In the Time of the Butterflies Patria
Her Everlasting Faith
Death is a word associated with loss, grief and sadness, but in the novel In the Time of the Butterflies we see death in a whole new perspective; martyrdom. Strong, independent, caring, honest, and having firm beliefs are all characteristics we see in a martyr especially in Patria. In the novel we explore the wonders of Julia Alvarez’s writing and get to witness Patria as a martyr and an individual who fought for the right of women against a dictator: Trujillo.
As an individual, Patria’s personality can be best characterized as someone who firmly sticks to their beliefs and has faith in everything and everyone. Patria’s drive to become someone notable after dealing with misfortune after misfortune makes Patria the strongest sister to die in In the Time of the Butterflies. Patria’s personality can be better explained through this quote; “From the [beginning] I felt it snug in my heart, the pearl of great price. No one had to tell me to believe in god or to love everything that lives I did automatically like a shoot inching its way towards the light” (Alvarez 44). Patria’s faith and belief in everything that [lives] makes her come off as being naïve and blinded by her faith; because she believes god can do no wrong in the world along with Trujillo. Patria’s caring nature for the people surrounding her shows a great deal of strength and confidence within herself, but even when she was born Patria “lowered her arms the way you fold in a captive birds wings so it doesn’t hurt itself trying to fly” (Alvarez 44). This particular quote shows that [anyone] can have all the confidence in the world, but it’s what you do with that confidence that makes a difference. In this case when Patria lowers her arms back down (Alvarez 44) she is showing wavers in her strength; in spite of this protective move, Patria is still a strong person; Patria wouldn’t be the person she is without the strength she had to keep building up following devastating
Death is a word associated with loss, grief and sadness, but in the novel In the Time of the Butterflies we see death in a whole new perspective; martyrdom. Strong, independent, caring, honest, and having firm beliefs are all characteristics we see in a martyr especially in Patria. In the novel we explore the wonders of Julia Alvarez’s writing and get to witness Patria as a martyr and an individual who fought for the right of women against a dictator: Trujillo.
As an individual, Patria’s personality can be best characterized as someone who firmly sticks to their beliefs and has faith in everything and everyone. Patria’s drive to become someone notable after dealing with misfortune after misfortune makes Patria the strongest sister to die in In the Time of the Butterflies. Patria’s personality can be better explained through this quote; “From the [beginning] I felt it snug in my heart, the pearl of great price. No one had to tell me to believe in god or to love everything that lives I did automatically like a shoot inching its way towards the light” (Alvarez 44). Patria’s faith and belief in everything that [lives] makes her come off as being naïve and blinded by her faith; because she believes god can do no wrong in the world along with Trujillo. Patria’s caring nature for the people surrounding her shows a great deal of strength and confidence within herself, but even when she was born Patria “lowered her arms the way you fold in a captive birds wings so it doesn’t hurt itself trying to fly” (Alvarez 44). This particular quote shows that [anyone] can have all the confidence in the world, but it’s what you do with that confidence that makes a difference. In this case when Patria lowers her arms back down (Alvarez 44) she is showing wavers in her strength; in spite of this protective move, Patria is still a strong person; Patria wouldn’t be the person she is without the strength she had to keep building up following devastating