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In The Time Of The Butterflies Courage Essay

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Julia Alvarez’s In the Time of the Butterflies is a work of historical fiction which is about four sisters who fight the oppressive leader, Rafael Trujillo, in the Dominican Republic. Dede, Minerva, Maria Teresa, and Patria Mirabal are the four sisters who go against Trujillo, that are the epitome of a person’s courage, faith, compassion, and growth. These sisters come together and use these exemplary characteristics to fight an oppressive regime. The theme of the courage and strength to stand up to tyranny in In the Time of the Butterflies is best exemplified through the character of Minerva Mirabel, through her courage to stand up to Rafael Trujillo. Minerva is one of the oldest sisters, which one could tell by her maturity and strength that is shown throughout the book.

The theme of courage and strength is first shown in Minerva, while while with her family and directly to Trujillo himself. …show more content…

Dede once said, “Because Lío presented a very real opportunity to fight against the regime. I think that, after him, Minerva was never the same” (164). The first great influence on Minerva, is Lío. He showed Minerva that there is a real chance to fight against Trujillo. He helped her realize that it is possible to stand up for what you believe in and not let anyone control you. Although Lío has gone, he is always in Minerva’s thoughts and actions. A couple years later Minerva meets Manolo and marries him. They do not have a perfect relationship between Manolo’s cheating and money problems, they do come together for a common purpose, fighting against Trujillo. In Maria Teresa’s chapter she said, “Manolo and Minerva have explained everything. A national underground is forming”(466). This quote shows just how important Manolo is to Minerva. Although Minerva could act on her wish to go against Trujillo, Manolo helps her through it

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