Figurative+Language,+Symbols,+Imagery

**Death and Decay** "dead branches" (3) "fallen blossom" (5) "their blossoms tumbling in the wind of the coming storm" (47)

** Nature **

 In the text //In// //the Time of the Butterflies,// Julia Alvarez uses the imagery of nature to connect the four sisters to their land and to their home. In particular, Julia’s use of tree imagery enables the reader to find a sense of shelter and comfort within the chaos of the revolution taking place. The anacahuita tree first seen on page four is a symbol for home and the personal world. Time and time again, Alvarez uses the tree as a marker or sense of direction for the residents in the area as well as for any outsiders. Like all trees, the anacahuita tree has roots that extend deep into the earth; in the novel, the roots of the anacahuita tree symbolize the grounding of the sisters in their homeland as well as in the revolution against Trujillo. In connection with grounding, Alvarez opens a chapter on page 148 with a reference to a parable found in Luke. Through the character of Patria, Alvarez introduces the idea of foundation and strength. Patria, the eldest of the Mirabel sisters, decides to settle down early in life and build her house on the sturdy foundation of rock. Unlike Patria, her sister Minerva decides to build her house on sand (figuratively of course!) and go along for the adventure. From the beginning of the novel, it is clear that Minerva is certainly the most courageous of the sisters, openly welcome to the ideas of the revolution. Like a butterfly, Minerva is quick to transform herself from an innocent school girl to a brave liberator and ultimately allow her delicate wings to soar towards the sky. Minerva sought freedom from the confined //jar// of the Trujillo and ultimately satisfied her desire by joining the revolution. As butterflies are commonly drawn towards blossoming flowers, Minerva was drawn towards the blooming revolution that had begun to take place all around her. Minerva acts as a catalyst to the revolution and helps to pollinate the tree blossoms by spreading her desire for freedom to those nearest to her. Through this imagery of nature and trees, Alvarez highlights the importance of the sisters’ desire to reach for the sky and seek freedom from the reign of Trujillo, none of this would be possible however if it weren’t for their strong roots in the sturdy foundation of their home and their family.

**Loss** "my lost child" (53)

**Life** When Minerva says, "I kept my hand on my stomach, concentrating on what was alive,"(163) it makes everyone focus on life. The garden- cultivate it and let it grow, but also must be kept wild Anacahuita tree- rooted in the ground and remains there; teh one constant in the sisters' ever-changing lives

**Captivity** "captive bird's wings" (44)

**Rain** (84, 100, 102, 117) "a drizzle that builds to a steady downpour" (115) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">"The day is rainy" (119) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">"It's been raining since dawn" (133) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Rain symbolizes cleansing, a new beginning. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">(115): the drizzle symbolizes the beginnings of the revolution, starting from a small, domestic place and spreading rapidly throughout the country, becoming a downpour of disobedience to the regime, trying to cleanse the Dominican Republic of its cruelties and form a new Tomorrow. Alvarez also used the image of rain to illustrate the sisters becoming revolutionaries that were extremely devoted to their cause. She also uses rain imagery to convey ideas of sadness and melancholy. As a group, the sisters were strong, while separate they were not as powerful. In the early stages of their mission, all four of them were not united. But, as time passed, they became a cohesive unit, working together towards a cause. Through the transformation of merely bad weather into a full storm (downpour), Alvarez is suggesting that a united front creates the most change (rain washing the entire country clean, ready for a fresh start).

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">**Trees** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">dead branches (3) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">"great, big tree" (4) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">The anacahuita tree symbolizes hope, strength, perseverance. It is a big, tall, beautiful tree that stays rooted in the ground year round, year after year. No matter what rough weather or old age may do to it, the anacahuita tree remainds right near the Mirabal home.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Trees symbolize the importance of family (family tree- importance mentioned in handout from class), and the wide range of supporters that the sisters had. Healthy trees grow from strong roots and are continuously growing new branches and stretching outwards. They live for a very long time in most cases, like the sisters' legacy.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">**Anacahuita Tree (Mexican olive tree)** (4, 8, 116, 198, 321) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">The anacahhuita tree blossoms continuously every year, is very beautiful and is currently very difficult to find. Its blossoms attract butterflies and are draught and frost resistant. It is a hardy tree. The blossoms attracct butterflies. This tree embodies the spirit of the late Mirabal sisters and reflects the theme of the importance of family. In the novel. The tree marks the boundary between the personal and the outside world, a "portal" between personal and political and social spheres outside. It also represents social awareness. The novel comes full circle as it begins mentioning the tree that blossoms by the Mirabel home and concludes with Dede reflecting on the tree. Her family has undergone such strife but the tree and memory of Dede's lost sisters lives on.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">**Butterflies** (Title) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Butterflies are known to be a symbol of freedom. However, unlike bees that sting, and mosquitos that bite (both of which can fly as well and therefore can also be perceived as representing freedom), butterflies are pretty, delicate, weak, and considered harmless. Who would feel threatened by a butterfly? In the case of Trujillo, by calling the Miribal sisters 'butterflies', Alverez suggests that El Jefe feels the same way. Why would he be genuinely threatened by a woman (or women) at first? In that way the imagery of butterflies suggests not only something about freedom, but also about gender roles. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Butterflies also spend a long time in safe, protective cocoons, before they break free and become independent.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">**Butterfly orchid** (5) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">What is the significance of the butterfly orchid?

