Friday, November 13, 2009
Quick Question
Hey people! Quick question; Is the backround coming up on anyone's computer? Amanda set the backround as this pretty butterfly thing, but it isn't showing up... Is it working for anyone?
Chapter 10
Patria narrates chapter ten. This takes place between January and March, 1960. SPatricia is living at her mothers house, which is always being watched by the government (spefically Captain Victor Alicinio Pena). Also, Margarita Mirabal (Patria's sort-of half-sister) visits with a message from María Teresa, who is in prison. Margarita's cousin is a guard in the prison, and the family sends the prisoners items through him. Trujillo allows Nelson to be released, but he only does it to gain favorable publicity, not because he is a good person.
-Robin
-Robin
Chapter 11 and 12
CHAPTER 11: This chapter consists of María Teresa's diary entries from March to August, 1960. She is in a jail cell with 22 other women who are in jail for non-political crimes. She describes her experiences in jail and her daily routines. Maria has to go through an electric chair right in front of her husband. Seeing her pain makes him agree to go with the Trujillo's men.
CHAPTER 12: Minerva is the last narrator of the book. Chapter 12 takes place from between August and November 25, 1960. While under house arrest she struggles with her usual courageous personality until she is faced with adversity and has to be courageous. Trujillo then declares that his only two remaining problems are the church and the Mirabal sisters. The sisters must cross isolated mountainous roads to get there for visitations. Minerva, María Teresa, Patria, and Rufino de la Cruz travel to the prison on November 25. On the way, they fear an ambush, but they arrive safely. They try calling home before heading back, but the line is busy and they never get through
CHAPTER 12: Minerva is the last narrator of the book. Chapter 12 takes place from between August and November 25, 1960. While under house arrest she struggles with her usual courageous personality until she is faced with adversity and has to be courageous. Trujillo then declares that his only two remaining problems are the church and the Mirabal sisters. The sisters must cross isolated mountainous roads to get there for visitations. Minerva, María Teresa, Patria, and Rufino de la Cruz travel to the prison on November 25. On the way, they fear an ambush, but they arrive safely. They try calling home before heading back, but the line is busy and they never get through
Chapter 9
Dedé narrates chapter nine. In this chapter, Dede talks about her feelings about the movement. Athough she was sympathetic to it, she does not want to get involved with it because Jaimito doesn't want to. She discusses her marriage with Jaimito too. She says that in 1960 she had some serious issues, but they stayed together despite that. Minerva, Maria, and Teresa are arrested with all of their husbands, along with Patricia's husband and son, Nelson. Also, Patricia's family loses their farm. Talk about bad luck. :(
-Robin
-Robin
Chapter 7 and 8
CHAPTER 7: consists of entries from María Teresa's diary between 1953 and 1958. She discusses her father's death in 1953, her romantic dilemmas, Minerva's experiences in law school, and her own experiences at college. Minerva marries Manolo Tavárez, has a daughter and earns her law degree, but Trujillo refuses her a license to practice. During the summer, María Teresa stays with Minerva's family. Minerva and Manolo have marital problems until they become involved in an underground movement against Trujillo, this helps them set aside their differences and come together. They explain the movement to María Teresa and reveal their code names. Minerva is Mariposa, or Butterfly which is their under cover name. María Teresa then joins them, largely because of her feelings for Leandro Guzmán, AKA Palomino, a man in the movement. She becomes Mariposa #2 or Butterfly #2. She marries Leandro on February 14, 1958.
CHAPTER 8: Patria narrates chapter 8, which covers 1959. She becomes pregnant and decides to name the child Raúl Ernesto after the Cuban revolutionaries Raúl Castro. The movement needs a place to meet, and Patria offers them her farm. Patria goes on a religious retreat. On June 14, the retreat is bombed when Trujillo's forces attack rebels hiding in the mountains. Patria watches a small boy die. She vows to help in the resistance, and she convinces Pedrito to do the same, though they will lose their farm if they are caught.
-Robin
CHAPTER 8: Patria narrates chapter 8, which covers 1959. She becomes pregnant and decides to name the child Raúl Ernesto after the Cuban revolutionaries Raúl Castro. The movement needs a place to meet, and Patria offers them her farm. Patria goes on a religious retreat. On June 14, the retreat is bombed when Trujillo's forces attack rebels hiding in the mountains. Patria watches a small boy die. She vows to help in the resistance, and she convinces Pedrito to do the same, though they will lose their farm if they are caught.
