Part 2, Chapters 5, 6, 7

1/12/2014

Find Chapters 5, 6, 7 here: In the Time of the Butterflies Online

By Thursday, January 16, you should choose one quote that stands out to you from the text, and then compose AT LEAST 2 paragraphs (you may post longer responses) that speak to the significance of your quote as well as these chapters. In addition, you should identify connections you can make. Here are some think questions to get you started. You should address significance, connection and supposition somewhere in your answer, but you also may branch off into other things that speak to you about these two chapters. That was a lot of writing so I'm going to type something happy here before putting more text. I LOVE YOU GUYS! I'M SO EXCITED TO BE READING THIS WITH YOU!

OR you may complete this packet for 5, 6, 7.

By Saturday, January 18, you should respond to at least two other people's writing, keeping significance and connection in mind as well. Try to respond with at least 3 sentences, although you could of course go above and beyond this! You must RESPOND to two people's ideas even if you chose to do the packet.

Significance:
*What happens in these two chapters that feel important? Why do you think they feel important? What parts stand out? Why do you think they stand out?
*What matters about these two chapters?
*Is there any part of these two chapters that give you a clue to why the book as a whole is valuable? What part?
*Why should people care about this story?
*Is this piece relevant to everyone? Who? Who isn’t it relevant to?

Connection:
*How can you connect this piece to current events, to the past or the future?
*What personal connections can you draw to these two chapters? Do these characters remind you of anyone or anything in your own life?
*How does any part of this connect to any other areas of your learning? (Maybe other subjects/texts that you have studied in the past or present?)
*Do these two chapters connect to anything that you have read in the past?What? How?
*What other relationships/connections can you draw between these two chapters and your life, the world, other literature, history or other art?

Supposition:
*Make a prediction about what is going to happen next for one or two of the characters.
*Which events in the book had a major influence on the direction of the characters?

83 Comments

Nikki

1/15/2014 04:19:43 am

Quote

"She has always been one to number the stars."-Dede

Significance

What happens in these chapters that I feel is important is that we see the shift in beliefs in the Mirabal sisters. Maria Teresa changed her man hatred for love and a revolution, Minerva loses her innocence of love through El Jefe, her papa, and Leo, and other family issues, and Dede has accepted the feeling of indifference over the sadness of her past. I feel like this is important to look at because we can see that progressively, time changes us. Whether that be for better or for worse. For example, in chapter 7 we learn of Minervas dreams. In one of her final mentionings we learn that after she takes out all of the dress pieces she sees all the men she's have known, last being her father, and he is slowly fading away. Representing that after time has past, we move on. Knowing or unknowingly, time makes our perspectives on things change & shift.

Connection

When Dede mentions the quote, "She had always been able to number the stars." It reminded me of the book Numbering The Stars By Lois Lowry. Numbering the stars is about the escape of a Jewish family from Copenhagen during Occupation of Denmark on Second World War because of the Holocaust. It really reflects the limitations people started putting of their dreams and wishes because of the world circumstances around them. Kind of like how Maria Teresa put limitations on her finding love because she claimed she was 23 and didn’t have a novio .

Supposition

I think we're going to revisit Patria in the next coming chapters and that she might be having marriage problems. And because of those marriage problems, Patria somehow gets involved in the revolution (along with all of her other sisters) and El Jefe starts to find out and plans to “take care” of the sisters.

Gabriela Schnepp link

1/19/2014 03:25:43 am

Nikki,

I really liked how you summed up the chapters. I also liked your connection. I found it interesting how you were able connect the story with not just the name, but events that took place as well. I agree that there are a lot of limitations on the people in either book.

Evan Mark

1/15/2014 07:41:12 am

Quote: I saw his shoulders droop. I heard him sigh. Right then and there, it hit me harder than his slap: I was much stronger than Papa, Mama was much stronger. He was the weakest one of all.

Supposition: I think Patria will be the next sister to “officially” join the revolution. I think she is going to realize she doesn’t want her kids (who are now older) to live their entire lives in a world in fear. She will want to stop Trujillo, just so that her kids can die without fear, and also so their grandchildren can grow up in a time without fear.

Significance: Mate joins the revolution. Another sister has joined in the fight for freedom.

Peter Fisher link

1/18/2014 12:38:32 pm

I think that you are absolutely correct that Patria will be the next sister to officially join the revolution. Because she is so religious, I think that her religion will be another factor, it is most likely that the three sisters who were murdered by Trujillo for being politicized would be the first three to join the revolution. It's a little poignant, but unfortunately true. I disagree that her children dying without fear will be a factor, though; after seeing the decaying corpse of her dead baby, her children's' deaths would probably be the last things she would be predisposed to think about.

Ashley Seymour link

1/19/2014 12:07:41 pm

Hey Evan,
I think the supposition you thought is really interesting because I agree that Patria doesn't want her children to grow up in a world of fear. Don't forget to do the connection next time

Anna Ryburn

1/20/2014 12:52:04 pm

Hi Evan,
I like your supposition. I agree that Patria will most likely be the next to join the revolution, not only because she wants her children to live in a better world, but because Minerva's political views have started to get to her. Also, Dede is even less politicized than Patria, even saying herself at one point that she thinks politics are more for men.

