Inquiry+Questions

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The revolution is imminent, as are the deaths of the butterflies. The story of what happens in their lives leading up to their deaths and their legacy does not change the outcome. Julia Alvarez writes the end of the story at the beginning because with the development of each of the characters moving to the point where they realize that a revolution is necessary, they decide their future. Though the butterflies’ choice is not to die, they decide that a revolution is important enough to risk their lives. Maria Teresa makes this decision after she sees every person who has died for this cause as her own child. Knowing Maria Teresa’s fate makes it easier to concentrate on why she makes this decision and is changed, instead of waiting for the moment that it happens. Instead of reading for content, it becomes easier to read for meaning because the content is essentially already known. =====

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By starting the novel at the end, readers already know how the story is going to end. As shown in Romeo and Juliet, Oedipus Rex, as well as Titanic, there is an appeal in knowing the fate of the characters. For readers and movie watchers alike, being able to see how choice, randomness, as well as perhaps fate, directly affect the outcome of the story is oftentimes more dramatic and powerful than just reading/watching to see how the story plays out. In the instance of In the Time of the Butterflies, by Julia Alvarez, the reader knows that three of the Mirabal sisters are going to die, while Dede survives. Ironically, because of that, readers will feel more connected and sympathetic to the girls, making the story all the more powerful. =====

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The novel starts at the end for a number of reasons. The first reason is that when Alvarez first learned about the Mirabal sisters, she most likely learned about the car crash first and thus her interest was piqued.. By starting with this fact, the reader learns the first part of the story that Alvarez learned, and as a result readers can connect with Alvarez' experience as an investigative jounalist. Second reason for starting at the end is that Alvarez wishes to explore the back story of the girls in order to highlight themes of social justice, and the subordinate role of females in the culture of the Dominican Republic. Alvarez starts out introducing these girls as revolutionary martyrs and immediately after, she tells the reader about the girls' childhooods. By doing this Alvarez is penetrating the external and public view of the girls as revolutionaries and discovering them on a personal level by examing their individual personalities through the use of their diaries. She is revealing that these three extraordinary girls are really ordinary people. Alvarez is examing how and why these three young girls became iconic leaders in their country. =====

Her purpose is to chronicle the contributions of ordinary women in a sociopolitical movement for national independence, liberation, and freedom from colonial and patriarchal forms of oppression. Alvarez explores the relationship between gender and nation by developing discrete voices and personae for the Mirabal sisters. Dede, like Alvarez, is empowered to tell the story of her sisters' resistance against private (the father) and public (Trujillo) forms of patriarchy and oppression. Alvarez exposes important political questions about the position of women in a family and a nation. Catholocism also plays an important role in the formation of the Mirabals; at the time, it aimed to groom women into compliance, marriage, and motherhood. The final part of the novel examines the treatment and abuse of women in Trujillo's prisons. Alvarez exposes the power hierachies at play in a small patriarchal system, and exposes new possibilities for gender roles.

Alvarez decided to dedicate the novel to Dede, because the theme of forgiveness that goes throughout Dede's point of view in the story. Also, she is the only sister who can have something to gain from the book. Throughout her point of view, Dede struggles with the choices she made. Dede's has regretful tone. She is similar to the Ancient Mariner, but is reluctant to accept her role to tell the story over again. Dede says, "Everyone wants to buy a policy from the woman who just missed being killed along with her tree sisters. Can she help it?" (4). Dede gets agitated with the unwanted publicity and spotlight that comes with being the only survivor among her sisters. It shines light to her on the choices that she has made that have become bad memories for her. These choices haunt her because it has resulted in her being the only Mirabal. Dede says, "And when this doesn't work, she thinks, I get stuck playing the same bad moment," (7). She needs to let go of the past. Significant time has passed since the murder of Dede's sisters and Dede still has not been able to have her anagnorisis moment. She has not fully shed the baggage from the events of the past. Like Oedipus Rex she is too focused on the past and not enough on her present. This illustrates the importance of storytelling as a way of reflection, which can help Dede be able to realize why she is still here. Dede's relfection will allow her to look again and the choices she made resulting her survival, and it was fate or randomness.
 * Why did Alvarez dedicate it to simply Dedé and not all the sisters? EM/AD**

Alvarez dedicates the novel to Dede because it is her story. At the beginning, Dede is resentful of the publicity and attention she receives because they revolve around the death of her sisters, and make her think of painful emotions. Every November, reporters eat up her story and spit it out with new twists to make it their own. Through her dedication, Alvarez acknowledges that she too sought to make Dede’s story her own. But the story is still Dede’s. This story is not your sisters’, nor your parents, nor anyone else’s. It is yours. Accept it as a part of yourself.

Minerva slapping Trujillo signifies the defiance of gender roles and her empowerment as an individual. As one of the first and few to personally stand up to Trujillo, Minerva unknowingly sparks the beginning of a movement against Trujillo. Minerva’s slap is a symbol for the future revolution fostered by the Mirabal sisters, which is metaphorically a slap to Trujillo’s face and challenge of his power. As a result of the events at the Discovery Day Dance, the Mirabals escape the party, yet in the process Minerva realizes, “Ay, Patria, my purse. I left it at the table” (101). Lio’s letters are in the pocket of her purse, which ties Minerva to the treasonous activities. Thus, the Mirabal family is kept under a watchful eye following the party and the sisters maintain a growing hatred of Trujillo and his oppression. Minerva’s slap to Trujillo’s face commences the Mirabal sisters’ movement for democracy, which shakes the face of society. Minerva’s scandalous slap in the face to Trujilo was a mark of her disobedience to the regime. She is one of the few citizens who do not fear the dictator’s wrath because she wants a better life for not only her generation, but for the following one as well. Minerva does not stand for Trujilo’s vulgar behavior, nor does she allow herself to be taken advantage of. By slapping the cruel man in the face, Minerva is sending the message that she is a force to be reckoned with. She does not have a loud voice in society, but is rather a quiet power that gains momentum as others begin to follow her example. The passage following the slap to Trujilo begins with a heavy rain disbanding the guests of the party. “And then the rain comes down hard, slapping sheets of it” (100). The rain is the aftermath of the slap. It is everything coming crashing down around the people. It is Trujilo’s anger, it is the Mirabal sisters’ efforts to ruin the regime, like rain ruins an outdoor party, it is the element of surprise with lasting effects. Whether or not Alvarez added the downpour as a supplement to the event, Minerva’s act of slapping the dictator paired with the weather, creates an atmosphere of relative calm, in this case, the party, transitioning to one of chaos.
 * What is the significance of Minerva slapping Trujillo? (whether it actually happened or not) EM/AD**

