In the Time of the Butterflies

Literary Analysis
By: Preston Carroll
Kirkus review
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/julia-alvarez/in-the-
time-of-the-butterflies/
In this review, there are many praises of Alvarez portraying the
Mirabal sisters as strong willed and determined. Therefore equipping
Alvarez with a voice all her own that is grounded in realism yet alive
with the magic of everyday human beings who summon
extraordinary courage and determination to fight for their beliefs.
I agree with this review because as I read the novel I truly did feel as
if I was connecting with the characters and ultimately feeling their
anguish or joy, and this is due to Alvarezs ability to communicate a
message she didnt experience through the voice of a character.

Quotation for Kirkus
She took both my hands in hers as if we were getting ready to jump
together into a deep spot in the lagoon of Ojo de Agua. 'Breathe
slowly and deeply,' she intoned, 'slowly and deeply. I pictured myself
on a hot day falling, slowly and deeply, into those cold layers of
water. I held on tight to my sister's hands, no longer afraid of
anything but that she might let go. pg. 39 In the Time of the
Butterflies
I chose this quotation because I feel like this passage is a good
representation of what Alvarez was praised about in the review. She is
speaking through Maria Teresa (Mate) as she joins the revolutionary
uprising. Through Mates voice, she conveys imagery and symbolism as
she gets ready to jump into an unforeseen destiny, and how she is no
longer afraid of anything but that she might let go. This represents that
Mate is going to join the revolution and not think twice.
Symbolizes a courageous jump into an unknown future- displays Alvarezs
unique ability to convey a message through literary devices and an
authentic voice of a character

Publishers Weekly
Review
http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-56512-038-9
This review comes with a slightly more critical review of the novel.
Starting with references to Alvarez taking a risk by slightly fictionalizing
the lives of real people in order to tell a narrative, then moving on to
more in depth discussion. The reviewer says that Mates personalized
chapters (diary entries) are too mundane at the beginning of the book
and it only slows the pace of the story down, but ultimately the reviewer
praises Alvarez for her work and success with this novel.
I am ambivalent about this review. I agree that it was a risk of Alvarez to
somewhat fictionalize parts of the story to create a better narrative, but I
disagree with the criticism of capturing the younger years of the
Mirabals, because that is what shapes the story for the future so
beautifully.
Quotations for Review
It wont be forever, my dear little book, I promise. As soon as things
are better. pg. 43
This quote is from Mates first diary entry in the novel, right before Minerva
has to take it away so they wont be caught for rebellious action against
Trujillo. The childish vibe she gives off sets up her later diary entries greatly
I see the picture of our president with eyes that follow me around the
room, and I am thinking he is trying to catch me doing something
wrong. Before, I always thought our president was like God, watching
over everything I did.- pg. 244
This quotation is a great deal later than her first entry, and because of the
innocent tone she conveys in the beginning, it illuminates a great evolution
of a character. Mate began her journey as a supporter of Trujillo, often
times praying to him at night, but now in the final months of her life, she
views him as despicable and menacing. Because of this, Alvarez portrays a
great character evolving through the simple act of changing the tone
throughout the novel.
Bibliography
"IN THE TIME OF THE BUTTERFLIES by Julia Alvarez." Kirkus
Reviews. N.p., 1 Sept. 1994. Web. 02 Nov. 2014.
<https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/julia-alvarez/in-the-time-
of-the-butterflies/>.
"Fiction Book Review: In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez,
Author Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill $21.95 (344p) ISBN 978-1-
56512-038-9." PublishersWeekly.com. N.p., 3 Mar. 1994. Web. 02 Nov.
2014. <http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-56512-038-9>.
Alvarez, Julia. In the Time of the Butterflies. Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin
of Chapel Hill, 1994. Print.