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Example Of Archetypal Criticism In In The Time Of The Butterflies

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An American poet once stated, “Great literature is simply language charged with meaning to the utmost possible degree” (Pound). Every piece of literature has an impactful underlying meaning and can be interpreted into universal symbols, motifs, and patterns. Archetypal Criticism is a theory based off common myths, images, and symbols in literature. The definition of an archetypal can be defined as a very typical example of a certain person or thing (Davidson). With that being said, readers can apply Archetypal Criticism to In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez. Alvarez uses common character types, like the hero and the villain, and also uses the symbol of butterflies in her novel.
One way Archetypal Criticism is reflected in the …show more content…

An example of this is relating the Mirabal sisters to butterflies. Regina M. Cutter Edwards, an Entomologist, states, “Butterflies are deep and powerful representations of life. [...] Around the world, people view the butterfly as representing endurance, change, hope, and life” (Edwards). The term “butterfly” was the sisters’ code name for the movement. The butterfly was a symbol for them, not only because that is what they were called, but also because they symbolized what it meant to be a butterfly. The Mirabal sisters changed from being little children following their parents, to individuals leading a revolution and having other people follow them. When Minerva was young, she stated, “I had thought it was caused by the bandages I had started tying around my chest so my breasts won't grow” (Alvarez 23). She put bandages around her breast so Trujillo wouldn’t take her to be one of his ladies. Minerva started out as a person that was fearful into a person that was fearless. Patria and Mate also have the code name Butterfly #1 and Butterfly #2. Mate states, “Then everyone was beating on the bars, calling out ¡Viva la Mariposa! Tears came to my eyes. Something big and powerful spread its wings inside me. Courage, I told myself. And this time, I felt it” (Alvarez 238). Mate changed into having courage and endurance as she grew up in Trujillo’s

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