By creating an obvious pattern of bad men, Alvarez portrays the gender inequalities and injustices of that time. She shows that a strictly patriarchal society is wrong by illustrating the men as extremely flawed individuals. Therefore, by exposing their authority as undeserved and wrongful, Alvarez is subtly arguing for female rights. The strong pattern of masculine mistakes is eventually broken, though. In a stroke of unbiased creativity, she introduces the character of Rufino de la Cruz. This seemingly minor character is one of the Butterflies' last allies. Without his bravery and loyalty, they would not have been able to visit their husbands in jail. He has unwavering courage, even when the road, in every sense of the phrase, gets rough. Through this beacon of goodness in a story of flawed men, Alvarez suggests that not all men are bad. She also illuminates, through this heroic cab driver, the chance of a Dominican Republic where women will eventually be equal to men. Like the Butterflies, Rufino brings hope in a time of darkness and his sacrifice hints at a better future, one of gender equality.
 * Why when almost all males in the novel are displayed negatively, did Alvarez choose to break this pattern by creating the good and heroic character of Rufino? MS/HG**

Each of the sections of this novel is told from the first person point of view of each of the four sisters. However, instead of presenting each as a narrative of the sister’s thoughts and ideas, Maria Teresa’s story is presented in the form of a diary. A diary is usually written by a person in order to get their thoughts out with the intention that no one will ever read it. By having Maria Teresa keep a diary, Alvarez offers the reader a different perspective into the life of the Mirabel sisters. The more personal nature of a diary entry gives the reader a deeper insight into Maria Teresa’s life.
 * Structurally, why was Maria Theresa the only one to keep a diary? AK/BK**

Mate’s diary entries also attach a date to the different events. The flow of time is presented through Mate’s diary because each of the section is dated. When important events occur the diary entries are closely spaced together, yet there are times when there are years between the diary entries. Mate is able to present her ideas and thoughts in the form of a diary because it is her “special book” to do with whatever she likes. Furthermore, Minerva gives Mate her first diary at a young age. Through her various diary entries a very clear timeline of her life leading up to joining the revolution can be found.

Mate is the youngest of the daughters and thus has much more growing up to do before she is able to join the revolution. She herself even states that her old diary seemed “very silly” (137). Mate herself recognizes that she has changed over time and that different things are now important to her. In her old diaries many of her entries focused on marriage and love, however her later entries show a gained maturity and her focus on the revolution. Through the diary entries, Alvarez presents a more personal view of the revolution.

Maria Theresa was the only sister to keep a diary, because she illustrates the theme of maturing. Minverva gives her a diary, because it is a good way to reflect and deepen the soul, (30). This suggests that Maria Theresa is going to grow up through the novel with the help of her journal. She writes at the end of her first diary entry “I suppose now that I’ve got one I’m responsible for, I have to expect some changes,” (30). This shows that Maria Theresa is going to mature. In fact, after only a year Maria Theresa notices how keeping a diary is helping to deepen her soul. She starts out thinking that she cannot reflect, but grows in thought and understanding and is making connections her older sisters do not make until later in the story. She reflects, “It is so strange now I know something I’m not suppose to know…I see a //guardia//, and I think who have you killed. I hear a police siren, and I think who is going to be killed,” (39). At about ten years old Mate is starting to be conscious of things happening outside of her house. This shows the impact that the journaling has had on her. Maria Theresa is devolving traits of compassion for others, which will carry with her into her resistance work.

It is possible that the characters advocate for communism as all share a strong sense of community and power of society. Communism is defined as a movement that focuses on a society that is classless and stateless by promoting common ownership. This showcases communism as firmly believing the need for a whole, for the country to be equal as one. It is shown that many of the characters also identify with a society and communal being without limits. Patria feels motherly concern for the rebels as she had "ignored their cries of desolation" (53) and Minerva wanting to "fight everyone's fight" each realizes the strength of their connection to the whole of the country. Thus it may have been natural from them to be susceptible to communism's message it empowered the power of the collective power. An idea through fighting, hoping, and feeling together they felt connected and partial to. Also, during the time communism did not have so many negative connotations and was an ideal many thought would create an fair and equal society. Though communism as a political system usually restricts the rights and freedoms of a people the idea of communism bedrock is in equality.
 * Why would the characters advocate for communism if they wanted to be free? M.H.**

The society that Enrique lived in was very male dominant, thus it was very important for him to have a son. Even though it cannot be seen as morally correct for Mirabal to start up a "secret family" it may have been out of love for his 4 eldest daughters that he sought a male heir. He wanted to make sure that they would be protected once he passed away. The fact that he does not have a son but did not take his ager out upon his family shows that he still loves his daughters, even if they are all that he has. Another reason that he goes to Carmern Maria may be that he misses having young daughters at home, but is unable to contain his own daughters anymore. He starts his second family at the time that his daughters are going off to school, and feeling as if his family is leaving him may lead him to want another family. However, if his wife did not want more children he would need an alternate solution, thus going to Carmen Maria. Alvarez shows through this that men in the Dominican Republic at this time are not all hard hearted, but also have a soft side to feel neglect when their young daughters leave them.
 * Why did the father, (Enrique Mirabal) stray away from his family and go to Carmen Maria? C.C.**

General Rafael Trujillo found great interest in being in the company of Minerva because of her bold and ambitious personality. When he first meets her at the dance held at his palace, she is clearly different from other women he has seduced and labeled as one of his companions. Lina Lovaton falls in love with Trujillo when she meets him at her school and is invited to spend more time with him. She falls under the spell that he has used on so many people, and fails to see his true side, which is actually evil and murderous rather than loving and caring. Upon inviting Minerva to sit at his table at the party, Trujillo does not expect her to be any different from girls like Lina. However, she proves him wrong almost immediately. First, instead of feeling honored and gracious to be in the presence of her nation's ruler, she expresses anger and dread when her father pushes her to accept such an invitation. When Trujillo and Minvera begin dancing, she does not allow her leader to get too close, but rather pushes him away and even slaps him. As the novel progresses, though, Trujillo still is intrigued and wants to meet privately with Minerva. This is because he has never encountered a woman who does not allow him to do whatever he wants. Minerva is the first to actually stand up for herself and not allow Trujillo to do anything to her she is uncomfortable with. Being a powerful ruler, this is certainly not anything he is used to, which is why he feels compelled to keep trying to achieve this great challenge of winning Minerva over. Minerva presents a challenge to Trujillo. Most people the infamous leader encounters are too petrified of his wrath to be recalcitrant. When a woman of all people shows audacity and reluctance to becoming another conquest, he begins the chase. In his alpha-male complex everything can be conquered, and so Minerva will be conquered. When she pushes back, he pulls her closer. When she wins his gamble and goes to law school, he takes away her license to practice. He is determined to demonstrate his power over her until she finally relents, and then he will have won. It is the thrill of the chase that keeps him engrossed, and he will hunt her till the death.
 * What interested General Rafael Trujillo into inviting and spending time with Minerva? C.C & M.H.**

Women respected Trujillo because of the sheltered way they were raised. From the beginning of their lives, these women were raised in communities where men were considered the dominant authority. Women acted as no more than mothers and caretakers, always meek in the presence of men. Over time they became accustomed to living life in the shadow of male authority, and they grew too comfortable. They learned to trust in the power of men and admire their bravery and courage. Because Trujillo is such a strong male figure, although many times in a negative way, they see his power and admire it. Because of their sheltered upbringing, they know no other way than to be in awe of the strength he has over others. Trujillo is a wealthy, powerful man representing economic stability, and the women see him as the ideal domestic partner. In a relationship, besides seeking love, women in this time seek someone who will give them protection economically and physically. In addition to the customary qualities women seek in a partnership; these women need a man that they can fully depend on. Instead of being raised as individuals, women were conditioned to be in the shadow of man. To exist and prosper as women, they were taught they needed to partner with a man and trust in him. Because of the way they were raised and conditioned throughout their lives, women during this time believe it is essential to be with a man of power and strength, two qualities prevalent in the character Trujillo.
 * If Trujillo treated the women so badly, why did some still respect him? C.C & M.H**.

