Barbara Mujica is an American author, short story writer, and critic. Found on Gale Databases is her scholarly review and summary about Julia Alvarez’s novel In the Time of the Butterflies. Mujica’s negative connotation begins right off the bat when she states, “If you weren't an avid admirer of the Mirabal sisters to begin with, Julia Alvarez's new novel In the Time of the Butterflies probably won't change your mind” (Mujica). This statement is over generalized as it may change some minds. To me, the novel enhances the Mirabal sisters for those who have heard of them and for those who have not. The novel gives characteristics and emotions to the girls, allowing readers to get a better understanding of the different reactions and feelings towards Rafael Trujillo’s dictatorship in the Dominican Republic during the 1900s.
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She claims the girls became myths after their deaths, which makes me ponder which of the two different definitions she meant: “a traditional story” or a “widely held but false idea.” I believe the girls are a traditional story because of Julia Alvarez’s novel. She also goes on by saying Alvarez went too far in humanizing the girls because their characters get lost in the boring, unimportant details. This is funny to me because I did not think this while reading the novel. I believe the small details given about the sister’s feelings, actions, descriptions, and personalities makes the story real. Readers are able to relate to a character and make connections because of the specific details included. For example, I was able to connect with Dede because of her actions of not joining the movement. If those minor details were not included, readers would struggle to understand the characters and
She claims the girls became myths after their deaths, which makes me ponder which of the two different definitions she meant: “a traditional story” or a “widely held but false idea.” I believe the girls are a traditional story because of Julia Alvarez’s novel. She also goes on by saying Alvarez went too far in humanizing the girls because their characters get lost in the boring, unimportant details. This is funny to me because I did not think this while reading the novel. I believe the small details given about the sister’s feelings, actions, descriptions, and personalities makes the story real. Readers are able to relate to a character and make connections because of the specific details included. For example, I was able to connect with Dede because of her actions of not joining the movement. If those minor details were not included, readers would struggle to understand the characters and