In The Time Of The Butterflies Patria Character Analysis

Two weeks is all it takes for a caterpillar to completely transition into a butterfly. Compared to our span of life, this seems like a rushed transition; however, there are certain ways that humans can change just as quickly as a caterpillar. Although these are not physical changes like the caterpillars, they still remain significant. In the novel In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez the characters experience changes in values, personal opinions, and political views. The character Patria fits the image of a butterfly as she rapidly changes in result of certain situations . Over the course of the book Patria quickly undergoes several momentous changes as she alters her political stance and values.
During the beginning of the

story Patria Mirabal is perceived as a saintly individual who is dedicated to becoming a religious figure, but some of her values and opinions briskly change once she finds what she truly wants to pursue in life. Patria is sent the school Immaculada Concepcion at age fourteen to fulfill her childhood dream of becoming a nun: “I’d write out my religious name in all kinds of scripts -Sor Mercedes-” (44). This quote shows that Patria has wanted to be a nun from a young age since she is referring to her childhood in the quote. Patria works her way towards becoming a nun until the age of sixteen when she meets Pedrito. Once Patria washes Pedrito’s feet at a liturgical service she instantly finds herself no longer interested in the potential career she had worked for. Patria desires to change in order to fulfill her want for a husband. After Patrias encounters Pedrito she does not return to Immaculada Concepcion, instead, she becomes a wife. The brief decision that Patria makes here shows a quick change in her values; her once important ambition to be a nun is suddenly transformed into her desire to settle down and be married. Even though Patria’s decision was sudden it is easy to see that she truly loves Pedrito when she says, “I had the next best thing to Jesus, my earthly groom” (48). This quote is a clear example of how Patria is undergoing a significant change because she is centering her focus more towards Pedrito and less towards God. She even goes as far as to call him the next best thing to Jesus. This comparison shows how highly Patria thinks of Pedrito. In the past Patria most likely wouldn't have compared anyone to God because of her deep religious devotion. As Patria changes her decisions about her values and lifestyle choices, it becomes evident that she has quickly evolved from a caterpillar into a butterfly.
In chapter 8 of In the Time of the Butterflies Patria encounters another change of heart while on church retreat.

Although Patria is concerned with the regime she isn’t on board with the revolution yet, unlike her sisters Minerva and Mate. While on the church retreat Patria watches a boy get shot in the back by guards. She is so stricken by his death that she feels like she has lost another child, “My stillborn of thirteen years ago. My murdered son of a few hours ago.” (162). Patria is so devastated by the loss of her “son” that she decides for herself that it is time to take action. The unforeseen murder prompts Patria to begin another metamorphosis. Because Patria is so pious and protective over her family it is not expected of her to take part in such a risky movement, but it is those same characteristics that give her the courage to resist the regime. The concern for the well being of her family and the involvement of the church in the revolution bring Patria to form her new conclusion: “Amen to the revolution” (164). Patria wants a better life for her family and she now sees that the only way to achieve this is through the revolution; she must make a sudden change which is similar to the quick transition of a caterpillar to a butterfly. After some convincing, Patria is able to persuade her husband Pedrito to allow revolutionaries to meet in their backyard and eventually turn their home into a rebel control center. Patria evolves from an innocent bystander to a

revolutionist. Her transition this time seems more logical but it is another quick change that is turning Patria Mirabal into the butterfly she is meant to be.
Throughout certain points of the book Patria encounters situations that prompt a swift transition. The changes that Patria makes to her opinions and values help her to develop as a person similar to the way a caterpillar develops into a butterfly. Meeting Pedrito and the death of the boy are two examples of situations in which Patria suddenly changes. The changes in Patria are significant but occur quickly just like a caterpillar’s change into a butterfly. A butterfly’s change is necessary so that it can move into the next stage of life. Patria’s changes are also needed for her to move into the next phase of her life and shape her into who she is meant to be. Becoming an entirely new person or creature does not require a large amount of time; instead, it requires a need to change.