Sisters Take a Risk In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez

and that's also the beginning of finding out more about the assassination attempt right under the regime guards noses, especially Trujillo’s. This shows that Maria Tresa, even through her fear, she found that the simple habit she had could be used to help the people she truly cared about, rather than being completely fearful she found a way to be an amazing help and persevered. Another way Maria appeals to her

Sofia was sent to the Dominican Republic as a punishment for using marijuana, though she ended up getting into more trouble by spending time without a chaperone with her illegitimate cousin, Manuel.

Minerva is the most involved with the revolution. She makes rebellious friends and she wants

The Courage of the Mariposas Everyone thirsts to be fearless. In the American novel, In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez, the people of the Dominican Republic, afraid and suffering under the dictatorship of Trujillo, look to the Mirabal sisters as fearless. In truth, they were not, yet that makes their story all the more inspiring: they were human and afraid, though they stood up against the tyranny and their hardships regardless. They were able to do this because their courage came from love.

Minerva Mirabal is often seen as the most courageous of all of the sisters and she takes part in the Revolution owing to the influences of her younger sister and her husband. Minerva's courage certainly isn't an empty value because it sprouts

Sofia was sent to the Dominican Republic as a punishment for using marijuana, though she ended up getting into more trouble by spending time without a chaperone with her illegitimate cousin, Manuel.

Minerva with her revolutionary fever and contagious spirit seems unstoppable for a time in her fight against Trujillo’s regime. Despite warnings to watch out for her safety and well being, Minerva continued to push boundaries and dared to go where all other Dominicans feared to go. Patria was the religious, faithful sister, who showed her hidden boldness starting a Christian revolutionary group and joined with Minerva. Maria Theresa was the happiest, the most upbeat, Mirabal sister. In the beginning, she was only along for the ride, but as she continued to work towards the change for her country, she became more and more inspired and touched by her own goals. Lastly, Dede was always the most cautious and careful sister. She was one who remained uninvolved with her sisters’ revolution. Dede had warned the others that were danger and that should not go up to the secluded prison. She and although her sisters tried more than once to include her in their cause, she refused. –From Smith In The Time Of The Butterflies (http://www.blogger.com)

Shortly after Trujillo took office, the capital city of Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, was renamed Ciudad Trujillo because he helped rebuild the city after a hurricane wrecked the capital. Most of the provinces and streets were renamed after him or his family in honor of his deeds. In office, Trujillo’s control of the government was unchallenged. He took office in 1930-1938 and again in 1942-1954. Even when he stepped down from his post, he never lost control.

Instead after gaining freedom from her parents who discouraged her from attending the university, Minerva became a forerunner for the revolution, fighting for her freedom she had always craved, as well as to gain freedom for her people. When Trujillo refused to grant her license, she did not become discouraged. Instead, Minerva used that as a reason to begin actively working to gain freedom form Trujillo, both for herself and for all of the Dominican Republic. “She is the one most identified with the resistance against Trujillo because of her beauty, her public rebellions, her conspicuous intelligence, and her leadership in the underground movement. Alvarez exhibits these same attributes in her Minerva, especially her vehement, outspoken hatred of injustice in any form,” (Felty). Minerva fiercely fought the female stereotypes placed upon her by society, which ended with her attending law school. When she realized that she still was not truly free, without seeking anyone else’s opinions or approval, Minerva began her strident opposition to Trujillo’s totalitarianism.

In the book Alvarez informs us that this takes place during Trujillo 's reign over the Dominican Republic in the 1930’s to the 1960’s. Throughout history dictators have risen and fallen all across the world. Many have been seen as evil, and sometimes good to others, but no matter what a persons view tend to be there are some who even consider them god. Due to a dictators extensive powers and complete control over every aspect of a persons life this is what comes to be. Trujillo is just the same, at first his true motives were questioned and it wasn’t apparent to all what he really was. As the Mirabel sisters grow up it becomes clear that Trujillo is in control of more of their lives than it may seemed. Trujillo leads a complete authoritarian rule over the Dominican Republic with spies everywhere, this can suggest that he trying to assume the role of a terrible god, who is always watching and ready to punish. While all

revolutionist. Minerva said, " I want to go to the university." …"I've always wanted to

up for what was right even if it was against the dictator, Trujillo. Patria, Minerva, and

Not only Minerva but all of her sister are some of the most courageous girls amongst any

It would take a lot of nerve to even think about creating a revolution. Even after Minerva got out of jail, she said “The butterflies were not about to give up, we had suffered a set back but we had not been beaten,” this quote showed that Minerva would do whatever it takes to get the men out of prison, even if it is risking her life. Though it was not just the men she wanted to get, she wanted to get everyone’s right to have freedom. Minerva was tired of Trujillo making all the rules without anyone else’s opinion. She was at her limit of doing anything it would take. At this point she became fearless.

Soon she wanted to avenge her father and she earned herself a spot as one of the few known female Guerilla leaders and soon the Anti-Japanese army.