In the Time of the Butterflies

“As Americans, we want peace -- we work and sacrifice for peace. But there can be no peace if our security depends on the will and whims of a ruthless and aggressive dictator. I'm not willing to stake one American life on trusting Saddam Hussein.” -George W. Bush. President Bush promised America that he would bring down Saddam Hussein no matter what it took. But why? Why would the president make such an imposing promise? In order to ensure the safety of his people (the Americans) such terrorists must be brought down. President Bush was willing to sacrifice the lives of many heroic soldiers to halt terrorism from afflicting this country. Are the lives of these young brave soldiers worth the sacrifice that is needed to bring change into the corrupt government of Iraq? Sacrifice becomes necessary to achieve social change when there is loss of personal freedoms, abuse of power, and physical abuse. This is demonstrated by the revolutions in Nicaragua and Haiti as well as the novel, In the Time of the Butterflies, by Julia Alvarez.

When people are being severely oppressed and they no longer have any freedom, they are likely to sacrifice themselves in the hope of achieving justice. In most nations, people have the freedom to act in their own will. For example, in the United States people are protected by the constitution, which lists the many fair rights of the people. In it, includes freedom of speech, the freedom to press, the freedom to action, freedom of privacy, and almost the freedom to do anything. If these rights are taken away, people will become irate, and eventually they will do anything to get their rights back. In the novel In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez tells the story of Dominican Republicans who have lost their freedoms. Rafael Trujillo, dictator of the country creates a secret police called the SIM, which he uses to protect the government. These secret police go undercover during their job of bringing in any information to the government about people who rebel, or are against Trujillo. Those who are reported will be punished. “ ‘People who opened their big mouths didn’t live very long.’ Sinita said. ‘Like my uncles I told you about. Then two more uncles, and then my father.’ Sinita began crying again. ‘This summer, they killed my brother.’ ” (Pg 18) Sinita, a friend of Minerva’s from Inmaculada Concepcion loses almost all the male members of her family. There are many other families that end up like the tragic way Sinita’s family did. People are not allowed the freedom of speech under Trujillo’s rule, and if they speak out against him, they will all be murdered by the SIM. After hearing Sinita’s story, Minerva realizes the injustice of Trujillo’s regime. She decides to join the underground revolutionary movement even if she has to sacrifice her life. The loss of personal freedoms is often the results of abuse of power.

A government’s duty is to run a country with fair laws and regulations, however, when the leaders themselves are abusing their power, something needs to be done. In order for the people to stop the government from abusing its power, they will sacrifice their lives to achieve social change. Almost all the dictators of Latin American countries abuse their power. In Nicaragua, the Somoza family preserves their power by relying on election fraud, murder, torture, and arrests of any political opposition. They rip off humanitarian aid from relief organizations. The blatant disregard and lack of shame led to the formation of several opposition groups against the Somoza regime. In the novel, Alvarez clearly demonstrates how Trujillo abuses his power. Even though he owns many extravagant mansions, he often deprives the people of Dominican Republic by making laws that are unjust and taking their land and selling them at a low price. Trujillo is notorious for his reputation with women, and how he immorally has relations with many women and girls and he even violates them. When the Maribal family is invited to a private party thrown by Trujillo, Minerva is requested to attend. Even though she does not want to go, Minerva cannot refuse