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

The Mirabal sisters are called butterflies because they are part of an underground movement in which everything must have a code name to avoid being detected by the Trujillo dictatorship. The word...

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In the Time of the Butterflies

Key symbols in In the Time of the Butterflies include butterflies, representing transformation and freedom; the anacahuita tree, symbolizing resilience and strength; and the portraits of Trujillo,...

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In the Time of the Butterflies

Imagery in "In the Time of the Butterflies" serves to highlight themes of oppression, liberation, and the transient nature of life. The butterfly symbolizes the Mirabel sisters' beauty and short...

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In the Time of the Butterflies

Butterflies in the Dominican Republic, where the novel is set, are most abundant from April to November. This seasonal timing parallels the narrative arc of the Mirabal sisters, known as "the...

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In the Time of the Butterflies

In the novel, butterflies symbolize both the fragility and strength of the Mirabal sisters, who, despite their delicate appearance, exhibit remarkable resilience and courage. This metaphor aligns...

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