Key+Word

"Dede said at last, already beginning to compromise with the man she was set to marry" (79) The women must learn to compromise what they already have in their life, to determine if they want to stay with the life they have or go have something better. For example, Minerva must decide if she wants to become a lawyer and pursue a better life, or fall in love with Lio and stay in the life she has. The daughters must compromise what they have in their life and what they want to give up to find what they really want. Part of the journey and transformation of the sister is learning not to compromise their beliefs because of someone else
 * Compromise: **

“My true identity now is Mariposa (#2)” (143) The identities of the Mirabal sisters alter once they join the revolutionary forces. Not only do their names change literally, but their associations in society change. They now identify themselves with revolutionaries and have strong opinions which define them differently.
 * Identity: **

“Amen to the revolution!” (164) Revolution becomes a common word in society and particularly in the Mirabal household as a result of their endeavor for democracy.
 * Revolution: **

“Patria Mercedes, how you’ve changed!” (164) Change is a key word in the text which describes the growth in knowledge and opinion for the Mirabal sisters. It also expresses the transformations they wish to see in society. Change also relates to the concept of metamorphosis which butterflies go through, which can be parallel to the lives of the sisters.
 * Change: **

The essence of the text is a strive for justice. The Mirabal family, as well as their companions, are in search of freedom from their dictatorship. Throughout the novel there are various events which demonstrate the injustice and immorality inflicted by Trujillo. Thus, the Mirabal sisters are activists in search of justice.
 * Justice: **

"Dede could not run away. Courage! It was the first time she had used that word to herself and understood exactly what it mean" (198) Courage can be used to describe the drive behind the actions of the butterflies throughout their movement. All sisters learn the true meaning of this word because they illustrate it in their daily lives. They put their lives on the line for the betterment of their society and in doing so protect each other. The sisters bravely stand up to authority due to their personal beliefs.
 * Courage: **

"Remember.. Don't forget" (295) Forget is a key word as it is the reason this story is being told. Dede is striving for everyone to remember the stories of her sisters. To never forget that they were not mythic beings of otherworldly ideals, but women, sisters, and mothers who through gentle rebellion broke apart the strength of a tyrannous despot. If this were forgotten, one of the key inspirations of revolution and change would be forgotten; the ability for every one to affect change through small acts of rebellion.
 * Forget:**

Talk of the People (283) People is an important word in the text as it shows the power of the community. United together they can strive for justice and freedom against the strong Trujillo. Moreover, it is the talk or act of communication that is the weapon of the people. As it is strong by the power to challenge dictators and lies with truth and unity, possesses ability to organize and collectively think, and is something that can never be taken any. Thus it is the people and their voice that emerges as one the strongest forces in the book, one to inspire radical change.
 * People:**

"It was the least I could do, being the one saved" (301). The word salvation plays a very key role in the novel. It has many different aspects. From the need to save others, the Mirabal sisters set out to help their country regain the freedom and justice it deserves. This exposes a obligation that plays out, a responsibility to assist humanity. Members of family, the community, and even the country all must assist each other and save each other from the various evils. However, there is also a responsibility to being saved. For Dede being the survivor of the Mirabal sisters gives her the challenge of living up to her perished sisters and spreading their story. She must support the country and raise the country with their inspiring story. Thus the word save showcases the various responsibilities the humans have.To help each other and continue on the fight.
 * Saved:**

"spell of revolutions" (302) The word revolution is a key idea throughout the novel. Revolution exposes it self to be a communal rush towards independence and freedom. Undertaken with a confluence of human emotions and actions, it seeks radical change and new life. However, revolution emerges as both a positive and negative force. It ideals strive for the establishment a just, equal society, however its end result often results in violent, bloody spats. The need for a revolution that is gentle and restrain that overpowers the dictator, but not become brutal and warped.
 * Revolution**

Evolution is the reason why 3 young women in the oppressed Dominican Republic were able to become social activists. Change becomes an inevitable reality for the Mirabal sisters as they realize that the injustices of their world need to fixed. These sisters are named //las mariposas// because of their feminine demeanor combined with their pursuit of freedom. They evolved into revolutionary beings willing to leave their secure cocoons.
 * Evolution**

"I didn't want them to grow up with hate" (304) The word grow is also a key word. Grow is carried throughout the book. The Mirabals sisters grow from the personal and domestic sphere to a sphere of social consciousness and activism. The growth of free and independent Dominican Republic from the former police state. Struggling to assist the growth of the children of the Mirabal sisters in order to let them live a normal life, free of hate. The need for the people of the Dominican Republic to grow beyond veneration of the Mirabal sisters to the understanding that the Mirabal sisters are someone that they can become. Grow as a word describes the tone of hope and possibility throughout the novel.
 * Grow**

"Quickly I reach for the heavier set of dice and began shaking them in my fist." (115) The dice signify the chance and randomness. Minerva takes a chance when she puts her dream of studying in law school in the hands of the dice. The Mirabal sisters have also been dealt a struggle that they did not merit.
 * Dice:**

"I was so sorry to disappoint her, and yet I felt there was nothing to apologize for" (49) In this specific passage, Patria is describing her feelings of not being called to enter the convent. The generally idea of apologies in //In the Time of the Butterflies// does exist, even though the sisters are openly disobedient to the oppressive Trujillo regime. Dede is sorry that she did not stop her sisters from leaving that night, Patria is, yet is not, sorry for not becoming a Sister, the list goes on. The idea of saying "sorry" links to regret and living with regret.
 * Sorry:**

This word is used countless times in the commonly used phrase 'Mirabel sisters.' Though it may just be a word describing their familial relationship, it goes much deeper than that. Their sisterhood bounds them to each other, their family, their faith, their home etc. and allows them to have support in all of their actions. Though Minerva, Mate, and Patria are considered the most important or famous sisters, Dede still shares this bond and has a special role. She is chosen to care for all of the children after their mothers are gone and to tell their story which keeps this sisterhood and the roots and history of the revolution alice. Despite, each sisters' own decisions and actions that make them an individual, they are are notoriously bonded by this sisterhood. The sisters are also so often grouped together as the Mirabal sisters. Just one being rather than four unique women with their own personal story. In the novel, Alvarez works to make them into distinct characters with more facets to their personality than just "revolutionary" and "sister".
 * Sisters**:


 * Butterfly: **

**Secrets:**

**Disappear:**

**Confinement:**

**Persistence:**