Before We Were Free, By Julia Alvarez
Allan Tao English 7-5 May 2024 Title here.
Before We Were Free is a historical fiction book written by Julia Alvarez which tells the story of a young girl, Anita, and her struggles and emotions as she navigates a world full of dangerous government agents, possible spies, secretive adults, and many boys fighting for a place in her heart. This book at surface level seems to be a simple romantic/action novel, but inside this book, there are many lessons to be learned. Two of these lessons are: you should never be too trusting of who you think to be your closest friends, and that you should never underestimate the power of the kindness of strangers. and that if you truly believe in something with all of your heart and are willing to die for it, …show more content…
One lesson I have learned from this book is, never be too trusting of those who appear to be your closest friends, but never underestimate the power of strangers. “You see, in their last moments, people show you who they really are.” -The Joker. This quote almost perfectly summarizes the characters in this book. There are many examples in the book of times when people are betrayed by their closest friends, and also examples of times when people are helped by strangers. One example of this first part is what happens right after the revolutionaries assassinate Trujillo, and the entire plan depends on one person, Pupo. “ ‘Who’s Pupo, Mami?’ I ask. The way the men were talking, our lives are not in God’s hands, but in Pupo’s. The ‘Pupo is the head of the army. He was supposed to announce the liberation. It looks like he failed us.’ But won't lots of other people help? I want to ask. ‘Without the army, we’re lost.’ Mami begins sobbing. ‘And to think we were almost free.’ I reached out and stroked her back, just like she just -stroked mine. The organ music plays on, like a funeral that will not quit” (.102) This section of text, is referring to Pupo, the head of the army, who was originally regarded as an ally among the
Before We Were Free is a historical fiction book written by Julia Alvarez which tells the story of a young girl, Anita, and her struggles and emotions as she navigates a world full of dangerous government agents, possible spies, secretive adults, and many boys fighting for a place in her heart. This book at surface level seems to be a simple romantic/action novel, but inside this book, there are many lessons to be learned. Two of these lessons are: you should never be too trusting of who you think to be your closest friends, and that you should never underestimate the power of the kindness of strangers. and that if you truly believe in something with all of your heart and are willing to die for it, …show more content…
One lesson I have learned from this book is, never be too trusting of those who appear to be your closest friends, but never underestimate the power of strangers. “You see, in their last moments, people show you who they really are.” -The Joker. This quote almost perfectly summarizes the characters in this book. There are many examples in the book of times when people are betrayed by their closest friends, and also examples of times when people are helped by strangers. One example of this first part is what happens right after the revolutionaries assassinate Trujillo, and the entire plan depends on one person, Pupo. “ ‘Who’s Pupo, Mami?’ I ask. The way the men were talking, our lives are not in God’s hands, but in Pupo’s. The ‘Pupo is the head of the army. He was supposed to announce the liberation. It looks like he failed us.’ But won't lots of other people help? I want to ask. ‘Without the army, we’re lost.’ Mami begins sobbing. ‘And to think we were almost free.’ I reached out and stroked her back, just like she just -stroked mine. The organ music plays on, like a funeral that will not quit” (.102) This section of text, is referring to Pupo, the head of the army, who was originally regarded as an ally among the