Gambling and risk intertwine with the Mirabal sisters’ intellect to develop their ultimate fates. It is the intellectually driven risks that the sisters choose to take each day that will shape their lives. On page 114, Minerva stands up to El Jefe, even though she knows her family is already in hot water for leaving his party. She wants to go to law school. However, she will not take the risk of gambling with the dice lightly, she instead uses her intellect and observation in order to get her way. By doing so, she plans on outsmarting her opponent. The author includes this scene to show that Minerva is a true leader, always a couple steps ahead of her opponent. The scene also shows that she, along with her sisters, is well matched by El Jefe, who smartly uses the same trick dice to get his way. Alvarez further suggests that risks and gambling do not always consist of sheer luck, emphasizing that one can shape their own fate. Had Minerva not observed her uncle’s characteristics to know he would have given El Jefe trick dice, she would not have known to choose this set, and perhaps she would not have taken this risk at all. Minerva wants to shape her own fate, and will not let this be restricted by the randomness life throws at her. Minerva along with her sisters is observant and educated allowing the group to remain at an advantage to the government which is trying to suppress them. Alvarez uses Minerva’s character to show how the Mirabal sister’s as a group used their own unique knowledge in order to shape not only their own lives, but ultimately revolutionary ideas in the country. The sister’s knew how to hide from the government. The girls lead their lives not following a crowd, but leading it through their intellect both from an educational and social standpoint. The sister’s good sense is what limited chance and randomness dictating their lives. Randomness still has a small hold on the girls, as with any individuals lives, and will ultimately lead to their deaths, however being a step ahead of the crowd will give them a grasp on the world and it’s happenings that other individuals do not have.
 * Can the ideas of chance/randomness and choices be intertwined to ultimately lead to the fate of the Mirabal sisters? KE/SM**

Minerva seems to have such a strong influence over her sisters that result in change in their opinions about both political and social corruption in their lives. Minerva, although the second oldest, seems to be a role model for her other sisters. She is very intelligent, and has a strong belief in right vs. wrong. In addition, she is high-minded and interested in politics. Her interest in law definitely affects how her sister’s feel about her. Minerva also has a strong view about educating women. She, herself, is very determined to get her law degree. Because of this experience at the university, she “makes a mental note” that her half-sisters need to be educated and enrolled in school. How she lives out her everyday life seems to inspire her sisters to have the same opinions about the political and social corruption during that time period//**. **//
 * Why does Minerva have such a strong influence over her sisters, as she is able to change their opinions about both the political and social corruption occurring during their lives? **


 * What is the signifigance of the butterflies? MF & JMF**
 * Butterflies do not start out as butterflies. They begin as a chrysalis confined in a cocoon and undergo a transformation known as metamorphosis. Similar to the butterflies’ stages of life, the Mirabal sisters, specifically Minerva, endure huge transformations throughout the novel. The Mirabal sisters, along with many of the Dominican people under Trujillo’s regime, begin their lives restrained and unaware of what is happening in the government. Because everyone is obliged to revere El Jefe in order to avoid imprisonment or even death, the people become afraid of displeasing him and remain oblivious to his oppressiveness. While trapped under his rule, the Mirabal sisters, particularly Minerva, go to boarding school and begin to recognize the malice of the dictator they have been worshiping. **
 * Upon this realization, Minerva begins to undergo a sudden transformation and breaks free from her confinement. She befriends and falls in love with other radicals who join to secretly fight for freedom and justice from this controlling government. Several events take place that demonstrate her breakthrough: the slapping of Trujillo at the Discovery Day Dance, her attendance at law school, the achievement of her master’s degree, and her collaboration with Manolo and the other freedom fighters. Not only is her alias “Butterfly”, but she embodies the qualities of a butterfly as well. She maintains a delicate, pretty exterior, while taking bold steps towards freedom, by breaking free from restriction and migrating great lengths to achieve what she wants. Minerva, followed by her sisters, spreads her wings and flutters into the unknown, despite the consequences, advocating a better future. **

By conveying the male characters in a negative way, Julia Alvarez is especially emphasizing the greatness of women. In this way, the males of the story are foil characters for the women, especially the Mirabal sisters. Because this is a patriarchal society, the men have all the power and women are deemed inferior. We see that with this power, does not come greatness. In Trujillo’s case, he is a powerful ruler, but a terrible person who treats women poorly. Also, the men in this society are known for their adultery. This adultery is a sign of lack of self-control. If these men cannot control themselves, how could they control a whole society? In comparison to the men, the women of the play are exalted. The Mirabal sisters are revolutionary, smart, and kind. Even though they were brought up in a patriarchal society of adultery and corruption, they have the passion and drive to lead moral lives and change their world. The message that Alvarez is trying to convey to her readers is that women have the self control, morality, and passion needed to lead a society and that they should not be considered inferior. By having equal rights for women, they would also have equal opportunities. They could help to improve their society and remove all immortality and corruption. It is also interesting to note that Papa is shown in a negative way. Due to the fact that he abandoned his own family, and committed adultery, it was hard for the Mirabal family to love him in the same way again. Minerva feels much more powerful than her father, when they argue outside after Minerva meets her half-sisters. She believes that both she and her mother were both more powerful and stronger than Papa. “He was the weakest one of all.” (89) It was he who needed the love most of all. In her novel In the Time of the Butterflies, Julia Alvarez frequently portrays the male as dying or malicious antagonists. In doing so, Alvarez is emphasizing how the patriarchal society is shifting. When the Mirabel father dies, his wife and four daughters are left without a male head. In addition to mourning her father’s death, Maria Teresa demonstrates her struggle with the men around her who complicate her life by stating “I had men. I really hate them” (118). However beyond the males like Raul and Berto who have a trivial impact on Maria Theresa’s life, both she and her sisters live under a tyrannical and evil male- the dictator Trujillo. The novel is based on the true historical man who rose to power in the Dominican Republic and oppressed the population there. Not only do the sisters see their classmate Lina taken away to live with Trujillo, but they must pretend to love the predator who is leading their country. The fakeness and secrecy shows that the Mirabel sisters do not want to pretend to support the “illustrious and well-loved Jefe” (120), but society has not given them a place to stand out and try to change the random circumstances of their struggle. Maria Theresa makes a bold move and joins the resistance that her sister and her husband are a member of. She courageously proclaims, “My true identity now is Mariposa (#2)” (143). Maria Theresa recognizes that the only way she can begin to combat the negative male force is by her participation in the resistance. The membership of not only female but male characters is a shift away from the time when men and woman worked alone in their different spheres. Despite the fact that Maria Theresa’s move was small, she recognizes that times are changing. Like Antigone, Maria Theresa sees that the little acts may seem trivial but can have a positive impact. It is Maria Theresa’s education and collaboration with her sister’s that was especially pertinent in aiding their collective struggle. Alvarez suggests that collaboration among the male and female will be necessary to overthrow the males that she has emphasized in a negative way but woman will need to be educated and work together. Alvarez suggests that the future of the Dominican Republic lies in the people who seek to change the injustice they are faced with.
 * Notice how most of the male characters are shown in a negative way. What is the author trying to signify? JMF & MF **

