illustration of a young woman's silhouetted head with a butterfly on it located within a cage

In the Time of the Butterflies

by Julia Alvarez

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In the Time of the Butterflies Questions on Minerva Mirabal

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In the Time of the Butterflies

In In the Time of the Butterflies, Minerva Mirabal is a dynamic character who evolves from a brash and headstrong young woman to someone who understands the complexities of life and ultimately...

8 educator answers

In the Time of the Butterflies

Minerva and Dede Mirabal, from In the Time of the Butterflies, share beauty and intelligence but differ significantly in personality and choices. Minerva is assertive and revolutionary, while Dede is...

4 educator answers

In the Time of the Butterflies

Two of the sisters are sent to jail in In the Time of the Butterflies: Minerva and Mate. Several members of their families are arrested as well, including Pedrito, Nelson, Manolo, and Leandro.

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In the Time of the Butterflies

In In the Time of the Butterflies, Enrique Mirabal dies in 1953. Patria, Minerva, and Mate Mirabal are assassinated in 1960. Dictator Rafael Trujillo is assassinated in 1961. Minerva's husband,...

2 educator answers

In the Time of the Butterflies

Quotes from Minerva can be found in her chapters in In the Time of the Butterflies. In Part I, Chapter 2, she reflects on the limitations placed on women, realizing her school is another "cage." In...

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In the Time of the Butterflies

In In the Time of the Butterflies, the main conflict in one chapter revolves around Minerva's interactions with Virgilio Morales, causing tension with her sister Dedé, who is also drawn to him. This...

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In the Time of the Butterflies

Minerva told Maria Teresa she wanted her to grow up in a free country, which surprised Maria Teresa and nearly triggered an asthma attack. When Maria Teresa questioned if their country was not...

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In the Time of the Butterflies

The metaphor of the loaded dice is in Chapter 6, when Minerva plays a game of chance with Trujillo, who uses dice from her uncle which are known to be "loaded".

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In the Time of the Butterflies

Hilda is a rebellious and outspoken revolutionary who befriends Minerva during her last year at Immaculada. Hilda's boldness and extreme political views influence Minerva, who is already inclined...

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In the Time of the Butterflies

Minerva slaps Trujillo because he gropes her while they are dancing.

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In the Time of the Butterflies

Minerva's strengths include her intelligence and determination, shown by her pursuit of a law degree despite opposition. She is passionately committed to the revolution, driven by the injustices she...

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In the Time of the Butterflies

The organization of In the Time of the Butterflies is similar to that of a Greek tragedy, featuring three parts that are connected and ultimately lead to the end. The novel opens with Minerva, who...

2 educator answers

In the Time of the Butterflies

Patria, Dede, and Mate are courageous in their own ways. Dede is the only surviving sister who tells her story to the interviewer. Paco Pérez is a young man whose family has suffered under the...

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In the Time of the Butterflies

Minerva was nicknamed "the butterfly" as a symbol of her transformation and resistance against the tyrannical rule of Rafael Trujillo in the Dominican Republic. Her sisters were called "Las...

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In the Time of the Butterflies

Minerva and Manolo's relationship changes as the novel progresses. In the beginning, they were very much in love, but due to a marriage which was under strain and because of the situation where...

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In the Time of the Butterflies

The sisters in "In the Time of the Butterflies" are central to the story, each representing different facets of resistance against the Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic. Their unique...

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In the Time of the Butterflies

Minerva's pride significantly influences her initial interactions with Trujillo, particularly at the Discovery Day Dance. Initially cautious, she gains confidence and boldly challenges Trujillo by...

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In the Time of the Butterflies

Minerva's reference to "got free" signifies her initial sense of liberation from her strict home life upon moving to boarding school. However, this newfound freedom transcends physical independence...

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