English with Mrs. Cotton



World LiteratureIn the Time of the Butterflies by Julia AlvarezReading GuideIn this novel, each of the four Mirabal sisters tells the story of her youth, her education, her love life, and her opposition to Rafael Trujillo. The novel is divided into three sections and an epilogue. In each section, each sister tells part of her life story. They have unique voices and perspectives which contribute toa complex, heartbreaking story of growing up under a cruel dictatorship, gaining an awareness of the need for revolution, and taking brave steps to create a more promising future.As you read, consider the following topics. These will form the basis of much of our discussion in class. As always, please bring your own questions as well.Part IThese chapters focus on the childhood and adolescence of the Mirabal sisters. Alvarez spends time developing her main characters here, so pay attention to who they are and how they develop. Family life, schooling, and political awakening are some of the most important topics in this section.Chapter One: DedeDescribe Dede’s contemporary life in terms of her lifestyle, obligations, and profession.How does Dede feel about her interviewer? Why? What is the question Dede dreads most?How does Dede characterize her sisters for the interviewer?Although Alvarez writes the novel in English, she sprinkles Spanish words and expressions through her writing. What could her purpose be for doing this?When Dede remembers her sisters in their youth, she refers to the time as “before the future begins.” What might she be defining as “the future” and why?What is the political climate of the Dominican Republic? How do you know?Characterize the four sisters based on what you have read in the first chapter.Consider Dede’s “good” memory. What do you notice about Papa’s predictions and Dede’s reaction?Chapter Two: MinervaDescribe the disagreement between the parents over the daughters’ education. What impression does this give you of their marriage?What are Minerva’s thoughts about the rabbits in their pens? How does Minerva describe her country? What does that image signify about the nation?Characterize Minerva based on the way she treats Sinita.Why are Sinita’s father and uncles killed?Describe how Sinita’s brother dies. What does that show about the dictatorship?As Minerva listens to Sinita’s story, she narrates that she feels sick to her stomach. Why would hearing this story make her feel ill?The morning after Minerva has heard Sinita’s story, she realizes she is physiologically changed with the beginning of menstruation. How could this be symbolic?What happens to Lina Lovaton? How do the sisters react?Describe what happens with Minerva’s play.By the conclusion of this chapter, how has Minerva changed?Chapter Three: Maria TeresaWhy does Maria Teresa decide to start keeping a diary?The first several pages of Maria Teresa’s diary entries do very little to advance the plot of the novel, but give several details that are important to her characterization. Based on what you have read, characterize her in the following ways: her age, relationships with immediate family members, relationships with others, her concerns at this stage in her life. Use examples from the text to support your points.What does Maria Teresa discover about her sister that makes her so upset?What are some details in Maria Teresa’s narration that reveal the power of the Trujillo regime?Who is Hilda and why doesn’t she like the church? What happens with her?What happens to Patria’s baby?At the end of the chapter, Maria Teresa reflects that her soul has “gotten deeper: since she started keeping her book.” How has she changed?How could the final events in this chapter represent a loss of innocence for Mate? If you were to make a prediction, do you think she will continue to draw the things she drew in this chapter, or continue to worry about the same sorts of things? Why or why not?Chapter Four: PatriaAt the beginning of the chapter, Patria discusses her early childhood. What are some examples of herself she gives, and what do they reveal about her?What career is she encouraged to pursue?Patria has decided on her future plans when she narrates, “At last, my spirit was descending into flesh, and there was more, not less, of me to praise God” (Alvarez 49). What does that say about her vision of her future?Characterize Patria’s relationship with Pedro. When do they meet? What draws them to each other? In your opinion, is this a good relationship?Why does Patria begin crying during one argument with Minerva?Why does Patria lose her faith?What does she see momentarily concerning the picture of the Good Shepherd and the picture of El Jefe? How might this be symbolic?How does Patria infer the reason that her mother comes on the pilgrimage?How is Patria’s faith reborn on her pilgrimage? How does the Virgencita answer Patria’s call?Part IIIn these chapters, the girls will begin to take part in activities in opposition to Rafael Trujillo. They will also discover something unpleasant and shocking about their father. This will lead them to question many of the things they held sacred as young girls. A new character, Virgilio Morales, will open their eyes further. Note that in Spanish, Lio, the name Virgilio goes by, means a mess, a mix-up, a complication, or a jam. Pay attention to how each character grows in political awareness over the course of this section, and also note the role of the Catholic Church.Chapter Five: DedeWhy would Dede be so impatient with