Spanish is the language of the Dominican Republic, thus the language that the characters would have been speaking to each other. However because of the major popularity of this novel that means that many readers do not speak Spanish. The significance of Alvarez using the language can be that it adds a layer of culture and heritage to the story. This story is about a political revolution, but because it is based on historical events the use the of the language makes it very clear where the novel is set.
 * What is the significance of Alvarez's use of Spanish words in the text? MF.SC.NZ**

The usage of the image of a butterfly signifying women and freedom is a very fitting description of the women. Majorly, this idea of freedom, breaking free, and maturing with time connects the butterfly to the Mirabel sisters. They all started as grounded and sheltered persons who travelled little from their comfortable home. Metaphorically, this represents the butterfly as a caterpillar for they are given no chance to break the norms or choices. This can also suggest that they were in the cocoon, as they have no freedom or opportunity. In time, after a period of suffering and pressure that all the women go through, they learn and emerge from the cocoon as butterflies. Each woman has an individual “breaking free” moment, an epiphany of some sort that gives her the strength to undergo a dramatic transformation. Minerva, for example, changed into a butterfly upon meeting Lio for he taught her to think outside of the box, challenge the norm, and fight for what she believes in. This influenced her choices to go to the university, keep determination for her degree, marry a much younger man, and ultimately have a huge impact on the underground freedom movement. Maria Teresa’s break free moment was when she selflessly agreed to enter herself into the underground movement. She was proud of herself and finally found something to be passionate about which led her to her marriage as well as her freedom from self-pity and on a road to political and social freedom. Patria’s break through moment was when she decided to get married rather than become a nun. She was breaking all of the expectations of the people around her who assumed her entry to the convent, even going against the nuns. This choice reveals her true passion for love and her ability to think and act for herself and go against assumptions. ADD DEDE. Furthermore, their connection to the butterflies is displayed as butterflies travel in packs emphasizing the Mirabel’s focus and devotion to family.
 * How are butterflies related to the women and freedom? SS and NPH**

Butterflies are creatures of change, metamorphosis. They start out as caterpillars, form a chrysalis, and then break free of this, and unfold their wings as a butterfly. Symbolically, the cocoon is a restriction of freedom; however it takes this restriction to transform from a caterpillar to a butterfly. In relation to women, perhaps a hard experience or a period of suffering or oppression is their chrysalis, and without this time it is impossible to become a butterfly. In a metaphorical sense, perhaps the moment of breaking free from this cocoon is the anagnorisis, or epiphany, and not necessarily the end of suffering. Within Lepidoptera family of insects, moths, and butterflies, are attracted to, and try to fly to the light. Within the butterflies, or Mirabel sisters, are attracted to the light of freedom; both from the oppression of Trujillo, as well as the restrictions of gender roles. Ironically and tragically for the Mirabel sisters, after butterflies break free of a chrysalis, they have a short life period. Similarly with three out of the four Mirabel sisters, they die at the hands of Trujillo shortly after their transformation into independent, strong, women is complete. In the Time of the Butterflies, the Mirabel sisters had a pleasant and uninterrupted childhood. This would be the stage of being a caterpillar. As they face the oppression, suffering, and restriction of Trujillo’s rule, they enter a metaphorical chrysalis. However, within this chrysalis, the sisters face violence and danger, but these hardships are necessary, for without them, they would not have developed into independent women. Butterflies, being a part of the In the Time of the Butterflies,
 * How are butterflies related to the women and freedom? SS and NPH**

** All three are completely misjudged. Alright, that seems pretty simple. But the important thing is that they are all misunderstood in the same way, and all three are suppressed by a rigid definition of power. The simplest way to explain this is with the butterfly. A butterfly appears pure and simple. It can be netted and caged, and it possesses no strength to break free. But a butterfly is much cleverer than a cage. It has evolved brvc ** fight for them. However, she is also a weaver. She is able to take and weave together the wills of her sisters and community, to include and enthuse everyone in the fight. It is her job to "gather up the broken threads and tie them together" (267). Able to inspire the broken people of her country to come together and fight for their rights.

Minerva, the Roman name for Athena, or the goddess of weaving, represents the image of intertwining separate parts into a singular whole. Another image of weaving is the Three Fates, who spin the fate of life and make the decision, once prophesized by Minerva, to cut the thread of life at any point in time. Minerva, along with all of the Mirabel sisters, earns a living by weaving, which can also be found in ancient literature when women keep certain patterns, society, and domestic life together. Weaving is essentially plotting, the process of putting the threads of a story together. Also in ancient literature, women are associated with spiders, who weave, think, and plot, but are devious and trap their peers like spiders. Such is the case with epics such as the //Odyssey//, in which Penelope continually weaves a shroud at night until her husband’s return, while never quite finishing the piece. Minerva, meaning weaver, is the best weaver of the four sisters. Thus, women in ancient literature were therefore depicted as spiders, who both weave and plot, yet are devious and trap their surrounding beings like insects. This is also seen in the Garden of Eden, in which a woman, Eve, who sets up a trap and lures men into temptation, like a scorpion. Ultimately, the Mirabel sisters are seen as capable of holding themselves together as both dress-makers and plotters, who weave their thoughts together on a continual basis. The symbol of a spider is significant because it displays how Minerva and all women work in traditional life; as weavers, who boast the most admirable skill in the domestic sphere yet can also be crafty in weaving designs.

