Connections+to+other+texts

__** Girl In Hyacinth Blue **__

The philosophical question "Is love enough?" is explored in both Girl in Hyacinth Blue and In the Time of the Butterflies. In Girl in Hyacinth Blue, Susan Vreeland suggests that Cornelius' deep loving connection with the supposed Vermeer painting is strong enough to appease his guilt and shame of his father's ignoble actions. In a moment of passion, Cornelius almost burns the painting, but decides against it, implying that his love for the painting triumphs over his other emotions in that instant. In In the Time of the Butterflies, Alvarez proposes that perhaps the question is not "Is love enough?", but rather, "What is it that you love above all else?". In her diary, Maria Theresa she admits that her profound love for Leandro is much more meaningful to her than her desire for freedom and revolution. She admits that she "would never be able to give up Leandro to some higher ideal the way I feel Minerva and Manolo would each other if they had to make the supreme sacrifice" (147). Minerva and Manolo's love of their own personal rights and freedoms diverges from Maria Theresa's in the sense that it trumps their love for one another. In addition, it is Patria's love for all children that impels her to join in the revolution rather than her dislike of Trujillo and his destructive decisions. Alvarez thus presents that there is one person, item, or idea that is loved above all else. This dominant love is the reason behind practically all decisions and aspirations and is powerful enough to surmount all obstacles. This is particularly inherent in how each Mirabal sister joins the revolution.

The works A Girl in Hyacinth Blue and In the Time of Butterflies suggest the importance of family on acts of resistance. In A Girl in Hyacinth Blue, Hannah commits a “great, wild loving thing” (51) of killing the family’s pigeons in order to protect her family. This selfless act without regard to herself shows a connection to a wider community and strong values instilled in her from her family. Values of life, freedom, and strength in Hannah’s family allow her the necessary tipping point to be inspired to commit the act. The sisters In the Time of Butterflies commit similar acts as they move from their personal sphere to a sphere of activism and rebellion. It is selfless, strong, and amazing. These values and the urge to commit these actions were instilled in them by their family. From the equal balance of power between the father and the mother, the encouragement to stand up for one’s own opinions, a strong education, and commitment to the larger community the sisters are started out on their road to becoming activists. It is these things that make them want to stand up to Trujillo. This theme showcases the possibility of ordinary heroes, that anyone can become an activist and someone who changes things. With strong values, especially ones given by families, becoming an activist is inherent and more change will come about.

“She remembers a clear moonlit night before the future began.” (8). This immediately reminded me of the phrase, “Real living had begun.” //In Girl in a Hyacinth Blue// this foreshadowed the troublesome future to face expressing that real living was living through obstacles, suffering, etc. In their family’s case, they were preparing for the Holocaust, celebrating for one last night before they would be broken apart and their dreamlike world beforehand would never again be a reality. This is much like Dede’s passage that displays the peaceful and simple life before the acts of the revolution took place. Life was innocent and happy, maybe lacking passion, yet the families were content at that time. Dede’s memory emphasizes how their life has been so utterly normal “before the future began.” The future not only changed the story of their family but also the course of actions in the Dominican Republic after the sisters’ deaths, leading to freedom. In both scenarios, families were preparing for the future that had promise of struggle and hardships. Both passages look to the future, aware of the obstacles and prepared to take it on though not fully wanting the change to come. Still, change effected both of these families by the harshness and tragic actions of dictators in both societies.

__** Oedipus **__

Oedipus and Dede express similar themes as both showcase the suffering and heroism in choosing life over death. Oedipus, as his secret is exposed, loses his kingdom, his family, and former life. However, Oedipus decides that he will do his penance and suffer by remaining alive. It is an act of heroism and dignity as it is to embrace loneliness, sorrow, and regret and fight against them. Dede also expresses this theme. As the surviving sister, she is alone left to embrace "this terrible, beautiful present" (65) and tell the stories of her sisters. It is a tremendous deed as Dede must constantly delve into the sorrowful past and recount these terrible memories. She has lost her core community and support of her family and alone must deal with the tumultuous rise of the Dominican Republic. Yet this suffering is for a heroic purpose. To educate and teach the country about the roots of activism and courage. It is expressed that she fears that the story of her sisters has become too exalted, distancing the public from the truth. The truth that these women are everyday people, who choose to do magnificent things. It is something that can spring from anyone. It is this fight to express the humanity of her sisters that Dede shows the strength and suffering in the role of the survivor.