Aaron Nguyen link

1/20/2014 01:40:17 pm

Evan!
I feel like your supposition is very reasonable! Since Dede seems to be the least politicized, it's only a matter of time before Patria joins the revolution! When I was reading, I couldn't help but notice the same thing! However, I felt like her deep connection to god would conflict with her feelings. Great minds think alike! Great job!

Sophie Godarzi link

1/15/2014 09:49:39 am

Quote: "What a shock, then, when Minerva got handed the law degree but not the license to practice. Here we all thought El Jefe had relented against our family and let Minerva enroll in law school. But really what he was planning all along was to let her study for five whole years only to render that degree useless in the end. How cruel!"

Significance:
I think what is important in these past three chapters is the involvement of Dede, Minerva, and Patria. Dede in my opinion at the moment is the least political from all the sister's just listed. Dede was looking through newspapers to cure her curiosity, but eventually she stopped because her happiness was more important to her. Minerva was planning to run away with Leo, but her father and Dede destroyed or kept the letters away from her. Minerva also spoke against Jefe in spite to get a law degree, which she could not use. Later on, she joined a secret society that wants to overthrow the government. Which leads on to Patrica, Patrica joins the secret society and is planning to create a bombing device. There she finds her lover, "Palomino". Another EXTREMELY important part was that the sister's beloved had passed away.

Connection:
I can connect Minerva to Malala because Minerva and Malala are activists and although they rebel for different subjects they both regard education as a important path in their lives. They both are very brave individuals.

Gabriela Schnepp link

1/19/2014 03:29:00 am

Sophie,

I found it interesting how you made a connection not to another piece of literature, but to real life. You are absolutely correct about Minerva and Malala. Both of them value education and are willing to fight for it no matter what.

Johana Guatemala link

1/20/2014 08:25:14 am

Hey Sophie,

Your connection of Malala is dead on even though they both have their differences. I related Minerva to Lina since El Jefe tries doing the same thing he did to Lina to Minerva. The sisters really become politicized in theses chapters. Is it only first hand evidence that causes people to lose fear and decide something else is more important?

Natasha Oslinger link

1/15/2014 09:59:35 am

Quote:
"Why Dedé," he said, "It's not courage. It's common sense."
Common sense? Sitting around dreaming while the secret police hunt you down!

Significance:
These chapters are important because we really see the sister change and grow through out them. Minerva, who once loved and respected her father, has caught her dad with another woman, and family, causing her to loose all respect of him. Maria Teresa, who once said she disspised men, has now fallen in love with two, and the once oblivious and innocent girl has joined the revolution. I feel this quote connects well to the story because Minerva has now had two encounters with Trujillo, and both times, events transpired that were not to Trujillo's liking. When they first meet, Minerva's friend Sinitta insults and almost attacks Trujillo, then when they meet again, Minerva refuses to sleep with him, and slaps him. Now, Trujillo and his secret police have probably notices the Mirabal sisters, and they need to be especially careful with what they say and do.

Connection:
I can connect the way the Mirabal sisters must be weary of the secret police to the way Anne Frank had to hide from the police during the Holocaust. Anne had to be be quite, and careful not to draw any attention to herself or else her and her family would be sent to a concentration camp. Where as if one of the Mirabal sisters spoke or acted out of line, or did something to upset Trujillo (who like Hitler was a dictator) they and their family would be executed.

Supposition:
Next, I think one of the other sister will become noticed by or involved with Trujillo. He has already met Minerva, who he now doesn't like for not sleeping with him, next I think he will want to be with another sister. I also think Patria will join the revolution.

Gabriela Schnepp link

1/15/2014 11:11:10 am

'He strokes his short, brush mustache with his fingers, musing. His gaze falls on the dice. Slowly, his lips twist in a wily smile. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll let you toss for the privilege. You win, you get your wish. I win, I get mine.”'

Significance: In these two chapters, we learn even more about the lives of the sisters. We can begin to see their changing ideas and the struggles that they're facing. Their thoughts from when they were small have morphed into mature beliefs and ideas. They are now facing difficulties and realizing just how bad Trujillo can be.

Connection: When Minerva's Papa cheats on her mother and then slaps Minerva for 'not showing respect to him,' I can make a connection to the book, 'The Great Gatsby.' One of the major characters, Tom, is cheating on his wife Daisy. When Daisy falls for another man named Jay Gatsby, Tom gets all angry and rants about 'losing important family values' and about 'Daisy being unfaithful.'
._.
Dude. Just... No.

Natalie Au link

1/18/2014 01:53:00 pm

Dear Gabriela,
I really like how reflective you were when commenting about the growth of maturity of the Mirabal sisters. I also really like how you connected the book to The Great Gatsby. I agree with your connection, and also that the Mirabal girls are developing their own ideas and beliefs.

Anna Ryburn

1/20/2014 12:55:31 pm

Hi, Gabby!
I really like your connection to 'The Great Gatsby', with Tom having an affair just like Minerva's dad. I also find your quote to be very significant, because it shows just how manipulative and twisted Trujillo can be. I think it really captures just how much of a creep he can be!

