In the Time of the Butterflies Themes

Marielle de Mondesert

SacrificeBeing the central theme of this novel, the Mirabal sisters sacrificed anything and

everything they had not only for the ones they loved but also for the many strangers who were suffering political injustice and violence just as they were.

Picture found: <http://jumpoffthebridge.com/2009/03/legendary-latinas-song-to-liberty.html>

Sacrifice (cont.)Minerva was the main figure of all the sisters who sacrificed the most time and effort of her personal life in the political regime of Trujillo.

Picture found: <http://www.el-bohio.com/mirabal/mirabal1.html>

Politica

l Con

trol

Picture from: <http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~eliswong/trujillo/eraintro.html>

Trujillo’s rule had people living in constant fear of the way they spoke and the way they lived. Having spies planted all throughout the country, if for any

reason Trujillo was to suspect a person or family of political disloyalty, those people would “disappear.”

LoyaltyThe Mirabal family

continuously shows strong loyalty and love to one

another, as they do not let their government tear

them apart. They fight for one another and truly

show the importance of family, devotion, and

forgiveness.

Pictures found: <http://www.vermontwoman.com/articles/1206/mirabal_sisters.shtml> <http://dangermousie.dreamwidth.org/197031.html>

IdentityIn order to keep

themselves safe, the Mirabla’s had to create a

fake identity of themselves. Even though

the sisters had new names and a new code of

language, they stayed true to their ideals and

desires of wanting a free nation.

Pictures found: <http://etblogdefelipeargole.blogspot.com/2011/03/where-to-get-married-in-mount-pleasant.html><http://www.users.muohio.edu/johnso58/mirabales.html>