Minerva feels trapped by the two ideals of this society. “The Virgin Mary is the female ideal” (Roles of Women in the Dominican Republic handout) in Dominican society. Minerva’s outward beauty is what attracts Trujillo, who is revered (if out of nothing but fear) as an ideal leader for this country. Minerva, however, does not have the qualities of docility and subservience that is seen as desirable in this society. In a situation in which she is expected to be submissive, Minerva is instead strong and rebellious (as is seen in the way she slaps Trujillo at the dance, p. 100). Minerva hates both the objectification of women in her society (which is a large part of what Trujillo represents) along with the reasons for their objectification (what ensues when a woman is seen to meet the requirements for what is considered ideal- something that Minerva does). This demonstrates her “otherness” in Dominican society, as she outwardly is the ideal for any man in her country (as is represented by Trujillo’s attraction to her- he is the figurehead representing the entire country, so, in a literary sense, his desire reflects the desire of the entire society over which he reigns). Trujillo’s “probing eyes” (90) are a symbol of judgment and suspicion in the way he “appraises” Minerva’s beauty, and also as he is beginning to suspect Minerva of taking part in treasonous activities. The Virgin’s pretty face is also a symbol of judgment- Minerva is no longer “pure” because of her involvement in treasonous activities. Two characters that seem to be on such opposite sides of this societal spectrum (one representing religion and the other government) are condemning Minerva for the same activity with their stares. This shows the inescapability of her situation- the fact that Minerva cannot exist within the confines of this society and its expectations because of the conflict that arises between her personality and her outward appearance. The phrase “probing eyes” (90) conveys a sense of penetration of Minerva’s character. She feels as if both the Virgin and Trujillo’s eyes are penetrating her weak façade of obedience and subservience, revealing her personal agenda and beliefs that like beneath her patriotic, obedient exterior. The Virgin is female- her position as a female ideal for Dominicans highlights just how impossible it is for Minerva to fit with the expectations for women in this society. From the secular position of Trujillo and his government, Minerva is seen as a problematic individual because of her involvement with Communists and other rebellious forces. Also, form a male perspective, Minerva’s intolerance of infidelity as well as her insistence on standing up for herself and for her rights as a human being is seen as completely undesirable. Here, the issue of the contradiction between Minerva’s outward appearance (a beautiful, young girl) and her inward agenda and persona (one of a strong, rebellious woman) is something that creates an immense number of problems for her in all aspects of society- in her home, her religion, her school, and in her government. She hates these two stares, coming from completely different sources because she feels that they can see past her disguise, and because these stares burden her with the expectations of society that she cannot meet.
 * Why does Minerva hate the "Virgin's pretty face" as well as "El Jefe's probing eyes? (90) CR FM**

** How are butterflies related to the women and freedom? (MP) **
The usage of the image of a butterfly signifying women and freedom is a very fitting description of the women. Majorly, this idea of freedom, breaking free, and maturing with time connects the butterfly to the Mirabel sisters. They all started as grounded and sheltered persons who travelled little from their comfortable home. Metaphorically, this represents the butterfly as a caterpillar for they are given no chance to break the norms or choices. This can also suggest that they were in the cocoon, as they have no freedom or opportunity. In time, after a period of suffering and pressure that all the women go through, they learn and emerge from the cocoon as butterflies. Each woman has an individual “breaking free” moment, an epiphany of some sort that gives her the strength to undergo a dramatic transformation. Minerva, for example, changed into a butterfly upon meeting Lio for he taught her to think outside of the box, challenge the norm, and fight for what she believes in. This influenced her choices to go to the university, keep determination for her degree, marry a much younger man, and ultimately have a huge impact on the underground freedom movement. Maria Teresa’s break free moment was when she selflessly agreed to enter herself into the underground movement. She was proud of herself and finally found something to be passionate about which led her to her marriage as well as her freedom from self-pity and on a road to political and social freedom. Patria’s break through moment was when she decided to get married rather than become a nun. She was breaking all of the expectations of the people around her who assumed her entry to the convent, even going against the nuns. This choice reveals her true passion for love and her ability to think and act for herself and go against assumptions. ADD DEDE. Furthermore, their connection to the butterflies is displayed as butterflies travel in packs emphasizing the Mirabel’s focus and devotion to family.

==== **A butterfly is an insect, part of the Lepidoptera phylum, who go through metamorphosis—a time when they transform from their confined chrysalis into free and flying adults. Similar to this process in butterflies, the women in ** //In the Time of the Butterflies // **<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">transform into free individuals when they are able to break free from their very limited households. Butterflies, and the woman, must go through a time of suffering, as a cocoon. Although this time is quite unpleasurable and often times even unbearable, it is necessary for their life as an adult. Once butterflies have been through this struggle for long enough, they gain the strength needed to break free and become free individuals. Similarly, these Dominican girls must obtain a struggle for a long time, but eventually they arrive at an anagnorisis. They realize that they are stronger than the current life they are living, in order to enable themselves to break free and empower themselves. ** ==== ==== **<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Lepidoptera is an order of insects, whose behavioral instincts include the ability to evade predators. Similar to this species of insects, the sisters were also able to escape predators and think of themselves as strong, free, and independent women with their own thoughts. Starting from her influence with Sinita, Minerva does not feel the pressure to follow the thoughts of many around her, but instead follows her only beliefs. Minerva is just one example of the sisters who break free from their “cocoon,” and begin maturing and thinking for themselves. ** ====

<span style="font-family: Calibri,Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span class="Strong__Char" style="font-family: Arial;">**Notice how most of the male characters are shown in a negative way. What is the author trying to signify? JMF & MF** <span style="font-family: Calibri,Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span class="Strong__Char">**<span class="Strong__Char" style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">//In the Time of the Butterflies,// Julia Alvarez frequently portrays the male as dying or malicious antagonists. In doing so, Alvarez is emphasizing how the patriarchal society is shifting. When the Mirabel father dies, his wife and four daughters are left without a male head. In addition to mourning her father’s death, Maria Teresa demonstrates her struggle with the men around her who complicate her life by stating “I had men. I really hate them” (118). However beyond the males like Raul and Berto who have a trivial impact on Maria Theresa’s life, both she and her sisters live under a tyrannical and evil male- the dictator Trujillo. The novel is based on the true historical man who rose to power in the Dominican Republic and oppressed the population there. Not only do the sisters see their classmate Lina taken away to live with Trujillo, but they must pretend to love the predator who is leading their country. The fakeness and secrecy shows that the Mirabel sisters do not want to pretend to support the “illustrious and well-loved Jefe” (120), but society has not given them a place to stand out and try to change the random circumstances of their struggle. Maria Theresa makes a bold move and joins the resistance that her sister and her husband are a member of. She courageously proclaims, “My true identity now is Mariposa (#2)” (143). Maria Theresa recognizes that the only way she can begin to combat the negative male force is by her participation in the resistance. The membership of not only female but male characters is a shift away from the time when men and woman worked alone in their different spheres. Despite the fact that Maria Theresa’s move was small, she recognizes that times are changing. Like <span class="Strong__Char" style="font-weight: normal;">//Antigone//, Maria Theresa sees that the little acts may seem trivial but can have a positive impact. It is Maria Theresa’s education and collaboration with her sister’s that was especially pertinent in aiding their collective struggle. Alvarez suggests that collaboration among the male and female will be necessary to overthrow the males that she has emphasized in a negative way but woman will need to be educated and work together. Alvarez suggests that the future of the Dominican Republic lies in the people who seek to change the injustice they are faced with. **

What are the specific recurring symbols that Alvarez associates with the Mirabel sisters? How are they significant? MF. SC. NZ


 * <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;">Alvarez presents her readers with many images that are constantly associated with the Mirabal sisters. Two such symbols are blossoms and butterflies. These sisters are described as “blossoms”, conveying a sense of delicacy and helplessness regarding these three women. The **“fallen blossoms… tumbling in the wind of the coming storm” (47) present the reader with an idea of these sisters’ lack of control over the sometimes fateful events that have shaped their lives. However, this is an initial assumption made about these sisters, not who they become. In the beginning of this novel, these women are still forming their opinions and identities, making them susceptible to the ideas and influences of everyone around them. In this way, they //are// delicate blossoms. However, throughout their experiences with revolutionary ideas and movements, they are plucked from their comfortable home life and are no longer so delicate or naïve. Another symbol of delicacy associated with the Mirabal sisters is the important theme of butterflies in this novel. Butterflies are seen as a symbol of feminine delicacy, and are seen as weak, helpless insects. However, butterflies have much more in common with the Mirabal sisters than simply assumed weakness. Before they can fly, butterflies must form themselves inside a cocoon until they are strong enough to break free and fly. Once they are a fully grown butterfly, these insects are known to evade enemies or predators, something that is not expected of such delicate, unassuming creatures. Similarly, the Mirabal’s understated power and influence is a large part of what made them so successful. Because others did not consider them to be a threat, the Mirabal sisters, otherwise known as //las mariposas,// were able to make a great impact on the revolutionary movement in their country.


