In the Time of the Butterflies Essay

Words: 1227
Pages: 5
Open Document
The “Revered” Dictator “Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” (Andre Gide) In the novel, In the Time of the Butterflies, written by Julia Alvarez, four sisters are led through a risk infested journey in which they must overcome hindrances with hollow consequences. This historical fiction novel takes us through a rollercoaster of events, incorporating everything from the partialities towards women, to life below the oppressive administration of the Dominican Republic’s dictator, Rafael Trujillo. The events painted by the four sisters give us some insight as to the positives and negatives of life in the Dominican Republic. As the novel progresses, we see the diversity in relation to the …show more content…
However, here, the “weakness” within everyone is clear and in reality, is what contributes greatly to Trujillo’s success. Through acts like these, Alvarez is discommending the citizens for being weak and unable to fight back. In addition to the weakness possessed by everyone, Trujillo also does some revolting things. We can see the emphasis on his ruthless acts here, “Suddenly, the dark fills with spies who are paid to hear things and report them down at security.” (Alvarez 10). Trujillo’s abuse of power is very explicit as in using spies; he is basically taking away the freedom to speak freely. When one thinks of spies, they link it to secret, sneaky, and overall, lack of privacy. Clearly the use of spies cannot be granted by just anyone, and in doing so, Trujillo gives himself a dictator image. Ultimately, the very basis of the word “weakness” is shown by Alvarez in that she parallels this word with her reproving feelings towards the general population as well as she directly connects it to the oppressive regime under Trujillo. Furthermore, Trujillo’s oppressive leadership unmistakably leads to anger within everyone. As stated earlier, even his guards dwindle on the idea of being disloyal. This unsecured loyalty adds to the many flaws in Trujillo’s system. Alvarez picks out the phrase, “rotten system” in order to properly classify Trujillo’s regime as dishonest and immoral.
Show More

Related Documents: In the Time of the Butterflies Essay

In the time of the butterfly Essay

Feminism within In the Time of the Butterflies and Mayor of Casterbridge In the books “In the Time of the Butterflies” and “Mayor of Casterbridge” one can find many open messages of feminism. Both authors wrote the books with the women on the receiving end of oppression. In both books the women fought against the oppression with some dying but the end result being a better life for the survivors. “In the Time of the Butterflies” the four main characters end up dying except for Dede who lives to…

Words 420 - Pages 2

In The Time Of The Butterflies Essay

“That made me sit up and dry up my tears. The butterflies were not about to give up! We had suffered a setback but we had not been beaten” (page 269). This was said by Minerva, one of the Mirabal sisters. This quote proves that many people struggled with society because of the government. Which caused many conflicts in the Dominican Republic during during the 1940s to 1960s. Throughout the book In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez, it showed many struggles that most Dominicans faced under…

Words 752 - Pages 4

In The Time Of The Butterflies Essay

In the class English composition II, we have been reading “In the Time of the Butterflies” by Julia Alvarez. We as a class have spoken about our personal connections to the book. I have been in the home of the sister (Casa Museo Hermanas Mirabal). I had the opportunity to see how the home of the Mirabal sisters was, it is an amazing and beautiful place, you can see their clothes, and some of their belonging. When I went to the museum I saw a lot of important things, but what call my attention the…

Words 428 - Pages 2

In The Time Of The Butterflies Essay

In the Time of the Butterflies, by Julia Alvarez is a book set in the Dominican Republic from 1935-1960 and flashes to 1994 from time to time. It features the points of view of the four Mirabal sisters, who were all very active in the underground resistance force at this time. After being born in New York City, Alvarez lived in the reign of Trujillo in the DR for ten years, and then moved back to New York, where she learned of her relation to the famous Mirabal sisters. The combination of her experience…

Words 1037 - Pages 5

In the Time of the Butterflies Patria Essay

Her Everlasting Faith Death is a word associated with loss, grief and sadness, but in the novel In the Time of the Butterflies we see death in a whole new perspective; martyrdom. Strong, independent, caring, honest, and having firm beliefs are all characteristics we see in a martyr especially in Patria. In the novel we explore the wonders of Julia Alvarez’s writing and get to witness Patria as a martyr and an individual who fought for the right of women against a dictator: Trujillo. As an individual…

Words 1510 - Pages 7

In The Time Of The Butterflies Symbolism Essay

for thirty-one years, had spies and informers that lead the people of the country to be distrusting. As a dictator, Trujillo was responsible for various undignified and unsophisticated accomplishments. The characters of the novel “In the Time of the Butterflies”, written by Julia Alvarez, somehow find a way to overcome their fears of their leader and find those who are courageous enough to try and make a change. The women in this novel’s choice is not to die, yet decide that a revolution is essential…

Words 494 - Pages 2

Essay about In the Time of Butterflies

they continue to meet. One day, Jaimito, Minerva, and Dede gather at the sisters’ house. Dede asks Minerva whether she is going to go along with Lio who is exile. Minerva goes out to find Lio, and Jaimito, and Dede begins to have their own romantic time. They go to her father’s car and kiss. Jaimito finally proposes to Dede and hears a voice from the backseat. They find out that the voice comes from Lio who was hiding in the backseat. Lio asks Dede to deliver his letter to Minerva. Minerva comes back…

Words 1578 - Pages 7

In The Time Of The Butterflies Courage Essay

Courage can be defined as someone who has the ability to do something in the face of fear. In the novel In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez courage is a constant theme shown through all of the characters. But the one character who never backs down from a fight is Minerva Mirabal. Minerva grew up in a family that was privileged but that never stopped her from working hard. Minerva was the first in her family to go to university, then go on to law school. She used her knowledge from this…

Words 909 - Pages 4

Essay on Preparation for the FINAL EXAMThe first

part of the final exam will be to complete or proofread or choose the correct answer to sentences that will cover all the grammar we have covered this semester. The second part is to write an essay related to “Julia ‘Butterfly’ Hill.” Bring to the exam: A print dictionary A photocopy of “Julia ‘Butterfly’ Hill” Two different types of writing instruments (one color will be for proofreading) A highlighting pen (see explanation below) I will provide: Lined paper Although NO brainstorming notes…

Words 365 - Pages 2

File 2 Essay

organism that lives or dies, reproduces or fails to reproduce because of its characteristics. When more individuals with a particular trait survive then the overall population will change over time — it will be made up of more and more individuals with that successful characteristic. This change over time in the population is evolution. For example, let’s imagine that it is a dry year and food is scarce. There is a flock of birds. The birds in the flock that have the larger, sturdy beaks are the…

Words 1659 - Pages 7