Lizzy Young

1/16/2014 06:45:18 am

Natasha,
I agree that the Mirabel sisters are now under watch of Trujillo and will very easily get themselves into serious trouble. In my opinion, the fate of the Mirabel sisters is in the hands of Minerva, the one Trujillo wants. If she plays her cards right, she can satisfy Trujillo, stick to her own standards, and keep her family under Trujillo's radar.

Zach Schroeder

1/15/2014 10:12:24 am

I couldn't find the quote, but its the part where Minerva is going to roll the dice with Trujillo to either sleep with her if he wins or goes to school to be a lawyer if she wins.

Significance... This quote really shows how desperate she was to go to school. Its was a 50/50 chance that she was going to have to stay with Trujillo or get to live her life. I thought that this was really brave of her.

Connection... I connected this to Malala. She fights for what she believed in, which was education as well. I thought they were similar because they were both putting there lives on the line to strive to go for what they believe in. They are two very brave people.

Tanner Ragan link

1/15/2014 01:24:11 pm

Zach,
I liked how you connected Malala and Minerva on for the same reason which was education. The dice rolling showing that Minerva isn't afraid as Malala isn't afraid of the Taliban.

Lizzy Young

1/16/2014 06:51:16 am

Zach,
I think that Minerva was depending on winning the dice roll and it would of been nice for her to go to law school and would be unfortunate in other circumstances, but I don't think she really had a choice. If she wouldn't have played Trujillo's game, she would suffer more serious consequences. I do agree however, that the dice roll was a brave act on Minerva's part. She could have let her pride take over her and not roll the dice and in turn, put her entire family in danger, but she took the risk of harming herself in order to do the right thing for her family.

Josh Chiero link

1/20/2014 12:34:52 pm

Zach,
I also chose the same quote and can see the meaning and importance of it. She really was passionate to go to school and wanted nothing else. I also agree she was very brave

Eli Steria

1/27/2014 04:49:43 am

Hey Zach!

I thought this was very interesting that you pick that part of the book to talk about and wish to see more in your response. Great job with connecting yourself with Malala. I also think that standing up for what you believe in is very important in this day and time.

Ashley Seymour link

1/15/2014 11:05:31 am

Quote:
I’d jump in the Jeep and roar off into the countryside, my foot pressing heavily down on the gas as if speed could set me free.

Significance:
Chapters 5,6&7 I feel is important because we learn more and more about the Mirable Sisters that we would've never expected or guess. For an example, in the beginning of the book we read about how close Dede and her sisters are to God and their religion but now we see that the struggles in a few of their lives can change everything. I chose this quote because I feel that sometimes we all get frustrated or feel trapped and we try to take it out on other things like how she was stepping on the gas trying to free herself from her life. We also see in these chapters how the sisters are going up but still make mistakes or aren't absolutely sure about certain things. When Dede started second guessing her marriage with Jamito is an example of them growing up.

Connection:
I can connect these chapters to Romeo and Juliet because when Jaumito is asking dede to marry him she was telling him to leave before they get in trouble and in Romeo and Juliet it reminds me of the balcony seen when Juliet was telling Romeo to leave before somebody catches Romeo at her house. I can also connect this to the holocuast because during the holocuast you weren't allowed to wear or look a certain way and so when it became illegal to were khaki trousers and same color shirts it reminded me of the Holocust right away.

Supposition:
I think we can predict that since Dede father died she might reconnect with God and her religion and Patria might have problems with her husband.

Jasmin Diaz link

1/16/2014 08:46:35 am

Ashley

I really like the quote you picked and the significance of how important the quote is. I never really thought about how we all get frustrated and it really made me think that everyone has those moments. I also like the connection you made with Romeo & Juliet, I didn't even have R&J in my mind until you mentioned it. Great job!

Loren Cloes link

1/15/2014 11:22:01 am

Quote:
"You're going to fight everyone's fight, aren't you?" "It's all the same fight, Mama," I tell her

Significance:
In these three chapters a lot happens. In chapter 5 Dede meets Lio when she is working at her father’s shop with Minerva. And as soon as they met Lio the trouble began. Also Dede is engaged. In chapter 6 Minerva meets her father’s other family, his wife and her half sisters, and she is invited to a private party. In chapter 7 Maria Teresa begins a new diary that she got for her birthday. The quote above is significant because it is telling the readers that Minerva is starting to get into trouble with Trujillo. Also it says a lot about her character, and how she is the sister that takes pride in her family and her actions, but does not always know best.

Supposition:
I predict that Minerva's curiosity about one of the missing boys out of thirteen is going to get her into trouble with Trujillo even more. Also I think that since Maria Teresa is having trouble deciding which boy she loves and wants to be with, that in the end she will end up with neither of them.

Jasmin Diaz link

1/16/2014 08:39:50 am

Hey Loren!

I really like the significance you wrote about the quote, but I would've liked to see you write more about chapter seven instead of just Maria Teresa getting a book. A lot more has happened in that chapter that is much more important. I also enjoy the supposition you made because it shows what you really think is going to happen, but I would've liked to see a connection you made. Overall, you did a great job!

zach schroeder

1/20/2014 06:01:09 am

Loren, I really like your predictions for Minerva. Especially with the missing boys. I agree that will all the commotion she will end up with neither of the boys.