Sophocles’ “Oedipus Rex” and Julia Alvarez’ __In the Time of Butterflies__ are both stories told by those who survive, but are seemingly cowardly. Oedipus and Dede Mirabal are the only ones left to tell their disastrous tales. In this way, they share a connection of being the ‘less heroic’ ones, however they have real strength. Oedipus made the difficult decision to live with the pain of the error of his ways. Dede has to relive the loneliness of the sole surviving sister, a role she plays because of her less active participation in the revolution. This strength to keep on living is truly challenging, and the mark of an unsung hero.

__** Antigone **__

Minerva is similar to Antigone, she is willing to fight for what she believes in, completely risking not only her own life, but her entire family's. Antigone puts her life in danger to bury her brother, a cause she believed was worth fighting for. Minerva attends secret meetings, and listens to secret broadcasts, not afriad to fight back against the oppressive regime. While Minerva is fearless in her thoughts and actions, her sisters are similar to Ismene. Ismene knew that Antigone's actions would get her in trouble, and attempted to talk her out of her actions. Dede, Patria and Minerva constantly worry about their sister, Patria confesses, "this belly had me worrying all the time about my sister Minerva. (51)" The acts of the Mirabal sisters mirror Antigone's acts of civil disobedience. Simple. Small. Powerful. Through small acts of resistance the Mirabal sisters become the face of rebellion and change for the Dominican Republic. They balance their lives as daughters, sisters, wives, and mothers with a regard and respect to human rights and dignity. Remaining resolute and courageous in the face of an oppressive regime. This act though can be simple, but it is one of extreme and honorable defiance. By simply remaining strong in their ideals and actions, they present a model of civil disobedience that is immensely heroic. From a handful of dust to remaining strong, both show the absolute power and courage in simple acts of rebellion.

The fearless Minerva of Julia Alvarez’ In the Time of Butterflies, greatly resembles the defiant Antigone of Sophocles’ “Antigone”, due to their similarly courageous, but illegal acts against the strong government. Antigone took a huge stand against the absolute edict of King Creon, in order to do what was morally correct. Minerva protested against the unjust rule of the horrible, yet powerful dictator Rafael Trujillo. Neither of these two women were intimidated by the total and influential rule of these two men, and adhered to their moral obligations despite pending consequences. These two revolutionary women suffered for their cause; in fact they were both even thrown in jail and endured torturous acts. Antigone's proactive actions and her standing up to Creon, who more than once doubted her because she was a woman, who should have been a silent, agreeable, passive member of society rather than an active one.

__** Macbeth **__

Lady Macbeth's "unsex me here" speech in which she embraced masculinity - by doing this, Lady Macbeth defies the social expectations of a woman being the docile, obedient companion to the male and instead taking on a leadership role that cannot be defined by gender alone, but rather by strength of character, determination to succeed, and a calculating mind with a carefully thought out vision- things which were previously considered to be solely male traits. Minerva takes most after Lady Macbeth in her determination to become a lawyer and eventually lead a revolution, both of which were what was considered a "male" thing to do. Both Lady Macbeth and Minerva fight against the predjudices and stereotypes of women in their societies to rise above it and fulfill their goals and prove just how powerful women truly are.

In the Time of the Butterflies also relates to the play Macbeth because the good and just characters in the novel, such as Macduff and Malcolm, the rightful king, rise up against the tyrant Macbeth. Likewise, the Mirabal sisters rise up against the unjust tyrant Trujillo

The works of Macbeth and In the Time of Butterflies share the theme of an increasing violent struggle for power. Macbeth changes from his typical role of a loyal solider to a murderous despot who will do anything to gain and keep the throne. It is acknowledged the qualities of these ambitions as “deepest and darkest desires” (1:5:51) as they showcase primal and vicious feelings in Macbeth’s character. Trujillo shares this as to keep his rule he commits bribery, blackmail, treachery, and murder. He represses his people, denies them basic human rights, and strikes tragedy throughout the land. These two men seek to use human fear to their advantage and stifle activism, change, and independence through their respective people. The consequences of this are extreme as their violent actions allow a culture and acceptance of the use of brutality. Scotland's social order, even its environment, begins to collapse causing chaos. After Trujillo is deposed, a time of struggles occurs as the country fights against each other. Trujillo’s model is shown as having an huge impact on the people as if “each one had a bit of Trujillo” (311), making them see violence as a effective way to gain their freedoms. Thus the powers of violent of dictators as shown to be immensely destructive as they can affect the morality of a country for years to come.

