¡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"
Postscript Comprehension Questions (G9, U4, L1)
Five Objects Brainstorm Graphic Organizer (G9, U4, L1)

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
Trujillo's Regime WebQuest (G9, U4, L2)

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
Narrative Point of View and Structure (G9, U4, L7)

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.)
Minerva and Trujillo Graphic Organizer (G9, U4, L10)

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
Compare/Contrast Mate Graphic Organizer (G9, U4, L11)

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

Narrative Writing

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

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 3–168
Narrative Writing Rubric (G9, U4, L14–16)
Rewritten Scene Brainstorm Graphic Organizer (G9, U4, L14–15)
Narrative Writing: Original Scene Close Reading Graphic Organizer (G9, U4, L14)

Standards

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

Narrative Writing

Draft a scene from a different Mirabal sister's narrative point of view.

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 3–168
Rewritten Scene Brainstorm Graphic Organizer (G9, U4, L14–15)
Rewritten Scene Mentor Text (G9, U4, L15–16)

Standards

W.9-10.3W.9-10.4W.9-10.5

Narrative Writing

Revise a scene from a different Mirabal sister's narrative point of view using feedback from a peer review.

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 3–168
Rewritten Scene Mentor Text (G9, U4, L15–16)
Rewritten Scene Peer Review Worksheet (G9, U4, L16)

Standards

W.9-10.3W.9-10.4W.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
Minerva's Courage: Before and After Graphic Organizer (G9, U4, L21)

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

Socratic Seminar

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

In the Time of Butterflies

Standards

RL.9-10.1RL.9-10.2

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

Performance Task

Unpack the expectations of a research project, gather sources, and assess the credibility of sources.

In the Time of Butterflies pp. 329–330 — "Butterfly Power"
Mirabal Postcard (G9, U4, L26–29)
Evaluating Sources Graphic Organizer (G9, U4, L26)

Standards

W.9-10.7

Performance Task

Take notes on a research question by summarizing.

Notes on Research Graphic Organizer (G9, U4, L27)

Standards

W.9-10.7W.9-10.8

Performance Task

Draft and then create a postcard that highlights the woman or group of women fighting against injustice around the world.

Research Materials
4" x 6" (postcard size) cardstock
Art supplies
Magazines
Scissors
Glue sticks or tape
Mirabal Postcard (G9, U4, L26–29)

Standards

W.9-10.2W.9-10.4W.9-10.5W.9-10.8

Performance Task

Revise a postcard draft that highlights the woman or group of women fighting against injustice around the world, and write a bibliography of at least two credible sources used for research.