Josh Chiero link

1/15/2014 12:03:03 pm

Quote: “You wouldn’t have to play,” he flirts. “Just stand on our side and distract those wolves with your pretty face!”

Significance: In these three chapters we learned a ton about the Mirabal sisters. A lot of events relating to love happen in these chapters such as Maria and Minerva. During one of the chapters, the Mirabals attend a party at Trujillo's house and they leave early which gets them in trouble. Papa is thrown in jail for a while and when released they go to Trujillo's office. Minerva ends up rolling a dice which will decide if she will go to law school or sleep with Trujillo. She wins and goes off to law school where she meets her husband. I chose this quote because it shows that love that is shown in these chapters between the sisters and their husband/crushes

Connection:
I connect this to Night when the one man was playing his violin. The SS officers didn't allow him to have this and nobody had any personal items except him. He did what makes him happy in the saddest times. Trujillo doesn't allow people to do what they want and controls everyone. It also relates to Ai WeiWei who is a Chinese artist who creates political pieces which his government doesn't like. He is not allowed to leave China and is under surveillance at home. Trujillo also always wants to know whats happening in his town.

Josh Chiero link

1/15/2014 12:06:58 pm

Supposition:
I believe in the next chapters Dede will start talking about the grim part of her life and the death of her sisters. One of the sisters involvement with Trujillo will become stronger and he is going to do something bad to her.

Nikki

1/16/2014 11:15:18 am

Hey Josh!
I think your connection to night is really strong. I would like to see though if you could connect it somehow relate it to your theme of love. Like perhaps expanding on the love between Maria and her papa and how it relates to the love that Ai WeiWei towards his political views. Overall I think you did a fantastic job connecting and pulling out the significance in these chapters :)

Aaron Nguyen link

1/15/2014 12:28:55 pm

Quote: "I don't want to be babied anymore. I want to be worthy of Palomino. Suddenly, all the boys I've known with soft hands and easy lives seem like the pretty dolls I've outgrown and passed on to Minou."

Significance: These three chapters really show the growth in the sisters. For example, Maria, who we once saw as a child, is already 22 years old and is going to get married. Minerva, the rebellious young woman, now an adult, married, and pregnant. Patria seems to have an "old" feeling to her. Dede has grown quite a bit as well. However, the biggest change is with Maria. She is starting to grow up throughout the novel, and is practically an adult now.

Connection: I can connect Maria to Prim from the hunger games series. By Mocking jay, Prim was already grown past her childish features, and was more than willing to fight in the revolution. Maria was also a little child who eventually grew out of her shell and wanted to fight in a revolution at such a young age. I felt like the two scenarios were almost identical.

Supposition: I am foreshadowing that Trujillo will have to do something with Maria's wedding, possibly ruining or crashing it,

Tanner Ragan link

1/15/2014 01:18:00 pm

Aaron,
I love your connection with Prim and Maria. I believe it's 100% accurate based on their growth from young to old and how they get involved

Sol Manuel Garza

1/19/2014 12:37:40 am

Hi Aaron.
I enjoyed reading your post. I agree with your statement that Maria has changed the most. I think that the reason we notice how much Maria has changed is partially because of the writing style of most of her chapters. The reader has a closer relationship to Maria because we have seen her thoughts change through her journal entries. Where as Minerva has always had a rebellious spirit, Maria started with a shy spirit and changed to a rebellious spirit. I think you are correct to say that Minerva is growing up.

Zach Schroeder

1/20/2014 06:32:57 am

Aaron, I really like how you connected it to prim from the hunger games. That was a very interesting way of putting it. I do too agree that Trujillo will try and do something to the wedding,

Lizzy Young link

1/15/2014 12:49:52 pm

"But without a plan Dede's courage unraveled like a row of stitches not finished with a food sturdy knot."

Significance: I think that it is significant when you find out that Papa has been with another woman. Even I was surprised to find out that a kind man like Papa could do such a thing. He seems to have such a strong love for his family that I wouldn't think that he would feel the need to go seeking other women. I think this affected Minerva pretty strongly, per her reaction, and I think that even though Mama doesn't admit she knows whats going on, she knows whats happening and it does sadden her. I think that it also made Minerva feel jealous that her time with her dad was being divided between her and another family and other daughters he had. I think that Maria Teresa felt the same way when the daughters and the mother were at Papas funeral, but I also think that, no matter how hard it is for her to accept it, he was their dad too, and they deserved to be there as much as she did.

Connection: I can connect to this because before I was born, my dad had another daughter who he raised as a little girl. I have not met her, but even today when I hear stories about her childhood with my dad, I can't help but feel jealous. All of my life I was "Daddy's little girl" and when I hear about stories when my sister was the only daughter, I get a little jealous. I know it sounds bad but, I would never want to take those memories away from her or my dad. In fact, I am glad they have those memories with each other, he is her dad too after all. I am glad that my sister got the time she did with my dad because I know how much of a great dad he is, and no matter how much I don't like sharing him, I am glad my sister got to grow up with him around.

Supposition: I think that Minerva with encounter Trujillo again and possibly become one of his mistresses, but at the same time, I feel like she would totally rebel against him like she did at the party. I think the whole situation with Minerva and Trujillo at the party had a big influence on the plot and what's going to happen next.

