Member-only story
In the time of the butterflies
Las Mariposas. The Butterflies. The Mirabal sisters aks Las Hermanas Mirabal were known as thus. There were four Mirabal sisters — Patria, Minerva, Maria Teresa, and Dedé. Three of the sisters fought against the dictator of the Dominican Republic, Rafael Trujillo. For this reason, they were assassinated on 25th November 1960. Dedé was the only surviving sister. When the other sisters were gone, she took care of their kids, along with her mother.
This novel by Julia Alvarez is a fictionalized story of these four sisters from early childhood to their assassination. It has three parts, and each of the parts has four chapters. The four chapters are told in the first-person narrative of a different sister. We see different periods of turmoil through these sisters’ eyes. Each of the sisters has different personalities, but they contribute to the fight against the dictatorship in their unique ways.
The novel explores multiple themes. First and foremost, the central theme of the book is cruelty against women. There is no freedom in a dictatorship, and hence people live in constant fear. In the novel, the dictatorship also alludes to patriarchy. Sometimes it is the women who advise other women for tolerance. In addition to these themes, the book explores courage and religion too. How do people find courage when suppressed? What part does religion play in all fighting evil and also providing refuge? Finally, it is the survivor who carries guilt.
If you are looking to learn the history of a new country, this book is for you. This book is also recommended if you want to know the effect of patriarchy on women. After reading the book, you can question if things have changed twenty years after the novel was written.
