| | 
|
|
 |
|
In the Time of the Butterflies
Julia Alvarez. Penguin USA: 1995 (paperback). ISBN: 0452274427. 321 pages.
|
| |
|
About the Author
A page of detailed biographical information on Julia Alvarez, including excerpts from interviews in which Alvarez interprets her own work.
Alvarez’s own family was persecuted by Rafael Trujillo, the Dominican Republic dictator whose reign of terror turned the four Mirabal sisters into the Butterflies. For more on the interesting parallels between Alvarez’s life and her fiction, see this section.
All in the Family
A synopsis of the literary traditions and genres with which In the Time of the Butterfliesis affiliated and a brief explanation of these connections, giving your book group the opportunity to understand Alvarez’s novel in a larger literary perspective.
In order to appreciate all the literary traditions and historical realities that lie behind Alvarez’s creation, you’ll want to turn to this section to learn about the genres of Latin American, political, and domestic fiction, as well as to read our concise summary describing the terrible period of Trujillo’s dictatorship of the Dominican Republic.
Character Tree
A list of major characters and their dominant characteristics and values, showing characters’ relationships to each other.
In the Time of the Butterflies is a relatively short book, but it is packed with action and with important characters—both partly and purely fictional—each who play a significant part in the pattern of events that give rise to las Mariposas. Flip to this section to review the expansive cast of characters who make a difference in this novel.
Streams of Themes
A breakdown of potential major discussion themes in The Time of the Butterfilies, including ways these themes are interconnected.
How do you cope with being the caretaker of one of your country’s most important legends? That’s a quandary that both Alvarez and her fictional character Dede Mirabal must face in this novel. Go to this section to find a discussion of this and the other important thematic concerns of In the Time of the Butterflies
Talk Back to the Critics
Excerpts of some major critical reviews of In the time of the Butterflies from authoritative journals, newspapers, and magazines. We encourage your book group to enjoy the opportunity to argue with expert opinion.
While most critics were impressed by Alvarez’s fictional representation of four real national heroines, not all were completely satisfied that Alvarez had rendered them as complex and believable as possible. In order to get a complete picture of the critical response, take a look at this section.
Doorways to Discussion
A chronologically and thematically organized list of discussion questions, which function to explore, in a logical and thoughtful manner, the questions and possibilities that In the Time of the Butterflies evokes.
Consider the literary device of the gringa Americana as the force that “unleashes” the Mirabal sisters’ story. Are we meant to think that this character is Alvarez herself? If so, what repercussions do that have for Alvarez’s success or lack thereof? For a complete list of forty-two thought provoking questions on this novel, move to this section.
Taste Test
A selection of other books on subjects similar to those in In the Time of the Butterflies to consider for future book group meetings or for private reading.
In the mood to read another great Latin American novel, or another intense family story set against a larger social/political concerns? Check out this section for some ideas.
|
Read more about
the book
|
| |
| |
contact us