Lizzy Young link

1/15/2014 12:53:35 pm

Quote: "I can't believe she came to the funeral mass with her girls, adding four more slaps to her big blow... I asked Minerva who invited them. All she said was they were Papa's daughters,too."

Bonnie May link

1/16/2014 03:11:22 am

Hey Lizzy!
I really liked your commentary on these 3 chapters was very insightful and I too did not expect that Papa would have cheated on Mama. They appeared to be a strong family with certain values, which makes me wonder what happened between them that caused Papa to seek another woman. I also think that your connection was very personal, honest, and sweet. I don't know what I would do in Minerva's situation, but I know I would be jealous. I like that you brought your own experience and perspective to compare to their situation. I also agree with you in that I believe that Minerva and Trujillo will met again in the future, perhaps not in a good context. I think he wants to pull her down and show his power, but I think she is strong and willing to fight back.

Natalie Au link

1/18/2014 02:01:49 pm

Hi Lizzy!

I love your connection! I love how you were able to connect your own personal experiences with ITTOTB. A lot of people have connected parts from this book to things that we read and so its really nice to read someones that is about them. I love that you said even though you feel a little jealous when hearing stories about your sister, your glad she got to have your father around.

Chase Leon

1/15/2014 12:55:11 pm

Significance:
Minerva goes and visits her father and he slaps her in the face. But then Trujillo gets sexually aggressive and Minerva slaps him. Mate turns 18 and found out his father died. When at the funeral he finds out about his 2nd family at his funeral. Feels it's shameful that he didn't know. What part stood out was when Minerva does to her father and he slaps her in the face. I thought it was very power that a father would do that to their daughter. It stood out because it doesn't happen very often and it should never happen to anyone. What matters was there was a lot of death and violence between the chapters I thought. In the chapters it does tell because there has a lot been going on through the chapters like violence such as slapping and death. So there is a lot of the part of these parts in chapter 6 and 7. Why people should care is because it gives other peoples perspective and it think its interesting how this is made.

Connection:
How I can connect it with today is that a lot of people get abused by their own family members or the people who birthed them. It happens a lot now and days because of all of the violence around us. I can’t make any personal connections. None of these characters remind me of anyone in my life. I don’t think it connects with any subjects or texts from areas of learning. It doesn't relate to anything because I don’t read on my own time. Only for school. These three chapters relate to real life because there is abuse, you could find family members you never knew you had before like my dad did, and now there is a lot of sexuality in this world just like Trujillo.

Supposition:
What I think is going to happen is Trujillo is going to get in trouble with both Minerva and the law because of his actions. What event had a major influence was Trujillo because he always creates a lot of stur in everything happening lately.

Nikki

1/16/2014 11:33:58 am

Hello Chase!
I love the honesty in your connection! It's super relatable. (Like I totally relate to you on the reading!) I also see ungratefulness & abuse in families all around me and its really sad to think that some people are capable of that. Overall get job on finding the significance in these chapters and making relatable connections :)

Tanner Ragan link

1/15/2014 01:15:28 pm

Quote: "We've traveled almost the full length of the island and can report that every corner of it is wet, every river overflows its banks, every rain barrel is filled to the brim, every wall washed clean of writing no one knows how to read anyway."

Significance: All of this happened because Dede met a man named Lio. Lio was a communist and went into exile and was being chased by the police. Jaimito proposed to Dede and agreed to marry Jaimito. Lio gave the letter to Dede to give to Minerva saying she is invited to join him in exile. Dede burned the letter. This part of chapter 5 explains the beginning of the problems I believe. It's also important for Dede to burn the letter in the end because it alters the story than Dede giving Minerva the letter. In chapter 6, Minerva found out about her invitation to exile and lost her father's respect. Minerva then went to a party Trujillo hosted with her family. Minerva slaps Trujillo in the face and leaves the party. Next day, the father was arrested because it was illegal to leave the party before Trujillo. Minerva made a bet with dices against Trujillo to go to the University and won. When Minerva slapped Trujillo in the face, it sets the terms of their relationship. In chapter 7, Minerva fell in love with Manolo who cheated on her after marriage. It said Minerva thanked Maria for saving their relationship and that the struggle helped them get closer. Maria met a man one night and didn't know who he was. Next day, Minerva and Manolo told her that they are in a forming national underground and Maria wanted to join. Leandro wanted to stay and felt to protect Maria and married on valentines day. This chapter most importantly got Maria involved with Trujillo's plans. Before, Maria loved Trujillo and was almost like worshiping him saying he is the best and after, she is fighting against him.

Connection: I can connect this to the Hunger Games when Katniss and Peeta held out the poison berries as an act of defiance causing them to be on the top list of Snow White as Minerva slapping Trujillo defying his needs and didn't send her to prison but saved something even worse for her.

Supposition: I believe that causing Maria to get involved in with Trujillo, there would be an effect that causes Minerva to regret her decision to let Maria join.

Sol Manuel Garza

1/19/2014 12:24:52 am

Hello Tanner.
I like your supposition. I agree that Minerva will regret letting Maria join the resistance. I think that this is because Maria is so puny and fragile. She is the youngest daughter and when Minerva let her join, she put her little sister in more danger than she realizes. Because she is the youngest, I wonder if Maria will be used by Trujillo's regime to lure the other Mirabal sisters to their deaths.