-Robin
Chapter 6
Minerva narrates the sixth chapter, which begins in 1949. Three years after graduating Inmaculada, she is bored at home and decides that she wants to attend law school. She discovers that her father has four illegitimate daughters and that he has been hiding Lío's letters to her. Then the family goes to an outdoor party hosted by Trujillo, and Minerva slaps Trujillo when he becomes frisky while they are dancing. It begins to rain, and the Mirabals leave the party, even though it is against the law to do so. Minerva forgets her purse, which contains Lío's letters. Enrique Mirabal is soon arrested. After many weeks, Minerva and her mother secure his release by apologizing to Trujillo personally.
-Robin
-Robin
Chapters 5
CHAPTER 5: Chapter five opens in 1994 with Dedé telling the interviewer about Virgilio (Lío) Morales. Dedé privately recalls her own romantic interest in Lío when he was a young doctor and revolutionary. The narrative then shifts to 1948, when the Mirabals met Lío. Dedé is beginning a romance with her cousin Jaimito, who she soon marries. Minerva is attracted to Lío's Communist politics, though she never admits it to him. When Lío must flee the country, he asks Dedé to give Minerva a letter asking her to join him in exile. Dedé decides to burn the letter.
-Robin
-Robin
It's a movie...?
Guys, "In the Time of the Butterflies" is a movie! I want to see it! :D Here is a trailer that Amanda found! :D
-Gabby and Amanda
You can see it here
http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/255132/In-the-Time-of-the-Butterflies/trailers
Sorry, I thought I would be able to post the video itself but the computer won't let me. It's pretty cool though. No offense to Julia Alvarez, but I think the movie will be better then the book for me. If I think of a specific person to go along with each name, I will be able to remember the characters more easily. Did that make sense? As in, when I am reading the book, the four different characters confuse me, and I forget who is who. If I think of a certain person every time I read a name, I will be able to remem,ber who is who. Get it? Ha ha.
I think I should have seen the movie and THEN read the book. :)
-Gabby and Amanda
You can see it here
http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/255132/In-the-Time-of-the-Butterflies/trailers
Sorry, I thought I would be able to post the video itself but the computer won't let me. It's pretty cool though. No offense to Julia Alvarez, but I think the movie will be better then the book for me. If I think of a specific person to go along with each name, I will be able to remember the characters more easily. Did that make sense? As in, when I am reading the book, the four different characters confuse me, and I forget who is who. If I think of a certain person every time I read a name, I will be able to remem,ber who is who. Get it? Ha ha.
I think I should have seen the movie and THEN read the book. :)
Julia Alvarez Biography
Hey guys! I found a really good Julia Alvarez biography on a website, and I thought I'd share it with you guys! ENJOY
-Gabby
"Julia Alvarez was born on March 27, 1950, in New York, New York, but she spent her early years in the Dominican Republic. She and her sisters were brought up along with their cousins, and were supervised by her mother, maids, and many aunts. Her father, a doctor who ran a nearby hospital, had met her mother while she was attending school in the United States. Alvarez's family was highly influenced by American attitudes and goods. Alvarez and her sisters attended an American school, and, for a special treat, they ate ice cream from an American ice cream parlor. The entire extended family had respect and admiration for America; to the children, it was a fantasy land.
When Alvarez was ten years old, her father became involved with a plot to overthrow the dictator (military ruler) of the Dominican Republic, Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina. His plans were discovered, however. With the help of an American agent, he was able to get his family out of the country before being arrested or killed. The Alvarez family returned to New York. Describing the scene in American Scholar as their plane landed in the United States, Alvarez wrote, "All my childhood I had dressed like an American, eaten American foods, and befriended American children. I had gone to an American school and spent most of the day speaking and reading English. At night, my prayers were full of blond hair and blue eyes and snow.… All my childhood I had longed for this moment of arrival. And here I was, an American girl, coming home at last."
I thought one of the reasons this one was so good was because it talked about Trujillo, and that is where she got her inspiration for the book "In the Time of the Butterflies", I assume. I had no idea that this was such a personal book for her to write!
You can read the rest of her biography at http://www.notablebiographies.com/A-An/Alvarez-Julia.html if you want to. I just thought I would put in the part that I feel relates with our group's book.
Chapters 1-4 summary (1938- 1946)
CHAPTER 1 : The book starts off in 1994 with Dedé, the surviving Mirabal sister. She meets with an American writer who has come to interview her about her family. She recalls a time in 1943 when Enrique, her dad, was predicting his daughters' futures. He tells Dedé that she will bury them all "in silk and pearls."
