When I was a seventh grader, I never knew that I’d read a novel that was so intense. “In The Time Of the Butterflies “ by Juliva Alvarez is a thrilling book that focuses on being mistreated as a woman and being judged for doing a “man’s job,” and deserves more recognition in order to show how women are abused and have to face many obstacles.
As a young girl, this inspires me to push myself to be better in a way that no one sees. The book is based on the Mirabal sisters (Dede, Patria, Minerva, Marie) who overcame adversity. Minerva is the protagonist, she is faced with sexual harassment, harmful gender norms, and was also apart of a revolution because she didn’t agree with trujillo rulership. Despite the fact that she was simultaneously abused and incarcerated.
Mirabal’s sisters wanted to reveal Trujillo secrets, so they stood up against the Dominican dictator Rafeal Trujilo, risking their own lifes. Minerva saw what a negative impact Trujilo was showing, she didn’t want her kids to have to grow up with that. A year later Rafael Trujilo was assassinated. Julia Alveres brought peace within the sisters by sharing their story to demonstrate how these characters were full of courage by fighting against a dictator.
During “In The Time Of the Butterflies,” Trujillo harraresses young girls, he doesn’t believe that women should have jobs, stops many women from completing their dreams, and affects many families.
Minerva was a young girl who dreamed of being a lawyer, and she fought her way through school in order to flee the country, but there were still gender roles that affected her; like those where women belong in the kitchen or being a housewife. But Minerva was confident, well taught, and filled with courage. She was like an outcast and thought differently from her sister despite what she’s been through, she pushes herself to be more self aware of her surroundings.
This book inspires women to keep fighting for women rights because, when having a job that falls in the category of a “man’’s job,” women shouldn’t get mistreated for not having testosterone.
Instead of women being judged,, they should be supported but gender oppression ruins that. We all should be treated the same, and fight for what’s right. The book is called “ In The Time Of The Butterflies “ because the butterflies represent hope and the freedom that the sisters fought for but also represent their beautiful souls.
This novel might not be for everyone, but if you like books that impact our society and make history, this book is for you. “ In The Time Of The Butterflies” shows us how much these sisters sacrificed in order for women to have rights. Being unique from others shouldn’t be a reason for you to stop doing what you love, and these sisters want to show that no matter what life throws at you, fight for what you think is right and don’t let nobody say otherwise.