one of the servants who talked about seeing the sisters’ spirits?It is obvious that both Minerva and Dede are attracted to Virgilito. Who wins his attention and how?When Jaimito and Lio argue, what is “at the quick of their differences” (Alvarez 72)?Why is it hard for Dede to believe Lio is an enemy of the state?What are some of the new laws that have been passed under the regime?What does Jaimito’s explanation of the new laws show about him?Before Lio goes into hiding, what becomes of his letter to Minerva? Based on this, how do you characterize Dede?Chapter Six: MinervaWhy is Minerva unhappy living at home?What are some significant details Minerva notices about the family she discovers? What do those details reveal?Why does Minerva’s father attribute her anger as deriving from her interception of her letters? What does this reveal about him and/or their relationship?Why would the family’s invitation insist that Minerva be present?What are some of the changes Minerva notices in both her parents?How do you interpret Minerva’s wish to meet her half sisters? What does that reveal about her?After meeting the other family, what is it that Minerva decides she wants?How does Minerva feel about Mate’s paper fan?How would you describe Manuel de Moya? What might be Trujillo’s motives for paying Minerva such special attention?What is a likely cause of Minerva’s migraines?What are some ways Minerva demonstrates an impulsive nature in this chapter?What happens with the weather right after the slap? How might this be symbolic?Why is Patria so eager to get her family to leave the party?What object does Minerva realize she has lost, and why is she concerned about it?What does Minerva want to do for her half sisters? Why is this important to her?Explain what Minerva means when she tells her mother, “It’s all the same fight, Mama” (Alvarez 108). What is the situation occurring at this point in the novel, and what do her actions reveal about her philosophy of rebellion?What is the proposition Minerva faces in order to help release her father? What is her answer to the offer?What is the result of the dice contest? What might this foreshadow?Describe Minerva’s father’s appearance and manner upon his release from prison. What has he endured?Chapter Seven: Maria TeresaWhy does Maria Teresa feel that she hates men?What is the reason Mrs. Mirabal writes the letter to inform the president of her husband’s death?Explain an internal conflict Maria Teresa is facing.What is Minerva’s special secret for her little sister? What does Maria Teresa think of the secret?What does Maria Teresa reveal about Dede and Jaimito’s business ventures?What is Maria Teresa’s impression of Manolo?What discovery has the family made about a yard boy?What is Maria Teresa’s first impression of her college studies?Why would Patria find it so surprising that Minerva marries?What is the latest horror story of the regime, and what makes this one scarier than some of the others?What is Minerva’s surprising disappointment on graduation day? What is the motivation behind such a surprise? How does she react?What are some of the reasons it is particularly hard for Maria Teresa to see Minerva crying?Describe Manolo and Minerva’s home and relationship.Describe the deliveryman Maria Teresa meets, her opinion of him, and what he brings to the house.To you, does it seem that Maria Teresa’s political transformation is sudden or gradual? Why?Aside from her political opinions, explain how Maria Teresa’s interests have changed.How does Maria Teresa see her relationship with Leandro as different from Minerva’s relationship with Manolo? What contrast does this indicate between the two sisters?Chapter Eight: PatriaPedrito = Peter = rock. Explain how his name might be symbolic.How does Patria distinguish herself from her sisters early in the chapter?What does she name her son?Patria narrates that she is always afraid for her sisters. Why does she come to be especially afraid for her son?How does she feel about her son and the widow?Why does Patria figure the seminary is the best place for her son?Why does Minerva ask Patria to keep her child? How does this affect your impression of her?How is Patria and Pedro’s land of use to Minerva, Maria Teresa, and their husbands?Why is Patria so excited to hear of the anticipated invasion in the coming June?How does Minerva react to Patria’s mentioning the Church?Throughout this chapter, Patria talks about gradually finding courage. Ironically, it is one terrifying event that brings her from fear of consequences to courage in action. Explain what that event is and how it inspires her to join the rebellion.By the end of the chapter, how is Patria’s house transformed? In what ways is this retreat a moment of profound conversion for her?How is Patria like Moses here?Part IIIIn this section, readers learn more about the Mirabals’ plight with Trujillo. The Mariposas’ last days are recorded and Dede grows a great deal as a character.Chapter Nine: DedeNote that the interviewer’s character fades and Dede’s strengthens. Why would Alvarez do this?When Dede’s narration flashes back to the past, it describes her isolating herself from others. Why may she be avoiding contact with people she cares about?Describe Jaimito’s influence on Dede.Why does Dede begin crying during her conversation with Patria?What do Dede’s sisters invite her to do?Why does Dede’s response to their request make her feel ashamed?What is the decision Dede makes about her marriage?What is the significance of her nostalgia