__** Fifth Child **__

<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">The theme of the negative consequences of betrayal in a marriage is shared between both books. In Fifth Child, the Lovatt's marriage falls apart as David feels that Harriet has betrayed the family by allowing Ben back into the family. As a result, their relationship fails as they can no longer connect to one another. Mercedes feels betrayed by Enrique as he purses an extramarital affair. They grow apart even though each is "full of need" (57) as both rely on the family to express their emotions. It causes the relationship between the father to the mother and daughters to be strained. Betrayal in a marriage creates a divided family that can no longer express themselves to each other as they no longer trust each other making the family structure collapse.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">__** Frankenstein **__

<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Lio Morales and Dr. Victor Frankenstein are both revolutionary and counter-cultural thinkers who lose their love interests because of their dedication to their cause. They are both extremely driven, and even single-mindedly tunnel-visioned. Dr. Frankenstein loses his wife Elizabeth, and ultimately kills her because of his obsession with creating life. Lio Morales makes a very important decision, one in which he chooses to follow the revolution, instead of pursuing Minerva.

<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Frankenstein and In the Time of Butterflies both contain the theme of nature as a source of life and death. Frankenstein seeks peace and calm through the glory and wonder of nature and gains new insights and thus life through appreciating the extent of nature's beauties. However, nature is also shown as being closely related to death and destruction. From the tree blasted by lighting to the limitless expanse of desolate icy tundra, nature possess dark qualities. This is also expressed through In the Time of Butterflies. Nature is seen as life in frequent imagery of trees, rain, and butterflies creating a mood that is full of new life that is benevolent and good. However, imagery such as the "fallen blossoms" (5) and "dead branches of trees" (4) remind the reader of the constant threat of death. This theme exposes the duality in nature and in life. Both posses qualities that are helpful or destructive to humanity. Life indeed for Frankenstein and the Mirabal sisters is one filled where the chance to create or bring about new life is there, but death and destruction constantly loom. It shows the tumult and change of life.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">__** Kubla Khan **__

<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">The poem Kubla Khan and the novel In the Time of the Butterflies showcase the theme of the impossibility to contain nature. In Kubla Khan it is decreed to build a pleasure doom with “walls and towers girdled round” to contain the best of nature, however it fails to this. Compared to the nature freely flowing in the icy caves below, which is “ceaseless turmoil seething”, the pleasure dome is a cheap imitation. While In the Time of Butterflies, even though Trujilio tries to repress the human wants for freedom, independence, and free-thinking the Mirabal sisters fight for all of these and embrace these values into their own beings. Indeed, the entire country bursts into anger and fights to remove the hatred dictator. This highlights that both nature and humanity are something that can never be fully controlled. They can be repressed and held back for awhile, but someday something powerful will burst forth and break whatever bonds holding them back. There is a need for freedom and independence that cannot be denied and it will be fought for.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">__** Rime of the Ancient Mariner **__

<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Both works share a story that interweaves the complications of the relationship between fate and chance. In Rime of the Ancient Mariner, the Ancient Mariner possess free will to commit his sin, however is world is highly liminal. Crashing actions of choice and the supernatural blur the decisions of the Mariner and the world he inhabits. The Mirabal sister's also live in a world where choice and fate are powerful forces. The sisters are in absolute control of their responses and decisions, showing free will. However, this world is also reliant on supernatural forces. In times of need and suffering, the sisters often seek out God and the Virgin Mary. These entities are seen by many characters as possessing willpower over the world as there was "no limit to what our Lord can do". (203) These themes highlight the complexity of choice and the highly meshed forces of chance and fate, that both hold sway in some way on life.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">__** A Doll's House **__

