¡Viva Las Mariposas! Voice and Agency in In the Time of the Butterflies

Analyze Alvarez's reasons for writing the story of the Mirabal sisters as historical fiction.

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 323–324 — "A Postscript"

Standards

RI.9-10.2

Gain background knowledge on Trujillo's dictatorship in the Dominican Republic through a webquest exploration.

“Who were Las Mariposas, and why were they murdered?—Lisa Krause”
“The Dominican Republic under Trujillo”
“80 Years On, Dominicans and Haitians Revisit Painful Memories of Parsley Massacre”
Haitian Massacre, 1937
“Dominican Republic: Chambers of Horror”
Paradise for a Tourist Brochure, 1990

Standards

RI.9-10.2RI.9-10.7

Analyze how Alvarez structures her novel and characterizes Dedé and the Mirabal family in the first chapter.

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 3–10 — Chapter 1: Dedé

Standards

RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.5

Analyze how Minerva's experiences at school change her understanding and view of Trujillo’s regime.

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 11–29 — Chapter 2: Minerva

Standards

RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.5

Analyze the tone of Mate’s diary and how it contributes to her characterization.

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 30–43 — Chapter 3: María Teresa

Standards

RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.5

Analyze how biblical allusions and religious imagery contribute to an understanding of Patria's character.

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 44–59 — Chapter 4: Patria

Standards

L.9-10.5RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.9

Discussion

Analyze how Alvarez establishes a unique voice for each of the Mirabal sisters and weaves together the chapters into a coherent narrative in Part I.

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 3–59 — Part 1

Standards

RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.5

Analyze how Alvarez uses literary foils to characterize Dedé and Jaimito.

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 63–83 — Chapter 5: Dedé

Standards

RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3

Analyze how Alvarez develops ideas about gender roles within Dominican society and how Minerva challenges her role as a woman.

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 84–102 — Chapter 6: Minerva

Standards

RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3

Analyze how Alvarez uses symbols and motifs to convey Minerva's character development.

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 102–117 — Chapter 6: Minerva (cont.)

Standards

L.9-10.5RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.5

Analyze how Mate has changed since her last narrated chapter.

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 118–133 — Chapter 7: María Teresa

Standards

RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3

Compare and contrast Mate and Minerva's reasons for joining the revolution.

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 133–147 — Chapter 7: María Teresa (cont.)

Standards

RL.9-10.3

Analyze how religious imagery relates to Patria's decision to join the revolution.

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 148–168 — Chapter 8: Patria

Standards

L.9-10.5RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.9

Writing

Overview

Rewrite a pivotal scene from In the Time of the Butterflies from an alternate sister's perspective.

Day 1 - Brainstorming

Brainstorm and plan to rewrite a scene from an alternate Mirabal sister's narrative point of view.

Original Scene Close Reading Graphic Organizer (G9, U4, L14)
Rewritten Scene Brainstorm Graphic Organizer (G9, U4, L14)

Standards

W.9-10.3W.9-10.5W.9-10.9

Day 2 - Drafting

Develop a unique voice when rewriting a scene from another Mirabal sister's narrative point of view.

Analyzing Narrative Voice in an Exemplar (G9, U4, L14)

Standards

W.9-10.3.aW.9-10.3.dW.9-10.5

Day 3 - Language Lesson

Use similes as adverbial phrases to vividly describe actions and convey narrative voice.

Standards

L.9-10.1.bW.9-10.3.dW.9-10.5

Analyze the factors that influence Dedé's decision to stay out of the revolution.

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 171–186 — Chapter 9: Dedé

Standards

RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.4

Analyze how Dedé's ideas about bravery and courage develop and change.

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 186–199 — Chapter 9: Dedé (cont.)

Standards

RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.5

Analyze how Alvarez uses religious imagery and symbolism to develop the reader's understanding of Patria after her family has been arrested.

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 200–226 — Chapter 10: Patria

Standards

L.9-10.5RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.9

Analyze how narrative point of view and structure contribute to the reader's understanding of how Mate's imprisonment affects her.

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 227–256 — Chapter 11: María Teresa

Standards

RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.5

Analyze how Alvarez develops her central ideas about courage with Minerva's experiences outside of prison.

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 257–276 — Chapter 12: Minerva

Standards

RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4

Analyze the structure of the final chapter of the novel before the epilogue.

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 276–297 — Chapter 12: Minerva (cont.)

Standards

RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.5

Analyze how the epilogue contributes to the reader's understanding of Dedé at the end of the novel.

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 301–321 — Epilogue

Standards

RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.5

Writing

Prepare for a Socratic Seminar on overarching questions for In the Time of the Butterflies.

Standards

RL.9-10.1RL.9-10.2

Assessment

Socratic Seminar

Engage in a Socratic Seminar considering the larger themes and ideas in In the Time of the Butterflies, supporting arguments with strong textual evidence.

In the Time of Butterflies

Standards

L.9-10.1RL.9-10.1RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.5SL.9-10.1SL.9-10.4SL.9-10.6

Writing

Overview

Rewrite a pivotal scene from In the Time of the Butterflies from an alternate sister's perspective.

Day 1 - Brainstorming

Brainstorm and plan a rewritten scene from an alternate Mirabal sister's narrative point of view.

Original Scene Close Reading Graphic Organizer (G9, U4, L24)
Rewritten Scene Brainstorm Graphic Organizer (G9, U4, L24)
Self/Peer Feedback Form (G9, U4, L24)

Standards

W.9-10.3W.9-10.5W.9-10.9

Day 2 - Drafting

Incorporate dialogue that reveals a character's emotions/motivations/values, unique narrative voice, or relationship with another character.

Determining Dialogue in a Rewritten Scene (G9, U4, L24)

Standards

W.9-10.3.b

Day 3 - Revising

Revise a narrative scene by adding narration to balance dialogue and engage readers.

Analyzing a Non-Exemplar (G9, U4, L24)

Standards

L.9-10.1.bW.9-10.3.bW.9-10.5

Day 4 - Peer Review

Write a postscript for one's rewritten scene, provide feedback on a peer's writing, and then use peer feedback to improve one's own writing.