 * Is the use of secrecy and deception a positive or negative force in the novel? EB&MK **


 * Secrecy and deception have many roles in the novel, more complex than either positive or negative. Papa’s secrecy and affair were negative influences on the Mirabal sisters. Although the girls learned the valuable lesson that things are not always as they appear, the girls felt hurt that their father had deceived them and felt inadequate. Fortunately, this feeling of inadequacy did not affect the girls feeling empowered to bring down El Jefe’s oppressive and deceptive regime, something they perhaps subliminally compared to a macrocosm of their father’s lying, and secrets. The secrecy of El Jefe’s oppressive regime was also a negative force. Because of their secrecy many individuals were murdered and hurt both physically and emotionally. Even the Mirabal sisters’ murder would be attempted to be covered with a lie. It was the deceptive and oppressive rule of the government that compelled the Mirabal sister’s to action, however had there not been such a rule to begin with, such action would not have been necessary at all. Finally, the secrecy of the revolution was a positive force. Because the Mirabal sisters and their fellow revolutionaries kept their plans a secret, and spoke in code words, they were able to keep their plans alive without the government noticing for quite some time. This time allowed them to further develop plans, organize themselves as a group, and eventually lead the country to freedom and democracy. Alvarez uses the various examples of secrecy and deception to show that they have both a positive and negative impact on the Mirabal sisters as well as their successes in eventually creating a democratic country. **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">** Why are the Dominican women afraid to stand up for themselves and leave their husbands when they are unfaithful? ** <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;">I believe that the reason for the meekness of Dominican women in //In the Time of the// Butterflies, is the heavy tradition weighing down upon their shoulders. Their mothers, grandmothers, etc, before them were all submissive wives. A history of patriarchal society is far more difficult to challenge than a single dominative man. The Dominican women have been taught their whole lives to cook, clean and sow for their husbands. They do not always understand that there are other choices. Here in the US, very few women would put up with those men. This is because American women have been exposed to other ways of life, fair ways of life. Their sisters in Hispaniola are not surrounded by independent women living their own lives. Unfaithfulness is a massive crime in the US. “Once a cheater, always a cheater” is a popular saying. A man being unfaithful to his wife is extremely just cause for wife-initiated divorce. In the Dominican Republic, the women just accept their husband’s priorities. In //In the Time of the Butterflies//, Mama is very aware of Papa’s infidelity. She turns a blind eye to this breaking of marital vows. But, perhaps meekness is not the only reason for the submission of Dominican women. I felt that Mama was seeking to keep her family whole more than anything. She does not want her daughters suffering through parental fighting, she would rather just pretend that everything is okay. Many would look down upon this, but Mama did what she thought was right. She valued her family more than anything else, even her own pride, and that must be respected. <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;">' <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;">These women have established a home with their husbands. They have spent time meticulousely choosing color patterns and picking out furniture. The went to sleep at night dreaming about the life they would build with this man in this home. They thought about the names of their children, and imagined the the pitter patter of their children feet on the floors of their home. They see pencil markings on the wall marking momumental growths in height and mudpies in the backyard. To expect a woman to leave her house, this home which she has endlessly worked for and dreamed about, is unfair especailly considereing that the woman did nothing wrong. Her husband is at fault, and yet she must suffer the consequences. In the Hispanic culture, women were viewed as being subordinate to men, thus it is unlikely that a woman would be able to achieve any justice should she decide to file for divorce (assuming that a woman can file for divorce). A woman alone in this culture has very little opportunites, for example, one of the girls' cellmates was a single woman, and the only job should could get was working as a maid. Because tis woman was all alone and no one would care should she come into harms way, she was multiply raped then her baby was taken away from her.Having little opportunities menas that the woman must remain with the man should she wish to maintain social status, her way of living, and maybe even contact with her children.


 * How was the personality of each sister shaped to be so distinct from one another?**

Dede is considered a butterfly because she is as much a part of the revolution and the development of events as her sisters are. She has the same, if not more, responsibility than the other butterflies even though not always at the same time. Her revolution is continuing the story of the butterflies and staying strong for all of their families in a time of disaster and loss. Though she does not see herself as a part of her sisters throughout the novel, by the end she realizes that she is when she says, "I'm thinking something is missing now. And I count them all twice before I realize- It's me, Dede, it's me, the one who survived to tell the story." (321) Dede now sees herself as a part of her family, not just a sister to the butterflies, and she knows why she needed to live. Minerva, Mate and Patria are all very important revolutionaries, but being killed does not solve their country's problem. Dede continues the work that her sisters started by sharing not only the story of the facts of what happened the day that her sisters were killed, but she shares the experiences and hope that she has and though is often left out in newspapers talking about the butterflies that died, she is considered the butterfly that lived.
 * Is Dede considered a butterfly?**

“Usually, if she works it right – a lemonade with lemons from the tree Patria planted, a quick tour of the house the girls grew up in- usually they leave, satisfied, without asking the prickly questions that have left Dedé lost in her memories for weeks at a time, searching for the answer. Why, they inevitably ask in one form or another, why are you the one who survived?” (5) Dedé’s hesitation to address her past is an effect of her feelings of guilt of being the only sister who was not murdered. It is difficult enough to live with all of the “what if’s” and “maybe’s”, as well as to cope with all of her added responsibilities after the death of her sisters, without having to answer to total strangers. Dedé’s way of living with this struggle is to internalize her pain and try to return to a relatively “normal” life. The constant questions, visits and attention from the public make it increasingly difficult for Dedé to move on with her life. Yes, it is important to keep the memories of her sisters alive, but to become consumed in their fate would be unhealthy. There are a numerous reasons why Dedé would turn away from public attention, but most importantly it is to preserve what little bit of a “normal” life left that she can lead.
 * Why is Dede reluctant to address her past, in answering questions from the press and in her own personal life? (KB, TR, JR, LW)**


 * How does the Mirabal's sisters father's unfaithfulness, secrecy and other weakness set up the role for other males in the story and the oppressive government?**

Because readers were originally introduced to Enrique Mirabal as an unfaithful, flawed man, any other man who played a role in the novel was immediately labeled as one with many imperfections. By initiating the roles of men as negative, it leads us to believe in the future more men will not have positive parts in the novel. Julia Alvarez may have purposely done this so that she could emphasize the role that the Mirabal sisters and other women have. Once it was established that there were men who had negative positions, it paved the way for women to prove the opposite and stand out because of their courageous acts. This is what happens in the Mirabal family. While Enrique Mirabal lies to his family and is unfaithful to his marriage with his wife, sisters Patria, Minerva, Dedé, and Maria-Teresa step outside the boundaries of their usual roles as women. They act out of courage and boldness to stand up for what they believe in, creating a new standard for the power of women and degrading the statuses of men.


