In the Time of the Butterflies, written by Julia Alvarez, is the story of four sisters who take an emotional journey while becoming a symbol of hope in the corrupt Dominican Republic, as they seek to make a political revolution. Throughout the story, we dig deeper into each sister’s life and learn more about her individual traits. In the book, Alvarez makes the Mirabal sisters come alive throughout the book with her use of foreshadowing, detailed characterization, and selection of detail. The more the reader journeys farther into the book, the more the aforementioned devices become of importance…
The way in which the Garden of Adonis replenishes life on Earth also demonstrates The Faerie Queen’s prioritization of earthly virtue. Although the Garden is largely a haven for Venus and her lover Adonis, it nonetheless exists in tandem with Earth, as many of its functions restore and purify earthly life. When describing the Garden’s unique life cycle, the narrator claims that the Garden “is the first seminarie / Of all things, that are borne to live and die” (III.vi.30.4-5). Here, the narrator introduces the Garden’s strange life cycle, which conceives and creates all mortal creatures. That said, he soon clarifies that, although mortal creatures begin their lives in the Garden, they are nonetheless sent “forth to live in mortal…
In the Time of the Butterflies is a book about a family of sisters that fight to take back their right of freedom in the Dominican Republic. The Mirabal sisters grew up in a prosperous family and were well cultured and educated women at a time when most women did not obtain a good education. It is important to know what the Mirabal sisters did for their country and how their past actions still affect and impact the people today in the Dominican Republic. To win this freedom, the Mirabal sisters had to give up their well-being, give up their childhoods, and give up their lives. Julia Alvarez, the author of the book, takes the readers through these sisters’ journeys of fighting against their dictator Trujillo, and the many adversities while…
In Julia Alvarez’s “In The Time of the Butterflies”, the four Mirabal sisters, Minerva, Maria Teresa, Patria, and Dedé, struggle to accept the principles of courage, freedom, and fear during a time of political turmoil. As the sisters began to become symbols of hope amidst a revolution, each must discover how to define freedom and courage, as well as how to apply these concepts in their fight against an oppressive regime. Trujillo, dictator of the Dominican Republic, hoping to silence their rebellion, sends three of the Mirabal sisters to prison. During this time, Maria Teresa beings to develop a deeper awareness of her role alongside her sisters in the battle against Trujillo, as well as further understanding of concepts such as determination and bravery. In prison, Maria Teresa feels inspired as she begins to grasp the true feeling of courage while she comprehends the impact her sister, Minerva, has made on the fellow prisoners watching as they call out, “¡Viva la Mariposa!” (238) as the guards drag Minerva away after she protests their commands.…
When one is internally consumed by resentment, they become isolated and it takes an extreme event such as a great loss to regain inner peace. A young teen in the story “The Moths” is the outcast in her family. She isn’t girly or dainty like the rest of her sisters. The narrator almost always feels alone, even at church. The only person that can make her feel safe is her grandmother.…
Alvarez presents a series of ironic situations to make candid observations about how women are just as capable as men to do what society defines as “men’s” work. In The Time of the Butterflies is set in the era of Rafael Trujillo’s dictatorship in the Dominican Republic, where the Mirabal sisters assist in organizing a rebellion against the regime and are soon known as the “Butterflies.” Despite the bravery they demonstrated, the Mirabal sisters were ordinary wives and mothers who did not take the passive role of a woman but instead rose above their titles. When the Mirabal sisters try to convince sister Dedé to join them in the revolution, Dedé expects charismatic and passionate Minerva to speak up but instead hears littlest sister Mate do so, the little sister…
Women’s role and rights in the society- an issue which is being discussed since past few decades and has still not reached an absolute conclusion. In In the Time of the Butterflies, Julia Alvarez portrays the life of women in a male dominated social and political society. Through the novel, a question arises which is, “Who decides the expiry date for a woman’s dreams?” In the novel, Alvarez answers the question through the story of the Mirabal sisters, the women who broke their boundaries of what their gender can do and came out of the household to do something better. This shows that no one else can decide the expiry…
In this book the symbolism of the Bird serves as a reminder to Edna’s entrapment of her victorian women in general, like the birds the women's movements are limited by their society and are unable to choose their own rights and communicate with the world around them. The novel winged only describes the women so they can use their wings to protect themselves and shield so they can never fly. Another symbol for the book is the Sea. The sea symbolizes freedom and escape, the sea also serves as a reminder to Edna of the fact of awakening in a rebirth, and the strength, glory, and lonely horror of the women's…