Celina Enriquez link

1/15/2014 01:33:56 pm

"She has always been one to number the stars."

Significance

What happens in these chapters that I feel is important is that we figure out that the beliefs have been able to grasp the Mirabal sisters.
Chapter 6: Three years after graduating Inmaculada, she is bored at home and decides that she wants to attend law school. She discovers that her father has four illegitimate daughters and that he has been hiding Lío's letters to her. t begins to rain, and the Mirabals leave the party, even though it is against the law to do so. Minerva forgets her purse, which contains Lío's letters. Enrique Mirabal is soon arrested. After many weeks, Minerva and her mother secure his release by apologizing to Trujillo personally.

Chapter 7: She discusses her father's death in 1953, her romantic dilemmas, Minerva's experiences in law school, and her own experiences at college. Minerva marries Manolo Tavárez, has a daughter and earns her law degree, but Trujillo refuses her a license to practice. During the summer, María Teresa stays with Minerva's family. Minerva and Manolo have marital problems until they become involved in an underground movement against Trujillo, this helps them set aside their differences and come together. They explain the movement to María Teresa and reveal their code names. Minerva is Mariposa, or Butterfly which is their under cover name. María Teresa then joins them, largely because of her feelings for Leandro Guzmán, AKA Palomino, a man in the movement. She becomes Mariposa #2 or Butterfly #2. She marries Leandro on February 14, 1958.

CHAPTER 8: Patria narrates chapter 8, which covers 1959. She becomes pregnant and decides to name the child Raúl Ernesto after the Cuban revolutionaries Raúl Castro. The movement needs a place to meet, and Patria offers them her farm. Patria goes on a religious retreat. On June 14, the retreat is bombed when Trujillo's forces attack rebels hiding in the mountains. Patria watches a small boy die. She vows to help in the resistance, and she convinces Pedrito to do the same, though they will lose their farm if they are caught. Her father has been the least of her worries after he finds out that he has another family, and he is slowly fading away. After time has passed we tend to learn to move on and start fresh. Having as much time makes our views on things change consistently.

Connection: Minerva and Malala are both trying to rebel in which both regard education as an important stance that tends to have an effect on their lives. They are able to show bravery within themselves.

Nidhal Dawood

1/16/2014 11:12:30 am

Celina,

So in a way I can relate to you because of Minerva being on the careless behavior rebel kind of lady however Malala was not trying to do any wrong whatsoever but fight for her rights. She did not care what anyone else had to say about her race, age, or that she was a woman, all she cared about was having a great education.

Jasmin Diaz link

1/15/2014 01:38:39 pm

Quote:

"I knew where to find him all right. Now that Papa was doing so well, he had a second car, a Jeep. I knew damn well he wasn't reviewing the fields if he had taken the Ford, not the Jeep. I headed straight for the yellow house."

Significance:

In the 5th chapter, we look into the past of Dede and her relationship with Minerva, Lio and Jaimito. She has more courage when she's around Lio and Jaimito, her cousin, proposes to do Dede, which she gladly accepts. In chapter 6, Minerva finds out that her father was involved with another woman and had four other sisters she didn't know about. Her papa, Dede, Jaimito, Patria, Pedrito and herself go to a private party at one of Trujillo's mansions. Trujillo has Minerva sit at his table and dances with her. Later on, Minerva is questioned and her father is imprisoned. In chapter 7, Maria Teresa gets a new diary from Minerva to help her deal with the loss of her father. In this chapter we learn that Maria can't decide which cousin she wants to marry, Berto or Raul and decides she doesn't either one. She goes to the university with Minerva to study law, but gets bored and switches to Philosophy and Letters. Minerva gets married to Manolo and has a child. Maria Teresa joined a revolution as Mariposa #2 and now has eyes for Palomino. The quote I chose is significant because it shows us that even the most trusted of people are not to be trusted. Minerva's father betrayed their family and went to another woman and had four other kids. This shows that the most trusted of people have their own secrets.

Connection:

I can connect this quote to the book "The Great Gatsby" because even though Daisy is married, she cheats on her husband to be with Gatsby. This is exactly what Minerva's father did, he was married to her mother, but cheated on her and had other kids. He was living a double life and Minerva's mother knew about it. Daisy's husband also saw that she had feelings for Gatsby and kept running off with him. He was jealous even though he was doing the same exact thing with Daisy. He cheated on her with another woman who lived in a different area. Their are many connections I can make with "The Great Gatsby", but this is the most important connection.

Supposition:

I predict that Trujillo will find out about Minerva and Maria Teresa's involvement with the Revolution. He will have guards take them to him for questioning and then they will be killed. I think Patria will be dragged into this somehow and also be killed along with them.

Bonnie May link

1/16/2014 03:16:52 am

Jasmin-
I liked your explanation of the important parts of these chapters and connections you made to "The Great Gatsby". I hadn't really thought of that book until you mentioned it, but there are a lot of comparisons such as the way Papa cheated on Mama. I also agree with you and I think that Trujillo is going to find out that the sisters are part of the revolution. He is already suspicious of the family, especially Minerva, and if he found them out he will no doubt kill them.

