María Teresa

One interesting character in the book In The Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez is the youngest Mirabel sister, María Teresa, best known as Mate. With an adorable sense of innocence, yet possessing independence, thought, and strength, I shall follow her path and how she evolves throughout the book.

-Mate was born October 15th, 1935. Her story starts in her first section of the book. She starts evolving into her own person and voicing her thoughts with the very first diary she was given by her older sister, Minerva as a gift for her First Communion at the age of 10.
-Feb. 18th, 1946 was the first time Mate lied for Minerva in school when she was caught sneaking out of school to visit a "sick" relative.
-July 23rd- Mate writes her final entry in her first diary and unfortunately has to bury it because there were people's names mentioned, those that have gotten in trouble with the law. Mate can not keep it in case she gets caught.

The second part that highlights Mate's Timeline is in her second chapter.
-December 15th, 1953. Mate has grown a bit, and is discussing her father's funeral, and how awkward yet angering it was for Mate to meet her "other" sisters, the children her father had with his mistress.
-July 3rd. We are now faced with Mate's graduation, a huge jump in the book. She discusses everything about her graduation party... as well as the fact her aunt is trying to make her decide between a possible suitor between her two cousins, Berto and Raul. Talk about a tough decision! This shows how life was in their culture and how much Mate has grown as a woman.
-Sept 18th- Mate and Minerva, her role model, are leaving for the capital. While she is there, the reader can see how Mate evolves into somewhat of her own person by not following in her sister's footsteps as a career being a lawyer, but decides to study Philosophy and Letters.
-April 28th- Mate receives an amazing honor to be Queen of the Capital, which is an equivalent to a Class Honorary. She has Minerva help her with her speech.
-July 28th, 1957- Mate moves in with Minerva, and has sensed something is wrong between Minerva and her husband, Manolo.
-Sept 7th. A couple of months pass by, and somehow, Mate has brought Minerva and her husband back together and "saved" their marraige. Who could think the naive one could help save a marraige?
-Sept 28th- In her sister's apartment, a man named Palomino making a delivery shows up. This is the first true encounter Mate has had with a man that she realizes if she was married, she could not give up. The next day Mate discovers the revolution that her sister is involved in. She is then named Mariposa, her code name.
-Dec 16th- Mate finally confesses her love to Palomino, whose real name is Leandro. He obviously, feels the same.
-Feb 14th, 1958. Mate marries Leandro Guzmán Rodríguez.
We then jump to the third section. A lot has occurred. Now the sisters are imprisoned and refuse to be pardoned.
-March 16th. Mate keeps yet another diary, or as she puts it, notebook.
-March 22nd. Mate finally breaks down. She says she feels she will never leave, and I can only imagine what a feeling that is. She explains how it's common for the women to break down frequently.
-March 24th. Mate describes her experience being questioned by the guards.
-April 1st. Mate finally (which I found a bit impressive) states to her sister openly how she feels she can not take this before. It bothers Mate her daughter is growing up without her. Obviously, Minerva tries to calm her... How long can they hold out together?
-April 2nd. Mate finally realizes she is alone. Her sister was put into solitary for three weeks and she is now alone. Mate explains she hears a voice that says, "Mariposa does not belong to herself alone," meaning she has never been on her own before. Can she handle it? Mate then writes, "Courage, and this time I felt it."
-April 7th. Mate finally sees some of her family members, and gets excited at the thought of her mom bringing her little girl by to see her!
-Date unknown. Mate has been very sick, I presume. She explains how she has stopped bleeding, unsure if it was a period or a miscarraige of a child. She goes on to say how her friend, Magdalena is nursing her. She hopes to get better...
-May 25th. Mate and Minerva are arraigned. Unfortunately, they were taken to the court to wind up not being able to defend themselves without proper representation. Mate cries.
-June 27th. Things seem to get worse. Now Mate is getting word of a rumor that her husband, Leandro is being accused of a traitor. How can she help him in prison herself? She is very worried.
-July 11th. Mate has an experience with a female friend in prison, Magdalena. They kiss. I think Magdalena was an outlet for her to express her feelings on being in prison, her worries and fears.
-August 7th. Mate leaves the prison, and is feeling sad to leave behind her newfound "sisters."
Time will only tell what else happens to Mate. As one can see, she has come far in her journey. A long, intimidating, and dangerous one, but a journey nonetheless.