 * What caused each of the sisters to join the revolution, even if they originally did not want to? PB**

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 15px;">Within the span of a few decades, the Mirabal sisters break from their domestic circle and become revolutionary heroes. A variety of factors influence the sisters individually and collectively. All three sisters benefited from a strong foundation of education. When Minerva reflects on the incredibly opportunity to receive an education, she remarks that “seems like it would have taken the same angel who announced to Mary that she was pregnant with God and got her to be glad about it” (11). When Minerva meets Sinita whose family was killed by Trujillo, she is introduced to the negative side of the revolution. Minerva’s knowledge of the unmerited injustice further propels her to join the revolutionary movement once she befriends Lio. “Lio presented a very real opportunity fight against the regime. I think, after him, Minerva was never the same” (66). In addition, Maria Theresa’s relationship with her older sister influences her decision to join the revolution. Like the change a butterfly undergoes, Maria Theresa did not initially see the necessity of a revolution. As a naïve child entering schooling, she commented “I feel so lucky that we have him (Trujillo) for a president” (37). After hearing Minerva’s negative comments about the government and covering up for her sister’s sneaking out, Maria Theresa finally confronts Minerva about the reason for her resistance. Once Maria Theresa sees that Minerva is not trying to be irrational but rather “wanted me to grow up in a free country” she begins a transformation and eventually becomes “Mariposa (#2) (143)”. Lastly, Patria joins the resistance but is delayed because she deals with a personal struggle. Initially, Patria believes she can only establish a personal connection with God by residing in a convent. After getting married, a variety of conflicts change Patria’s perspective on how she can maintain her faith. While mourning her dead child, forty-nine men and boys are martyred in the mountains. Patria knows what a loss her son was to her family and begins to understand more the struggles others are going through. She remarks, “Yes, once my son was born, I’d be out there recruiting every //campesino// in Ojo de Agua, Conuco, and Salcedo to the army of our Lord (164)”. Patria comes to see that she can still establish a personal connection with God not as a nun, but in helping fight with her sisters in a cause they all believe in. Minerva, Maria Theresa and Patria did not begin as the extraordinary butterflies they became. Alvarez suggests that it was the influence of their education, the people, and the events around them that propelled the Mariposas to combat the injustice they were no longer going to sit back and watch happen.


 * What is the significance of the change of structure of the authors in the third part? MD and AJ **

A mistake often made in trying to eradicate sexism is that the solution is to make men and women the same. This is not possible. Men and women are different, and built to be so. The two extremes are that these differences should be viewed as barriers, or that they should be removed completely. Instead, the differences should be acknowledged as guidelines, not barriers, with room for interpretation and those outside the gender norms. Men are built to be stronger and bigger (not prejudice, just a biological fact). In the earliest days of humanity, when life revolved around where the next meal would be coming from, these traits were highly valued, and gave males the responsibility of supporting the females and children. This is where the misconception that men are naturally more powerful sprouted. The prejudices portrayed in //In the Time of the Butterflies// are direct descendants of this earlier dynamic. Males are in the place of power and dominance, but the physical assets that originally gave them this power are no longer necessary for the jobs they are doing. They don’t have to go out and chase down prey for food anymore. Women are just as capable of being lawyers, doctors, artists, or accountants. It is now merely ingrained prejudice that has us convinced that they are anything to the contrary.
 * What are the factors that give either gender more influence or power? Why are women considered inferior to men, if motherhood is so revered? CG NH KR **


 * Why does Minerva feel as though she owes something to her father's secret children if she openly resents his relationship with their mother and really has no obligation to help them? AK, MP **

** Although Minerva has no obligation to help the secret children of her father because of his act of adultery, she does not hold a grudge against them, and instead promises to enroll them in school. Minerva’s compassion and graciousness is portrayed here, as she offers to provide education for the four daughters of her father’s secret mistress. Rather than resenting these girls and allowing them to serve as a reminder of her father’s infidelity, Minerva views the situation from a wide perspective, seeing that educating these women in this era of oppression and male superiority will be more productive in the long run than repudiating them because of her father’s actions. Her fighting spirit, radical ideas, and hatred of Trujillo triumph over her anger towards her unfaithful father. Even though her father is extremely disloyal towards her and her family, Minerva is able to see past the obstacles hindering her journey towards freedom from the regime. She knows that what is really important is educating the Dominican women and granting them the opportunity to stand up and fight for their rights as humans, and specifically as women. **


 * Minerva is blatantly upset with the tension between her Mama and Papa. Papa is living a double life, devoting some of his time to Minerva and her sisters, and the remaining time to his secret family. This infuriates Minerva, as she sees her own family to be broken and wishes for her parents to reconnect. Minerva and her sisters are very different from Margarita and her sisters living in Papa’s hidden world. The girls in this secret family are deprived of a proper education, a stable household, and most importantly, a constant father figure. Even though the position as father seems rightfully accredited to the three Mirabal sisters, they are as well being deprived of their Papa to his secret family. This is where the two sets of sisters relate. It is because of this identification with Margarita and her sisters, that Minerva feels obligated to assist them and improve their quality of life. Minerva is determined to give Papa’s secret children an education like her and her sisters have received. Minerva also feels a duty to help the secret children as she says, “They’re my sisters, after all.” (91) This familial duty is very prevalent throughout the story. Minerva is determined to protect her relatives, even though they are derived from deceit and secrecy, as family is something constant that can never go away, no matter how it came to be. ||

====<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The Mirabal sisters seem surprisingly stable considering the political instability and the possibility of being killed by the government. This stability comes from their strong roots of cultural identity and familial love and comfort. The fact that the Mirabel sisters can rely on each other for guidance, support, love, and safety is a thing that not many other people had during their time period in the Dominican Republic. The sisters could trust each other when no one else could. This unique ability to confide in each other without worrying about being turned in for their talk of “treason”, they are given the necessary confidence and courage to do what they did and stand up to Trujillo. Through this, Alvarez suggests that family, or at least people one considers family, is necessary during times of adversity, for support. The sisters also positively influence each other to leave home, and pursue their dreams of being a lawyer, or getting an education. ====
 * In a time of political instability, how do the Mirabel sisters remain grounded? What does this suggest about the importance of religion and family in times of adversity? What influences women to try and escape their confinement? JR SH **


 * How does the social seclusion of the people of the Dominican Republic from the rest of the world promote ideas of communism at a time when the world viewed it as bad? SS and NPH **


 * Are the political patterns of revolution communism that repeating themselves in the DR stemed from their seclusion to the outside media. SS and NPH **


 * What insight can the reader gain into Patria's character through her view of Turjillo in accompany with GOd? TD, LT **


 * Could it be said that the "revolution" had always been in Minerva, or was it outside sources/other people that influenced her to act out against the regime? KE/SM **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Initially, Minerva is strongly influenced by Lio in the text. He provides an example of an individual who is fearless and grounded in their morals and beliefs. By being in Lio’s presence, Minerva develops a greater sense of bravery in herself. He opens her eyes to ideas she has never been exposed to before. However, what truly sparks Minerva’s desire to revolutionize the nation is the unfairness and corruption she witnesses throughout society. She is genuinely moved by the backwardness of her nation and the dictatorship of Lio. It can be said that the “revolution” has always been in Minerva, yet it is the influence of Lio and what she witnesses that allow the revolution to grow inside her, until she finally bursts and begins her revolutionary movement.