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">**The Little Boat** (95) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">What is the significance of the little boat?

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">The boat is symbolic of the journey that the girls are about to embark on. When Alvarez first arrives to ask Dede about the girls, she states that according to legend, the girls envolvement first starts at this part when Minerva slaps Trujillo. In order to get the boat for her sister, Minerva leaves behind her purse. This is symbolic of the fact that in order to particiapte in the revolution, Minerva must leave behind her personal concerns. She needs to get rid of selfishness and think of others. By participating in the revolution, Minerva acts not for herself, but to improve the lives of others whether it be friends, family, or strangers. Minerva is doing what she feels is right not because it benefits her personally, but because it is the right thing to do.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">**Photos** (6) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Photos represent a personal history, a way of reserving history, memories, and keeping the past alive. It is interesting to note however that there are no pictures of Dede.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">**Cage** (11, 13) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">A cage represents entrapment, confinement and limitation. Similar to Norah's life in // The Doll's House. //

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">**Trujillo’s Driveway** (93) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Trujillo’s driveway represents separation, removal and isolation.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">**Dede’s Yard** (179) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Dede’s yard symbolizes chaos & order, surface and appearances. On the surface of her yard it is flat and cultivated but underneath it is full of life.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">**Diary Entries** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">The sisters’ diary entries represent personal freedom, expression and personal development & growth.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">**Mary** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">What is the significance of Mary? --> To give but another example of an empowered woman? Mary agreed to be the mother of God, even though it meant her certain death when her betrothed, Joseph, found out. However through Joseph's goodness and faith she was spared. However by Jewish law, Mary should have been stoned. It is the same general idea that applies to the sisters, although they were not spared, as very little goodness existed. The women accept the burden of leading a revolution (they may have felt that it was a call from God, or just were affected by society), which ultimately leads to them giving up their lives for their cause. Mary is a powerful symbol of having faith in one's ability to cope/endure in difficult times and doing what one knows is right even when it is tough to admit so.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">**Bomb** (144) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">The bomb symbolizes destruction, power, revolution, change, chaos and violence.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">**Nets** (14 and 16) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Nets represent shelter and protection. At the same time, though, they can symbolize confinement. Butterflies may be kept in a netted area before they hatch into adult life. However, once they break free from the net, or their initial confinement, they are able to be free in the world. It is a contrasting life inside and outside of the nets, because of the immense difference in freedom once escaping the net.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">**Jeep** (85) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">The jeep symbolizes empowerment and danger.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">**Meaning of Names** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Minerva: intellect, goddess of war and wisdom <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Patria: feminine noun meaning "fatherland" in Latin <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Maria Teresa: (political figure) Archduchess of Austria and Queen of Hungary and Bohemia brought unity to the Hapsburg monarchy and was considered one of its most capable rulers <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Dede: broken hearted, sorrowful; pleasure, delight; divine

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">** La Virgencita ** (55) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">Even amidst their struggles, the Mirabel sisters still maintained their strong faith that the Virgencita would provide. The Mirabal sister's mother initially instituted such a strong sense of faith in her daughters. Although her keeping of Christian values seemed exaggerated at times when her children were young, they eventually established a more personal connection with Mary. The Mirabal sisters are able to maintain faith in times of political instability knowing that the Virgencita would be there to guide them.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">Displays a means of reflection as well as the importance of recording and leaving a mark on society. It also explicitly displays the transformation of Mate's character. Following her depictions, they start with a picture of shoes and a bathing suit expressing her childish innocence and ordinary interest, next to a house reflecting upon her interest in domestic life and possibly her beginning to think about the future as this was Minerva's first house, then a picture of a bomb depicting her decision to become a revolutionary and her loss of innocence but instead gaining passion, and lastly her jail cell. The jail cell reflects her feeling of confinement and the final chapter to her story which was the sisters dying because they were trapped by Trujillo and his men. Yet she was able to be released from jail reflecting that though after her struggle, there came freedom. This expresses how despite her death happened when she was ambushed and trapped, the result would ultimately lead to a greater freedom: her freedom in heaven as well as the freedom of her country.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">Mate's Diary **

The mountain road symbolizes uncertainty (a road full of curves- never know what is around the corner), as well as the danger of the sisters' cause. Throughout their work for the resistance against Trujillo, the Mirabal's traveled along a perilous route. The road symbolizes the risks that the sisters were willing to take and the danger that they experienced. In addition, the mountain road symbolizes the rugged past and need for change and improvement. Ultimately, the three sisters are travelling on this unsafe road and attempting to pave their way to democracy when they are murdered, which is symbolic of their dangerous journey to revolutionize their nation and the selfless risks they take.
 * Mountain Road **