In The Time of The Butterflies
Nadya Harrison
Summary
In the Time of the Butterflies takes place during Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic in the 1900s, more specifically, when it was beginning to end. The novel tells the story of four sisters, wives, and mothers, three of who are killed after openly rejecting the dictatorship. The novel tells stories of courage, sisterhood, women empowerment, and terrifying events during a revolution. It tells the story of the sister's teenage years, how they became involved with the revolution, and their fear, living under a cruel dictator. The novel begins with the recollections of Dede, the only surviving sister, who feared abandoning her routine and joining the revolution. The novel includes the point of view of the other three sisters, telling the stories of their lives before and during the revolution.
Theme
Main Characters
Patria- Patria was the most religious of the sisters. She went through struggles, like multiple miscarriages, her husband being imprisoned, and her home being taken over by the government. Somehow, she still had hope.
Minerva- Minerva was the most radical of the four sisters, and she was the first to question the government. She always rebelled the most she could, and she convinced the other sisters to join the revolution.
Maria Teresa (Mate)- She is the youngest of the sisters, and is a materialistic, spoiled youngest child. She joined the revolution while living with Minerva, in order to feel worthy of her husband.
Trujillo- The main antagonist of the novel. He is the self appointed dictator of the Dominican Republic. He ordered obedience from everyone, and killed them if they didn't obey. He was a harsh, cruel ruler that violated his people in multiple ways (imprisonment without trial, torture, spies, rape, etc). He was the one that had the three sisters killed.