sacrifice herself for her entire family. Patria’s sacrifice for her family proves that she is loyal and loving towards them, which shows her family values.

The short story “A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell is about a murder investigation that has taken place in a lonesome-looking farm house of the Wrights. This story describes many challenges women faced during this time living in rural America. The story is given by two families, who help illustrate the murder suspect Minnie Wright. Insight on how Minnie’s life was used to help describe her and to help build the motive for the murder, and with that they were left to decide if she was guilty of the crime that was committed. Glaspell uses the plot, irony, and symbolism to develop the theme of sisterhood in this story.

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd takes place in the summer in Sylvan, South Carolina. The story of Lily Owens begins in 1964, after the signing of the Civil Rights Act which terminated segregation and banned discrimination when it comes to employment based on a person’s race, religion, color, or sex. Lily Owens is a white, 14-year-old girl growing up in a home with an absent mother and a single father. Her mother died from an accidental death involving a gun shot when she was only 4-years-old which proved to be Lily’s fault.

Miranda is the only women on an island with a population of three people, her father, Prospero, and a beast, Caliban. Having had no female role model she has been raised and tutored by her father. Through this process, she is now a young woman, teenager really, who appears to be a dutiful, obedient and virtues daughter. She is the image of purity and innocence. (Vaughan 73) However, she has a strength as she challenges her father, the only authority she knows(Shmoop Editorial Team. "Miranda in The Tempest."). Shakespeare uses Miranda’s virtue and purity and strength in the face of authority to give her a type of moral authority and power.