Loren Cloes

1/17/2014 09:40:18 am

Hey Jazzy!
I really like your prediction. I think your right and that they will eventual be killed. Also I think that your connection is really good. Well done Jasmin.

Celina Enriquez link

1/15/2014 01:45:13 pm

To find out that Minerva's father had started another family with another woman was shocking, I didn't think that there father would do such harm because he seemed to care about his daughters. I find it interesting how it does no harm to the mother of the Mirabal sisters when she finds out what her husband had done to her. I felt that Minerva and Maria Teresa were expressing jealousy because her father had been shared. I feel that it was hard for them to accept him all along but to be in occurrence of his life would help as a whole.

Anna Ryburn

1/15/2014 01:49:01 pm

QUOTE: "He strokes his short, brush mustache with his fingers, musing. His gaze falls on the dice. Slowly, his lips twist in a wily smile. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll let you toss for the privilege. You win, you get your wish. I win, I get mine."

SIGNIFICANCE: In these chapters, we watch the rest of the sisters grow into adults. Dede and Minerva meet Jaimito's friend, Lio, who is a communist. Dede starts to court with Jaimito, and he ends up proposing to her. What stood out to me the most was during chapter six, which is from Minerva's point of view. She finds out not only that her father has been hiding letters from Lio, but that he is cheating on her mother and has four children with his mistress. Things go even farther downhill when she and her father are invited to one of Trujillo's parties, and Trujillo tries to make unwelcome advances on Minerva. This prompts her to slap him, but surprisingly he doesn't seem to get angry at her.

Unfortunately, the advances continue even after the party, such as when the family is summoned to his office. When Minerva asks to get her college education, he asks her to roll dice with him, and if she wins, she will get her education, but if her wins, she would become his mistress. Later, Minerva gets married, their father dies, and the story moves on to Maria Teresa's point of view. She is writing from a diary again, and at first mostly talks about things like Minerva's wedding, their father's death, and going to school. Then, she gets involved in the underground movement, and meets a man named Leandro, who she falls in love with.

SUPPOSITION: I think that the nightmares about the wedding dress in the casket Maria has will somehow foretell what will happen to her in the future. Also, I think someone from the government will uncover the plans involving Maria and/or Leandro.

Peter Fisher link

1/15/2014 01:59:39 pm

Quote:
"Also, Galindez had already escaped to New York so everyone thought he was safe. But somehow El Jefe found out Galindez was writing a book against the regime. ... Next thing you know, he's walking home one night, and he disappears (Alvarez 136)."

Significance:
The first chapter gave us the viewpoint of Dede from the past, which is the only one of the sisters we have not heard about yet. It told the story of her falling in love with and marrying Jaimito. There was another drama, though, that did not concern Dede as much; Minerva befriended Virgilio Morales, who was a major dissident to Trujillo's rule. It was he who introduced her to revolution, and ultimately got the ball of fate rolling. The sixth chapter is from Minerva's point of view; she is summoned to one of Trujillo's parties, at which she affronts him. Shortly after, her father is arrested, and she spends a week in a hotel trying to get him back, which she only succeeds in doing after attending a private conference with Trujillo. The seventh chapter, from Maria Teresa's perspective, includes Minerva's and her own marriages - all of the sisters now have husbands - and first Minerva's induction into the resistance movement, then her own.

I was correct in my supposition that we would have a chapter from Dede's perspective, then things would begin to happen in ernest, beginning with Minerva. It turns out, though, that Patria was not yet politicized; Maria Teresa was Minerva's first follower. These chapters are significant because they lay the ground-work for the fates of the four sisters, and show the beginning of their revolution movements. They also show the marriages of three of the sisters, which may become very important later on, or may just give insight into the lives of the sisters, so that the readers can better understand them.

Connection:
The quote that I chose surprised me, because at that point Galindez was in another country. Did Trujillo really murder or kidnap someone in another country? If so, Galindez' disappearance must have at least made the newspaper, and someone probably made a connection to Trujillo; why did no one in the United States react? Trujillo probably broke at least one international law in murdering someone in another country, even if that person was originally from the Dominican Republic. I am reminded of a book titled Patriot Games, by Tom Clancy, in which a man named Jack Ryan foils a plot by a terrorist group in Britian, who actually travel to the United States and assault him and his family. This is very similar to what Trujillo did; a man offended him, and traveled to another country, but Trujillo had him killed anyways. The only difference is thus: the FBI and CIA respond to the assassination attempt in Patriot Games, yet in real life, the United States made no response to Galindez' "disappearance."

Supposition:
I suppose that the next two chapters will be from the perspectives of Patria and Dede, and that for the rest of the book the cycle of Dede-Minerva-Maria Teresa-Patria will continue. More immediately to the plot, I assume that the name of Virgilio Morales will come up again; positive evidence will be given either for his escape or his capture. This evidence will have a direct affect on the lives and decisions of Minerva and Maria Teresa.

Scot Wade link

1/15/2014 02:57:30 pm

Quote:
“I’ll tell you what. I’ll let you toss for the privilege. You win, you get your wish. I win, I get mine.”

