In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia AlvarezThis historical novel is based on the lives of four courageous women, the Mirabal sisters, who fought and died under the rule of the dictator, Trujillo, in the Dominican Republic.
The author, Julia Alvarez, and her family fled to the United States in 1960. Her father had been a member of the group that tried to topple Trujillo.
The Mirabal sisters had been members of the underground movement. They were known as the butterflies for their colorful dress and actions. Their family members had been hauled into the torture chamber of La Cuarenta. Three of the sisters paid the ultimate price for trying to bring freedom to their country.
After Trujillo was ousted from power, and Alvarez made trips back home to visit, she felt drawn more and more to the stories surrounding the Mirabal sisters. She knew she had to write about their courage and sacrifice.
Patria, Minerva, Maria Teresa and Dede Mirabal had lived a comfortable childhood, just a normal family in a nice home. The girls attended a fine school and studied at the university.
As children the girls were aware that friends and neighbors suffered injustices at the hands of the government. They knew when someone was grabbed in the night, jailed, and murdered. They heard stories of the rise of Castro in Cuba, and of the Haitians being murdered by the hundreds.
The Trujillo regime lasted for 31 years, and all that time the Mirabal sisters saw their hopes and dreams turn to despair. They knew in order to save their country for their children, they had to fight.
Three of the courageous sisters and their husbands were imprisoned. After several months, the women were allowed to return home. Their husbands were kept but were moved to another prison where the women, in order to visit, had to travel over treacherous terrain.
An "accident" occurred, taking the lives of three of the sisters. The day of their murder, Nov. 25, is observed in many Latin American countries as International Day Against Violence Towards Women. Their story is in many ways a metaphor for our times and parallels the struggle for Civil Rights in America. Like tiny Dominican Republic, Alabama was in the forefront.
Citizens were imprisoned, tortured and murdered for their political beliefs. Among these was a young Episcopal seminarian, Jonathan Myrick Daniels who came to Alabama. He was arrested in Ft. Deposit on Aug. 14, 1965 for joining a picket line. He was released a few days later.
On August 20, 1965, he and several friends stopped for a cold drink at a small country store in Hayneville. A shotgun blast ended his life that day.
It may be hard for the younger generation to imagine such horrendous acts happening in Alabama. It may be hard for them to think of living in fear of being yanked off the streets, imprisoned, tortured or murdered for political reasons.
We must never forget the courage of those who have given so much for our freedom. They are paying the price even now.
Marianne Moates is a free lanc writer who lives in Sylacauga. Her book reviews appear on Tuesdays.