CHAPTER 2: The second chapter is narrated by Minerva and depicts events in 1938, 1941, and 1944. Minerva and Patria go to boarding school at Inmaculada Concepción. Minerva befriends girl named Sinita Perozo. Sinita's male family members were murdered for opposing the Dominican dictator, Rafael Trujillo. Minerva is shocked to learn of Trujillo's cruelty, since all Dominican children are taught to love him. In 1941, the married Trujillo seduces the prettiest girl in Minerva's school, Lina Lovatón. After Lina becomes pregnant, Trujillo ships her to live in Miami. In 1944, Minerva, Sinita, and their friends Elsa and Lourdes perform a play for the country's Independence Day celebrations and win the opportunity to perform before Trujillo. During their performance, Sinita points a bow and arrow at Trujillo. Sinita is stopped by Trujillo's son, Ramfis, and Minerva intervenes by having everyone chant "Viva Trujillo," or "Long live Trujillo." This chapter has a lot of stuff going on and its some thinking to fully understand who is who and what's going on.
CHAPTER 3: The third chapter consists of María Teresa's diary entries between 1945 and 1946. She describes her child hood clothing, her favorite memories. She talks about her friendship with Hilda and the fight with the Trujillo. When Hilda is caught, Maria hides her diary so the police don't find it.
CHAPTER 4: Chapter four is narrated by Patricia and begins in 1946. In this chapter Patricia struggles on whether to become a nun or not. She soon falls in love and has a child with Pedrito González. They have a son and daughter. But their child is born deaf, where Patricia loses her faith and the regains it back by going to church
CHAPTER 2: The second chapter is narrated by Minerva and depicts events in 1938, 1941, and 1944. Minerva and Patria go to boarding school at Inmaculada Concepción. Minerva befriends girl named Sinita Perozo. Sinita's male family members were murdered for opposing the Dominican dictator, Rafael Trujillo. Minerva is shocked to learn of Trujillo's cruelty, since all Dominican children are taught to love him. In 1941, the married Trujillo seduces the prettiest girl in Minerva's school, Lina Lovatón. After Lina becomes pregnant, Trujillo ships her to live in Miami. In 1944, Minerva, Sinita, and their friends Elsa and Lourdes perform a play for the country's Independence Day celebrations and win the opportunity to perform before Trujillo. During their performance, Sinita points a bow and arrow at Trujillo. Sinita is stopped by Trujillo's son, Ramfis, and Minerva intervenes by having everyone chant "Viva Trujillo," or "Long live Trujillo." This chapter has a lot of stuff going on and its some thinking to fully understand who is who and what's going on.
CHAPTER 3: The third chapter consists of María Teresa's diary entries between 1945 and 1946. She describes her child hood clothing, her favorite memories. She talks about her friendship with Hilda and the fight with the Trujillo. When Hilda is caught, Maria hides her diary so the police don't find it.
CHAPTER 4: Chapter four is narrated by Patricia and begins in 1946. In this chapter Patricia struggles on whether to become a nun or not. She soon falls in love and has a child with Pedrito González. They have a son and daughter. But their child is born deaf, where Patricia loses her faith and the regains it back by going to church
Trujillo...?
Did that come up as a picture? I hope so. Anyway, I can't believe that is Trujillo. He doesn't even look that mean! WHOA!
-Gabby
Introduction Summary
This book is split up into four parts because each chapter has a different narrator. This is set in the Dominican Republic and decipts the lives Mirabal family from the years 1938 until 1994. This is a true story written about her family. The chapters are narrated by the four Mirabal sisters, Patria, Dedé, Minerva, and María Teresa, or Mate. The book is written in chronological order, thugh Julia Alverez cuts out many years and only briefly talks about the years from 1069- 1994.