for Lio?Why does she abandon her plan to talk to Padre de Jesus?On her second honeymoon, Dede observes the stars. How do they symbolize her marriage?What has happened with Leandro, Pedro, and Nelson?When she communicates with Minerva (through the phone and her note), what does Dede learn has happened to her sister?What happens to Maria Teresa?How do the events affect Jaimito and Dede’s marriage?By the end of the chapter, how does Dede join the plight of her sisters, even if she does not directly become a militant in the revolution?Dede helps Patria, always the sister of faith, to pray here. In what ways is Dede becoming a source of strength for her sisters?Chapter Ten: PatriaWhat biblical metaphors do you notice here?How does Mama’s new portrait of El Jefe serve as an illustration of the split between Church and state?Why does Patria begin praying to Trujillo?In Patria’s first interview with Captain Pena, he makes sexually degrading comments at her expense. This is a feature we’ve seen numerous times in observing the regime. For you, what effect does this produce in the characterization of the dictatorship and its members? What surprising message does Patria hear at mass?Is the SIM’s attack on the Church having the intended effect?What does she offer in her prayers for the release of her son?Who delivers a special note to Patria and what does it say?On approximately page 210, Patria narrates that God was working on her pride. How has her pride been challenged in this part of the novel?Why is Patria worried about Dede?How is the government infiltrating the Mirabal home?How is Patria’s neighbor a special strength to the family?In the meeting with Captain Pena, what does Patria realize about him? How is it she no longer feels victimized by him?In a future meeting, what is Pena’s news for her?Patria offers a sympathetic view of Jaimito. What is it?Patria narrates at the end of the chapter that she hears God calling her name; for what purpose is He calling her?Chapter Eleven: Maria TeresaWhy does Maria Teresa feel the need to write in her journal during her imprisonment? What are the conditions of the cell?In what ways does Alvarez examine women’s issues through Mate’s prison diary?How does Minerva make herself a leader even among prisoners? What does Maria Teresa think of her older sister in this role?What does Maria Teresa learn about the cellmates she would have once thought to be beneath her? How could this affect her commitment to the revolution?Why would pages be torn out of Maria Teresa’s diary?Why do Minerva and Maria Teresa stay in prison when they have an opportunity to leave?What are some positive reflections that Maria Teresa has while she is in prison?How does Maria Teresa become a messenger for the prison conditions?By the end of the chapter, we find out what has happened to Maria Teresa in prison. While she eventually shares her story with other prisoners, she finds it nearly impossible to tell Minerva. Why would telling her own sister be harder than telling others?How can we tell that Mate is now developing a mind of her own and that she no longer defers to Minerva?Chapter Twelve: MinervaHow has jail time changed Minerva? How are her leadership skills evidenced when she is in prison?Why does Dede disapprove of her sisters visiting their husbands in prison?What is the great news the wives want to share with their husbands in prison?As Trujillo loses power, how does he change in his leadership? How is this bad for the prisoners?What is the bad news Minerva receives from Dr. Vinas?When Minerva and Dede are stopped on their trip, why does Dede tell the guards that she is Minerva? Explain why you would expect her to do this, or why you found this surprising.What does Trujillo identify as the two greatest problems he faces?Minerva obviously cannot describe her own death. How does Alvarez get around that problem with this chapter?Is the spider web imagery associated with Pena effective? Explain.What are some noteworthy details of the sisters’ last trip to and from the prison that holds their husbands?Evaluate Minerva’s mood as they leave the little restaurant/gas pump to return home. Does it seem strange, ironic, comforting, foreshadowing, etc. to you? Explain.EpilogueIn this section, Dede writes in the first person for the first time. She recalls how she received news of her sisters’ deaths. Information from partial witnesses allowed her to recreate their last living moments. She updates readers on other characters and reflects on her position as oracle.To the best Dede can tell, how were her sisters killed?What is the reason Dede gives for withdrawing from interest in the news during the revolution in the country after the regime? What does she mean by this?Dede listens to painful stories about her sisters’ deaths and how others hear the news. After she narrates about a conversation she has with Manolo, she explains the story needs to be told “so that it could be human, so that we could begin to forgive it” (Alvarez 309). Why does she feel she has to forgive this?What becomes of the husbands of the Mirabal sisters?To an extent, Dede is an anomaly among her sisters during the regime. In 1994, how it is that she’s out of place among the younger members of her family as well?By the novel’s conclusion, how had Dede found a place for her self within the revolution?What is Dede’s true test of strength? How does she fare?What symbolism do you notice in the novel’s final scene? ................
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