Her Everlasting Faith
Death is a word associated with loss, grief and sadness, but in the novel In the Time of the Butterflies we see death in a whole new perspective; martyrdom. Strong, independent, caring, honest, and having firm beliefs are all characteristics we see in a martyr especially in Patria. In the novel we explore the wonders of Julia Alvarez’s writing and get to witness Patria as a martyr and an individual who fought for the right of women against a dictator: Trujillo.
As an individual, Patria’s personality can be best characterized as someone who firmly sticks to their beliefs and has faith in everything and everyone. Patria’s drive to become someone notable after dealing with misfortune after misfortune makes Patria
I looked out the spider-webbed window of that bullet-riddled car at brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, one and all, my human family. Then I tried looking up at our Father, but I couldn’t see His Face for the dark smoke hiding the tops of those mountains. I made myself pray so I wouldn’t cry. But my prayers sounded more like I was trying to pick a fight. I’m not going to sit back and watch my babies die, Lord, even if that’s what you in your great wisdom decides” (Alvarez 162).
Witnessing a death to such a young child can change a person in many ways and when Patria watches the young boy get shot down, something inside her is triggered. Faith is a key factor in this novel and comes into play when Patria realizes that she’s “Not going to sit back and watch my [babies] die, lord even if that’s what you and your great wisdom decides” (Alvarez 162). Patria is willing to go against everything she believes is right to protect the people of the Dominican Republic, because there is no greater family then the one you’ve suffered with and thrived with. Patria is fighting with every ounce of strength she has to make right what Trujillo has failed to do as their Dictator.
“The minute I walked into that room, I knew something had changed in the way the lord Jesus would be among us. No longer was there the liturgical chatter of how San Zenon had made the day sunny for a