Post By Robin
Post By Robin
Quick Quote :)
I just wanted to say that this book kind of reminds me of the movie "V for Vendetta" (a.k.a the best movie of all time). One quote from that movie is "People should not be be afraid of their government, the government should be afraid of their people." That is something I completely agree with. Stupid Trujillo. :D
-Gabby
-Gabby
Word Watcher
1. perturbed- to disturb or disquiet greatly in mind; agitate
2. inanely- lacking sense, significance, or ideas; silly
3. gaunt- extremely thin and bony; haggard and drawn, as from great hunger, weariness, or torture; emaciated
Post by Amanda
2. inanely- lacking sense, significance, or ideas; silly
3. gaunt- extremely thin and bony; haggard and drawn, as from great hunger, weariness, or torture; emaciated
Post by Amanda
Word Watcher
1. reverently- feeling, exhibiting, or characterized by reverence; deeply respectful
2. estrangement- to turn away in feeling or affection
3. admonishes- to caution, advise, or counsel against something
4. treasonous- of the nature of treason
Post by Amanda
2. estrangement- to turn away in feeling or affection
3. admonishes- to caution, advise, or counsel against something
4. treasonous- of the nature of treason
Post by Amanda
Word Watcher
1. gallantly- brave, spirited, noble-minded, or chivalrous
2. archly- in an arch or roguish manner
3. decisively- having the power or quality of deciding; putting an end to controversy; crucial or most important
4. vehemence- fury
Post by Amanda
2. archly- in an arch or roguish manner
3. decisively- having the power or quality of deciding; putting an end to controversy; crucial or most important
4. vehemence- fury
Post by Amanda
Word Watcher
1. dignitaries- a person who holds a high rank or office, as in the government or church
2. bicorn- shaped like a crescent
3. pervasive- to become spread throughout all parts of
4. ailments- a physical disorder or illness, esp. of a minor or chronic nature
Post by Amanda
2. bicorn- shaped like a crescent
3. pervasive- to become spread throughout all parts of
4. ailments- a physical disorder or illness, esp. of a minor or chronic nature
Post by Amanda
Word Watcher
1. clairvoyance- the supernatural power of seeing objects or actions removed in space or time from natural viewing
2. pious- having or showing a dutiful spirit of reverence for God or an earnest wish to fulfill religious obligations
3. chaste- refraining from sexual intercourse that is regarded as contrary to morality or religion; virtuous
4. bemoaning- to express distress or grief over; lament
Post by Amanda
2. pious- having or showing a dutiful spirit of reverence for God or an earnest wish to fulfill religious obligations
3. chaste- refraining from sexual intercourse that is regarded as contrary to morality or religion; virtuous
4. bemoaning- to express distress or grief over; lament
Post by Amanda
Theme?
Hey my favorite book group! So, would you guys say that there is a theme to this book? I definitely think there is, but I can't really think of a good way to put it in words. Maybe the theme would be to hold on to hope? Or... maybe something about how people will always keep freedom in their hearts, or something cheesy like that. :) I want to think of a word that really defines the theme, but I can't really think of a good one. Defiance? Perserverance? Butterflies? LOL So tell me what you guys think :D
Post by Gabby
Post by Gabby
Question
SO guys, I was wondering... If you were in the position of ANY of the sisters, what would you do? Would you join the rebellion? DO you think you would follow Trujillo? Or would you do everything exactly as the Mirabel sisters did?
Personally, I am afraid of everything. I would never have the guts to stand up against the governemtn, especially if it is a government like the one if "In the Time of the Butterflies." I would be MUCH too scared for my life! That is probably a pretty horrible thing to admit, but it's true :) So what about you guys? Any thought?
-Gabby
Personally, I am afraid of everything. I would never have the guts to stand up against the governemtn, especially if it is a government like the one if "In the Time of the Butterflies." I would be MUCH too scared for my life! That is probably a pretty horrible thing to admit, but it's true :) So what about you guys? Any thought?
-Gabby
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Important Passage
HEY GUYS! SO HERE IS AN IMPORTANT PASSAGE! It is in chapter five, and is spoken (or thought... or narrated?) by Dede.
She decided not to read the papers anymore. They were turning her upside down inside. The regime was going insane, issuing the most ludicrous regulations. A heavy fine was now imposed on anyone who wore khaki trousers and shirts of the same color. It was against the law now to carry your suit jacket over your arm. Lío was right, this was an absurd and crazy regime. It had to be brought down.
But when she read the list to Jaimito, she did not get the reaction she expected. “Well?” he said when she was through and looked up at him.
"Isn't it ridiculous? I mean, it's absurd, insanely ridiculous." Unlike her golden-tongued sister, Dede was not eloquent with reasons."
To me, this passage shows how crazy things were getting under the rule of Trujillo. This is also important because Dede decides that this "absurd and crazy" regime has to be brought down. I definitely agree with Dede. It IS ridiculous! I can't imagine living in a country where we aren't allowed to wear certain colors!
