In the Time of the Butterflies.
War for Liberation
“Get down, son! Get down! His eyes found mine just as the shot hit him square in the back. I saw the wonder of his young face as the life drained out of him, and I thought, Oh my God, he’s one of mine!” (Alvarez 162). Four sisters step forward to fight the corruption and injustice of their nation. Against a cruel tyrant and the odds against them, they refuse to give up their beliefs or courage, as they lead their nation toward the war for liberation. The Mirabal sisters represent the anomalies of the society, struggling to fight for their God-given rights of freedom in the 1930-1960’s in the Dominican Republic. In the Time of the Butterflies is not just a story of the Mirabal sister’s immense fight against the thirty-one year reign of Dominican Republic dictator Rafael Trujillo, but also portrays a story of love, insecurities, and strength that transforms the lives of the four sisters.
Patria, one of the brave Mirabal sisters, goes through the most drastic life-changing battle. Patria struggles to overcome the tragedy of having a miscarriage and is overwhelmed with emptiness. Patria’s strong insecurities reveal themselves as she buries herself in sorrow and sadness struggling to come to terms with her loss. Patria still continues on but hides to protect herself. Although she loses her identity, she hides it from her community: “…a model Catholic wife and mother. I fooled them all! Yes, for a long time after losing my faith, I went on, making believe” (Alvarez 55). Still known in her community as a good Catholic wife and mother, Patria hides her loss of identity to others and projects toward society an image condoning her oppressive struggles, but inside she was “an empty house.” She goes on living the life expected of her, as she resumes her duties and puts on a good face over her broken heart. Patria represents the fears and insecurities we all portray when faced with challenges. She foreshadowed the rest of the people of the Dominican
“Get down, son! Get down! His eyes found mine just as the shot hit him square in the back. I saw the wonder of his young face as the life drained out of him, and I thought, Oh my God, he’s one of mine!” (Alvarez 162). Four sisters step forward to fight the corruption and injustice of their nation. Against a cruel tyrant and the odds against them, they refuse to give up their beliefs or courage, as they lead their nation toward the war for liberation. The Mirabal sisters represent the anomalies of the society, struggling to fight for their God-given rights of freedom in the 1930-1960’s in the Dominican Republic. In the Time of the Butterflies is not just a story of the Mirabal sister’s immense fight against the thirty-one year reign of Dominican Republic dictator Rafael Trujillo, but also portrays a story of love, insecurities, and strength that transforms the lives of the four sisters.
Patria, one of the brave Mirabal sisters, goes through the most drastic life-changing battle. Patria struggles to overcome the tragedy of having a miscarriage and is overwhelmed with emptiness. Patria’s strong insecurities reveal themselves as she buries herself in sorrow and sadness struggling to come to terms with her loss. Patria still continues on but hides to protect herself. Although she loses her identity, she hides it from her community: “…a model Catholic wife and mother. I fooled them all! Yes, for a long time after losing my faith, I went on, making believe” (Alvarez 55). Still known in her community as a good Catholic wife and mother, Patria hides her loss of identity to others and projects toward society an image condoning her oppressive struggles, but inside she was “an empty house.” She goes on living the life expected of her, as she resumes her duties and puts on a good face over her broken heart. Patria represents the fears and insecurities we all portray when faced with challenges. She foreshadowed the rest of the people of the Dominican
Cited: Alvarez, Julia. In the Time of the Butterflies. New York: Penguin Group, 1995. Print.