What I have really enjoyed so far about this book is the distinction between the main characters. I feel each represents an important factor in the time period of this book in the Dominican Republic. I feel these factors can each represent a butterfly, in essence all connecting to freedom.
There are four Mirabel sisters: Patria, the oldest, Minerva, Déde, and Mate, the youngest. Patria is the woman bearing all children, and ironically enough is the most religious one. At one point, she even considered the convent, until other passions took way that led her to her husband. Minerva is the rebellious one, the one who has yet to search for a man, but instead is more of a feminist and speaks out against the government and the Dominican Republic's dictator, Trujillo. Déde, the survivor of the group, is the one who lives to tell the story. She continues on with her life, marries her cousin, and has a family. Mate, the one who keeps a diary, is very naive and innocent. She idolizes her sister Minerva. So far ,I have noticed that each character seems to symbolize different things, such as emotions. Patria represents faith, something important to have during this time period where people were rebelling against the president, and if not following his order, could be killed. By having a faith in God, it instills hopes the country can gain some independence and get better. For example, on page 59, Alvarez writes in Patria's chapter, "Here Patria Mercedes, I'm here, all around you. I've already more than appeared." This shows that by keeping a strong faith in the Lord, He can help to give signs and guid a person through life, regardless of diffifculties. She is strong for continuing it, despite all of the horrible scenarios occurring in her country.
Minerva definitely represents strength. She has the gall to stick up for what she believes in. For example, she flat out tells Trujillo she wants to go to the university at a gala they both appear at. It makes me nervous for her, because it was uncommon for a woman to speak out against a man then.
For Déde, she represents stability. In the unknown deaths so far of the three sisters, Déde lived to tell the tale. She still continues on with her neices, and her husband, something after a tragedy is hard to do. On page 65, Alvarez explains Déde as "the only one left to manage the terrible, beautiful present." While it is had for her to do so, I feel that is an admirable and wonderful trait, something difficult to do. She is strong enough to do so.This reminds me of myself. Mate represents innocence and fear. While the reader may wonder, how does this represent freedom? Mate is strong in the sense that she is able to openly voice her thoughts and opinions, even in something as small as a diary! She writes about her fears for her country, her family, and other matters in her life. How can one be so brave when there could be a high risk for one finding it?
All strongly represent "free butterflies," but in different ways. Patria's is a freedom of faith, meaning she can believe in any higher power she wants, not necessarily turn to Trujillo. Minerva obviously represents freedom of speech, such as in the way she casually mentions going to university to the president, a man known for keeping many mistresses and mistreating women. Déde represents just the strength to live, something I can identify with. Despite the traumatic happenings of losing her closest family, I have noticed she never became twisted. She never "fell away" from herself, by resulting in hazardous matters. She kept on going with her life, and has to painfully live through every November when reporters come by to question the massacre of her sisters. I honestly don't know how she can do that... but it's something I strongly admire. Mate represents freedom of thought. Despite the fact anyone could find her diary and expose her, she keeps one anyways, as a way of coping with what she deals with every day. All represent different forms of strength... but the true form of a butterfly, free to roam and find their own paths.
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