She decided not to read the papers anymore. They were turning her upside down inside. The regime was going insane, issuing the most ludicrous regulations. A heavy fine was now imposed on anyone who wore khaki trousers and shirts of the same color. It was against the law now to carry your suit jacket over your arm. Lío was right, this was an absurd and crazy regime. It had to be brought down.
But when she read the list to Jaimito, she did not get the reaction she expected. “Well?” he said when she was through and looked up at him.
"Isn't it ridiculous? I mean, it's absurd, insanely ridiculous." Unlike her golden-tongued sister, Dede was not eloquent with reasons."
To me, this passage shows how crazy things were getting under the rule of Trujillo. This is also important because Dede decides that this "absurd and crazy" regime has to be brought down. I definitely agree with Dede. It IS ridiculous! I can't imagine living in a country where we aren't allowed to wear certain colors!
Hmmmmm
HEY GUYS!!!! OK, so I found five important quotes from "In the Time of the Butterflies." Which one is your favorite, or which one do you guys think is the most important or powerful?
1) (Minerva, chapter 2) "The country people around the farm say that until the nail is hit, it doesn't believe in the hammer."
2) (Minerva, chapter 6) "I know the clouds have already rained."
3) (Dede, chapter 8) "I followed my husband. I didn't get involved."
4) (Patricia, chapter 8) "I scrambled to a little niche where a statue of the Virgencita was standing, and begging her pardon, I knocked her and her pedestal over."
5) (Maria Teresa, chapter 11) "May I never experience all that it is possible to get used to."
P.S I found these all off a "In the Time of the Butterflies" website. :)
I would say my favorite is probably quote one. To me, it means that until you feel pain, you don't believe it can happen to you. All of my teachers, especially in WJPS, always say "You teenagers think you are invincible, and that nothing can happen to you." I think that is pretty true. I watch murders and other crimes on t.v all the time, but I never think anything can happen to me. I thought this was a very important quote for this particular story. I think that either the Maribel sisters are incredibly brave and gutsy for doing what they believe in, or maybe they didn't really think that anything would happen to THEM. Maybe they would have never guessed how their lives would end. (Am I allowed to talk about the end of this book? Or are people going to read this who didn't read this book yet?)
So, that's about it. RESPOND GUYS!
-Gabby
1) (Minerva, chapter 2) "The country people around the farm say that until the nail is hit, it doesn't believe in the hammer."
2) (Minerva, chapter 6) "I know the clouds have already rained."
3) (Dede, chapter 8) "I followed my husband. I didn't get involved."
4) (Patricia, chapter 8) "I scrambled to a little niche where a statue of the Virgencita was standing, and begging her pardon, I knocked her and her pedestal over."
5) (Maria Teresa, chapter 11) "May I never experience all that it is possible to get used to."
P.S I found these all off a "In the Time of the Butterflies" website. :)
I would say my favorite is probably quote one. To me, it means that until you feel pain, you don't believe it can happen to you. All of my teachers, especially in WJPS, always say "You teenagers think you are invincible, and that nothing can happen to you." I think that is pretty true. I watch murders and other crimes on t.v all the time, but I never think anything can happen to me. I thought this was a very important quote for this particular story. I think that either the Maribel sisters are incredibly brave and gutsy for doing what they believe in, or maybe they didn't really think that anything would happen to THEM. Maybe they would have never guessed how their lives would end. (Am I allowed to talk about the end of this book? Or are people going to read this who didn't read this book yet?)
So, that's about it. RESPOND GUYS!
-Gabby
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Confused...?
So I don't know about you guys, but one thing that I found pretty darn confusing was how the story kept changing perspectives. Honestly, I am very easily confused by stories like that. The one character I was mostly not confused about was Dede, and that is only because she was the only one who survived. When I am reading one persons perspective, I tend to forget what events happened to which person, except foer the person I am currently reading about. Does that make sense?
-Gabby
-Gabby
HI EVERYONE!
HEY GUYS! So now that we are all done with the book, what did everyone think of it? personally, I have to say the book went a little slowly for me at first. When we started reading it I was trying to read some of 'In the Time Of The Butterflies' on day and then some of my independent reading book another day. That was a pretty big mistake for me because I would completely forgot what I had read, and it made it harder to get through 'In the Time Of The Butterflies'. So, it was pretty boring for me at the beginning. But at the end it really began to pick up. Does anyone agree???
-Gabby :)
-Gabby :)
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