With all of the amazing things that the sisters did, it is often difficult to remember that yes, they were revolutionaries who did extraordinary things, but they were also ordinary people. Alvarez uses the diary entries to remind readers that underneath the exterior of every person, no matter what position they hold in society or history, there is someone who has similar thoughts and emotions as "regular people" do. It is important to remember this while reading //In the Time of the Butterflies//, as readers can gain more of a sense of empowerment from the sisters' story knowing that they, too, had humble beginnings, went to school and went through the general experience of growing up that all people do today. As readers learn more and more about the incredibly brave things that the Mirabal sisters did, it becomes increasingly necessary for Alvarez to include these passages in the form of diary entries, not solely to give readers a better picture of the interior emotions/feelings of each sister, but to encourage readers to be like the sisters and pursue opportunities to make change.
 * What is the significance of the structure and constant pattern that Julia Alvarez chooses to display the diary entries of the four sisters? TR **

Trujillo’s nature is oppressive and he consistently conveys a sense of power through his cunning dictatorship. Initially, the sisters admire and praise him because that is essentially what they are expected and taught to do from their parents. Trujillo brainwashes many of his people into viewing him as some God-like figure who is to be obeyed. As a result, various citizens who do not know any better, abide by his rules and do not question his actions. In reality, the majority of the citizens greatly fear him and what he can do to them if they in any way disobey him. However, once the sisters are exposed to more of reality, in particular revolutionists like Lío, they see that there is a whole other world. Once Lío points of many of Trujillo’s nasty qualities, their eyes are opened to the truth and cruelty of his dictatorship. Minerva is exposed to the reality sooner than her sisters because of her friend, Sinita, whose family is personally victimized by him. It takes the examples of others who speak out against the government, like Lío and Sinita, for the butterflies to do the same and formulate their own opinions. Therefore, once the sisters become more informed of politics and what El Jefe is actually doing to society, their opinions of him strongly change.
 * Why do the opinions that the sisters have of Trujillo change over time? At one point, the sisters are admiring of him. What is appealing to the sisters about Trujillo? DH **


 * Why are the Dominican women afraid to stand up for themselves and leave their husbands when they are unfaithful? TR **

The Dominican women of this time period were afraid to stand up for against the inequalities because they had been brainwashed to believe that they were indeed inferior to men. Growing up in an atmosphere of domestic abuse, women actually thought that they were inferior to men. They were told from a young age that women and men have separate roles, and men are the rulers of the home. Also, these homes were full of domestic abuse. By disobeying the husbands and standing up for themselves, the Dominican women would suffer greatly at the hands of their “masters.” This was their truth, so they had almost no reason to go against this. Because these societies are very removed from other civilizations, it is hard for new ideas to form. Also, the Dominican societies are strong based on family. Families always live together and rarely travel far from each other. If a Dominican woman were to stand up for herself and leave her husband, she would have nowhere to run to. Also because these societies were based greatly on families, the women would not want to risk the lives of their children, siblings, and parents if they leaved the home of their husbands. The Dominican women may not always have the strength to stand up for themselves, but they have the strength to keep living in the atmosphere of physical abuse and inequality The Dominican women are most likely afraid to stand up for themselves as to not cause more problems or lose the fleeting sense of stability. As the revolution is occurring the outside world is chaotic and the domestic realm, even if broken, has less corruptness and danger. Though the women such as Mama may be crushed, disappointed, and betrayed, they may still prefer living in a somewhat broken home over a completely unstable and probably separated home. Furthermore, despite their attempts, the Mirabel sisters have been taught the value of love and faith, therefore making it hard to even think of denying their love for their husbands even considering their actions. Also, they could not even think about divorce really since they are so strong in faith and trust that, in time God will help them work it out, as Patria suggests to Dede. In addition, in this society the women were seen as inferior and basically living at the expense of the husband. Though women like Dede, attempt to counter this by standing up for themselves, it is a very difficult choice because without the men, the women would hardly have any income, shelter, lifestyle, stability etc. In addition, the women lacked many rights and <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;">The Dominican Republic during the 1960s was a corrupt environment with limited freedoms and almost zero rights for women. Women are viewed as a pet or toy for their husbands. Standing up for their rights or defending themselves against the superior role of men is pointless and often disregarded. Women are expected to be passive, or neutral to the events occurring in the political world of men. Without a husband, Dominican women have absolutely not rights or benefits in the political and economic world. The Mirabal sisters and other women in the book are able to become associated with politics and economics through the men they are connected with, not independently. If a woman was to leave their husband, they would be left on their own, without economic stability and partial rights as a citizen. Unlike the United States, the Dominican Republic does not have any laws which protect women’s rights in the case of a divorce or legal separation. Therefore, a woman who has left their spouse will most often be out on their own to support their children with limited jobs opportunities. A woman in the Dominican Republic has a greater chance of remaining happy and stable, staying with an unfaithful husband, than out on the their own with limited protections. It is logistically a better decision. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;"> **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Throughout the book In the Time of Butterflies, women are displayed as headstrong and are not willing to back down. What is the reason that Julia Alvarez display women as progressive and outgoing, in a society that shows extreme demeaning attitudes towards them. ** <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Initially, Minerva is predicted to be a lawyer because of her headstrong personality and unwillingness to back down. As the story begins to progress, other female characters such as Maria Teresa, Sinita, and Hilda begin to show their strong, persistent, and outgoing personalities. In the Dominican Republic women are viewed as inferior to men. The four sisters are sent to a school that is sheltered from this norm of society and educated in a similar fashion as men. The women in this school are involved in the politics occurring in the country. They are outgoing and argumentative. Due to their single sex education, these women are empowered to stick up for themselves and gain self confidence. Their personalities are not altered by exterior judgments. Because the girls who attend Imclauda Concepcion are sheltered from the judgments of the outside world, they are able to deviate from the normal expectations of a young woman of their age and stature.


 * How did the sisters’ actions differ in accordance to their priorities in life? ex: Minerva holding nothing back in the revolution and placing it above her husband. Patria’s actions being affected by God. Maria-Theresa’s greatest value being family, wants her children safe more than anything else. MS/HG **


 * What factors contribute to the Mirabals awakening...How do they move from the personal to the political...What are the events, factors, people that contribute to their development of moral and social awareness that leads to activism? **