Summary Of Julia Alvarez's In The Time Of The Butterflies

Julia Alvarez’s In the Time of the Butterflies is a work of historical fiction set in the Dominican Republic during the oppressive regime of Rafael Trujillo. The four Mirabal sisters, Patria, Dede, Minerva and Maria Teresa pass through different versions of themselves to stop the reign of this tyrannical dictator. The theme of the courage to stand up to tyranny is most exemplified through Minerva because she discovers herself and becomes consistent with her beliefs throughout the resistence of the regime. Although Minerva is still afraid of Trujillo, she puts it all behind her to learn about his intentions and after she does, she has no hesitation to act against him. While at Immaculate Conception, Minerva learns the true ambition of Trujillo and his government from Sinita, whose family has been personally hurt by him. After learning of this, Minerva sets out to rebel against
Trujillo and engages in Sinita’s plans.
Minerva says to her mother, “I’d just left a small cage to go into a bigger one, the size of our whole country” (Alvarez 19). The small cage Minerva talks about is being trapped in the Mirabal household, thinking Trujillo is a God. After she learns about the rebellion, her views of her dictator are ruined. Her whole life she has not thought anything of women not having a voice in the government, but Minerva turns herself around and discovers her strength to change that. Although Minerva fears Trujillo, she does not show it towards him. When the Mirabal family receives an invitation to Trujillo’s party, they are shocked to see that he would especially like to see Minerva present. While Trujillo is dancing with Minerva, he becomes forceful with her and begins to throw himself onto her. Minerva knows not to give into what he
wants, and her first instinct is to slap him. She says, “He yanks me by the wrist, thrusting his pelvis at me in a vulgar way, and I can see my hand in an endless slow motion rise-a mind all its own-and come down on the astonished, made-up face”(115). Minerva has evolved greatly into the mindset that she does not have to think about maneuvering around Trujillo. Minerva has had the thought of putting Trujillo in his place for long enough that she does not have to think about being punished before she strikes. Minerva stands out as the first in her family to gain the courage to openly resist Trujillo. Minerva tells her family she would like to be a lawyer when she grows up. While talking to her family, Minerva says something that everyone has been thinking, but no one has been saying. Her family laughs at her dreams, because they think Minerva will never have a chance of pursuing her career. She says, “It’s about time we women had a voice in running our country.” (16) Minerva is the only one who states openly that women should be involved in the government, and desires for them to be able to go to law school with men and make an impact on the country’s decisions. Despite her family's thoughts about Trujillo, Minerva decides to join Sinita in her hatred. She travels to Sinita’s grandfather's home, who refuses to put a picture of Trujillo on his wall. The Mirabal family thinks that anyone who puts any sort of disrespect towards Trujillo is out of their mind. María Teresa says in her little book, “I asked Minerva why she was doing such a dangerous thing. And then, she said the strangest thing. She wanted me to grow up in a free country.” (48) Minerva’s courage is shown through her actions because she is volunteering to learn more insight on the real Trujillo, and information that can destroy either the government or her life. Minerva most exemplifies the courage to stand up to tyranny through discovering her own strength as she joins in the rebellion and putting her pride behind her when she learns about Trujillo from other perspectives and considers their motives. Minerva tests herself when she openly resists against the regime and does not get approval of her family before she begins to interact with people who have been personally targeted by the dictator. Minerva strongly believes that women should have a voice in making decisions that impact her life, much like the world today.