<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Mama from Julia Alvarez’s In the Time of Butterflies is similar to Nora Helmer in Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”. They are both being treated unfairly by their husbands. Nora is not treated as an equal, and talked down to in a domineering manner. She is referred to only in pet names, and frequently rebuked. Mama is not given loyalty and faithfulness. Enrique Mirabal (Papa) cheats on Mama with Carmen, and has four daughters. Unfortunately, this act of unfaithfulness is common and rather accepted in this particular society. Quite similarly, Torvald Helmer’s overall attitude towards Nora seemed rather usual for the times. <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">A Doll’s House and In the Time of Butterflies share the theme of secrecy and deception. In A Doll’s House, Nora is limited by her husband’s expectations of her roles and self and she hides her own identity. However this secret and amount of things hidden in this house is negative as “unhappy secret must be disclosed; they must have a complete understanding between them, which is impossible with all this concealment and falsehood going on.” (59) While in In the Time of Butterflies the girls use deception from praying at the portrait of Trujillo, taking secret code names, Dede hiding the letters, and Enrique not disclosing his extramarital affair. However, for a majority of these secrets and deceptions, they are shown as something that they had to commit and often are beneficial. The difference between these two is often Nora choose to deceive for herself, while the Mirabal sisters choose to deceive to help the community. Nora also did not use this deception to fight against the gender roles of the day till the end of the play, while the Mirabal sisters fought to overthrow a vengeful dictator. Thus secrets and deceptions are shown as things that can be good or bad, it depends on their intended purpose. If it is to merely hide the things that need to be expressed, it is bad. While, if it is to work on something greater and rebel against typical powers, it is something beneficial. This showcases the power of intent and the changing of what can be good and what can be bad. <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Women's roles: Nora leaving her role as a little doll, and breaking the unwritten rules of patriarchal society. Both Nora and the Butterflies are able to achieve more than society expects of them. <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Dede is much like Nora because she realizes that her marriage is not an equal union, but a unequal patriarchy that is controlled by her husband. Both Dede and Nora decide to leave their husbands in order to achieve independence and freedom. Even though Dede does not actually go through with her plan to leave her husband, Jaimito, her planning is much like Nora's, and the alternate ending that Ibsen was forced to write is much like what occurs in Alvarez's novel, because Dede decides she cannot desert her children.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">__** A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius **__

<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">"The lattice is connective tissue..everyone else..as one, a vast matrix, an army, a whole, each one of us responsible to one another...everyone to grab a port of the other...more people...stronger the lattice...less likely to fall" (211) <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">This connects to the theme of the strength in community. The ideas that the joining together of fellows with shared action and ideals can create something stronger to assist the individual and the whole. As in both In the Time of Butterflies and A.H.W.S.G characters cluster in groups and gain a power they did not possess when they stood alone. From three sisters able to bring together an entire country under rebellion and thus begin to break the power of Trujillo to Eggers who relies on a community of friends and family to assist him in raising his brother in face of death and the tribulations of life; new power and force is given when they reach out to a group. As each group, when bonded together, is constant well of hope, courage, and knowledge as each member has the opportunity to enthuse everyone as they share their joys, pains, and suffering. It "distributes the weight" making a collective whole that either strengthens when each success and joy or diffuses the pain and suffering felt by the individual. The individual in effect becomes stronger with the group as they share share the might and will of many, not just one. It is in this collective the opportunity to create massive change is possible as no one member fears "falling" or failing because they know they will be supported and assisted. Courage, bravery, and will is then restored and the possibility of action realized. This has been seen in the Middle East as people realized their grief and anger at the regime was not solitary and gathered to show the will of the people over the will of the tyrant. Thus this showcases the need from greater kinship and respect for humanity. A need for more to realize their own community and extend it to gain more strength and change.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">__** Eleni **__

<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Both are true stories of women who died for a cause that they believed in. In Eleni, Eleni Gatzoyiannis defied the strict communist regime taking over Greece in order to save her four children. By planning and helping to execute the escape of the minors, as well as many other people, by far the largest and youngest single group to successfully escape the small mountain village she had always called her home, in such a dangerous time. Eleni shows extreme courage by defying all odds and singlehandedly raising her children while her husband is in America, while not conforming to the corrupt communist government that conquers her village and a large portion of the rest of Greece. Similar to the Mirabal sisters, who fought for their cause by defying the social standards set by the Trujillo regime, Eleni refuses to spy on her neighbors and turn in her peers for saying anything negative about the communists. In both situations, powerful female characters spearhead the fight against unjust and dangerous regimes. Ultimately all lose their lives because of their actions, but leave behind better cultural situations for future generations.

Shifting Roles of women in society "women had to come out of the dark ages" (butterflies), Minerva playing volleyball and becoming a lawyer Lady Macbeth's "unsex me here" speech in which she embraced masculinity Dollhouse- Nora leaving her role as a little doll, and breaking the unwritten rules of patriarchal society Antigone - Antigone's proactive actions and her standing up to Creon, who more than once doubted her because she was a woman