In the Time of the Butterflies (100-150)

Summary: Enrique Mirabal has passed away, Carmen his once mistress and her four daughters attended the funeral. In her journal Maria Teresa states how shocked she was that they would show up. However, Minerva told her that they were Enrique's daughters too. After the death, Teresa began to have weird dreams in which she would see other people in coffins as well. First, she had a dream in which she found her wedding dress laying inside the coffin with Enrique. Next, in her dream was Manolo, Minerva's husband inside the coffin. Once again, while away to university, she had the dream and it was with one of Minerva's friend in the coffin. Teresa is also having love life problems, she does not know who to choose between her cousins Berto and Raul. However, she soon becomes tired of both once she kissed Berto and Raul confronts her about it. By July third, Maria Teresa graduates, and her aunt bakes her a cake. Her aunt then tells her she must choose between one of her sons Raul or Berto, and Teresa tells them she wants neither. She then goes on to be roommates with Minerva at her university. Minerva later moves in with Manolo and they have a child, Minou. Trujillo then punishes Minerva by not granting her a license to practice law. Teresa, stays with her sister and helps her with her home and her relationship. Later on Maria Teresa herself falls in love with Leandro, and they marry on Valentines Day.

Quote: "North to Tamboril and the mountain road to Puerto Plata, the rain drives on, in every bohio and small conuco, and on out to the Atlantic where it is lost in the waves that rock the bones of martyrs in the deepest sleep" (Alvarez 116).

Reaction: When I first came across the quote it reminded me of the Dominican Republic, and the places that were mentioned I have been too. My father's family owned a conuco in the Dominican Republic, and I used to go with him there which is like a farm with animals and crops. I would see people milk the cows, and cut down pounds of plantains. I have also been to Puerto Plata, it's just amazing how I could make a connection with the story. To analyze the quote, Minerva is driving back from the Capital and it is raining just like the same day when she slapped Trujillo, and the rain was coming down strong just like Trujillo's character.