For decades, the Dominican Republic was ruled under the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo. His harsh ways destroyed the chance for freedom, equality, education, and happiness for the citizens. In the novel, In the Time of the Butterflies, by Julia Alvarez, the Mirabal sisters, Patria, Minerva, Dede, and Maria Teresa, politically take a stand in hope to fight for their country. They were Las Mariposas, “the butterflies,” the strong sisters of the face of rebellion and leadership fighting against the moths, the political army of Trujillo. Butterflies and moths, creatures alike, yet different in significance, illuminate the different opposing sides that underline the struggle of the Dominican Republic.…
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.…
At the turn of the 20th century, women were considered inferior to men: they were only required to stay at home, take care of households and children. “The Chrysanthemums”, as told by John Steinbeck, is a story of a woman during that period who tries to change the course of her destiny. In this story, the two-fold issues of femininity and symbolism play a critical part in explaining this helplessness. Steinbeck uses the narrative to signify the hope for change of the woman as well as her character by illustrating different similarities between Elisa and her flowers. Readers are able to comprehend how a lady feels when she is caged within her life, and the struggles to disengage from such oppression. At the end of the story, the writer expresses a sense of hopelessness for Elisa because, although she might try as much as possible to free herself, reality will rise up and keep her entrenched in a subdued role.…
It seems however, that the “strength” that these women show might not be a statement on the internal powers of women, but rather that they have no choice than to adapt to a gruesome and misogynistic situation. The old woman, after telling her terrible life story, relates that she does not believe in self-pity—she was merely telling everyone to pass the time. Although there are many female victims in Candide, none of them seem at all aware of the travesties committed to them or their sex and moreover, they hold true to an abundance of stereotypes (gold-diggers, prostitutes, battered old women). In many respects, as far as feminism goes, this is a rather bleak novel especially because although it is heralded as a precursor to the revolutions, it lacks the true ideals of the Enlightenment’s assertions of equal rights for…
In the poem “The Lesson of the Moth” writer Don Marquis compares two different lifestyles through a free spirited moth and a logical thinking human. The moth states that it is better to be a part of beauty and excitement for one instant and then cease to exist forever and never be a part of beauty. I agree with the moth because I would much rather live a shorter life appreciating and experiencing a better connection to God’s creation and gaining a better understanding of the creator, then to have a long boring life of just sitting on the side. There are also several of examples throughout history of people dying young to the flame. For example, Mozart mastered music and toured Europe while composing several great works of music before dying at the young age of 35. Abraham Lincoln also accomplished many things before he died young. He said, “In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.” This means that it doesn’t matter how old you are, it’s how you actually lived your life throughout the years that counts in the end. In the Bible however, James 4:14 reminds us how precious of a gift life is “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” Just like the pastor from the Motorcycle accident this week, this bible verse reminds us all of how close we are to the…
The woman is wearing a white robe and is draped in a blue material. The color blue is also found in the sky and in the flowers that one of the children is extending to the woman. Pink is very prominent in the painting. A piece of the figure’s clothing is pink and the clouds are pink. The winged children have a pink hue as well. The color white is significant because the bird above the woman is white. The light in this painting appears to be radiating from the woman, further deeming her importance. The lighting and colors found in the work are used to show that the communication between the bird and the woman is important…
Andrew was working in a local law firm in Manhattan that was started and owned by his father. He had followed in his father’s footsteps and rose through the ranks to become one of the most prominent defense lawyers in Manhattan (Fields 12). It only took him four years to be a senior partner in the firm. His client-network had spread throughout the country that he travelled a lot to defend suspects. Andrew’s career was experiencing an upward trajectory, and people looked up to him as a role model. He was one of the highest earning lawyers in the state. However, despite all that, Andrew was becoming disillusioned with his career. When not busy, he usually sat in his nicely furnished…