Significance:
In this chapter, many things happen, like Minerva meets a boy named Lio who was a communist. Lio gave Minerva letters. Minerva was invited to Trujillo's party, but when Trujillo makes a rude remark about conquering her, she slaps him and leaves. "Papa" was taken into custody for questioning. This particular quote is when Minerva Gets to walk free from Trujillio's weird sex game.
Connection:
I connection this quote to Rosa Parks. I noticed that they both held strong over a tough time. Minerva had a really high chance of her hole life being ruined by just a little game. But in the end I noticed that Rosa and Minerva both stood up and kept on going.
Supposition:
I think Trujillo is going to have it out for the other sisters. Also I think he will end up with another of the sisters as his mistress.

Miranda Vega link

1/16/2014 10:43:22 am

Scot,
I love how you were able to connect Minerva to Rosa Parks! That was an amazing connection that I haven't thought about, it was very creative. Considering that Trujillo does already look at Minerva in the same light as Lina, I agree with your supposition. Great writing!

Sophie Godarzi link

1/18/2014 01:14:41 am

Hi Scot,
I really like how you connected both Minerva and Rosa Parks to each other. I agree with this fully. Also I really like how you explained all the parts that stood out to you. Good job!

Daniela Canseco

1/20/2014 01:07:50 pm

Dear Scot,
I like how detailed your significance paragraph because even though it was short it gave me a good recap of what happened in the chapter. I also really like your connection because it is very different from others, good job.

Daniela Canseco

1/15/2014 03:28:26 pm

"Trujillo is the law", Papa whispered, as we all did nowadays when we pronounced the dreaded name.
Significance: During these chapters 5,6, and 7 I feel there has been a lot of different emotions. I think this quote is important because it basically says people are scared of Trujillo. I think if anybody who hasn't read this book yet would right away know that this book was about dictatorship or a bad guy in control because of the way it says Trujillo is the law which means that he has a lot of control. My favorite chapter out of these three was 5 because it talks about Dede's life. I think it's interesting because she is talking about things that she well remembers during an interview. Something that stuck out me the most was her relationship with her cousin, I was really confused about how they were getting married if they were already related. I thought it was cute that they knew each other since they were babies
Connection: I can connect this to Cuba back then because they were under dictatorship. I was told that it was illegal to leave the country and if you escaped and were caught you would be killed or badly punished. So they had a very strict country because of the dictator leading it. And just like in the story that Lio wasn't allowed in the country because of dictatorship, Cubans weren't allowed out of the country because of dictatorship.

Sandra Mendoza

1/15/2014 04:17:16 pm

I like how you were detailed in showing some important parts of the chapters. I also liked how you stated your favorite chapter. Also how you connected it to Cuba, that was something different and interesting.

Sophie Godarzi link

1/18/2014 01:19:31 am

Hi DC,
I really like how powerful, yet short the quote you chose is. I was also very confused when they mentioned Dede being with her cousin. I think it is very interesting how you related Cuba to Trullijo. Good job!

Annette Garcia

1/15/2014 03:55:46 pm

Quote: "Everyone knew my public sorrow, the lost baby, but none of my private one, my loss of faith"

Significance: In this chapter there are many emotional conflicts going on and this is affecting not only Patria but her family. When her child died she wanted to be left alone she felt empty without her child. She began to lose something she would never thought of losing and that was her faith in God.

Connection: I connected this with the story night and how Elie was so religious and was always with god and when he was busy he would always find time to pray and communicate with god. But once the Holocaust began and bad things started to happen to him he lost faith and he thought god was not listening to his prayers and punishing him, he gave up on god a few times but then he realized that losing faith only made him and his connection with god even stronger than it was before.

Nidhal Dawood

1/16/2014 11:03:12 am

Hey girl !

Yes, I totally understand where your coming from and agree with your connection. Ellie didn't know how powerful his relationship with God was until it was gone. Once he realized he needed him and the feeling at the beginning that was in him that God had forsaken him left when he was saved from the camp at the end of the book. Just like Patria, she is so hurt and scarred that she lost her baby but everything happens for a reason. Maybe God was the one protecting the baby, what if the baby would have been born healthy but a few years later he would die a trajic death? It would cause the mother ( Patria) much more pain because her bond with the son or daughter she could have had would be stronger.

Nidhal Dawood

1/16/2014 11:03:26 am

Hey girl !

Yes, I totally understand where your coming from and agree with your connection. Ellie didn't know how powerful his relationship with God was until it was gone. Once he realized he needed him and the feeling at the beginning that was in him that God had forsaken him left when he was saved from the camp at the end of the book. Just like Patria, she is so hurt and scarred that she lost her baby but everything happens for a reason. Maybe God was the one protecting the baby, what if the baby would have been born healthy but a few years later he would die a tragic death? It would cause the mother ( Patria) much more pain because her bond with the son or daughter she could have had would be stronger.

Sandra Mendoza link

1/16/2014 01:12:54 pm

I like the quote you picked and how you connected it to Elie form Night.
Also, even though it's pretty short you were detailed. It made it easy to notice the connections and important parts.

Daniela Canseco link

1/20/2014 01:03:54 pm

Hey Annette,
I really like the quote you chose because it is a good representation of what happened in this chapter. Your significance is also really detailed and understandable. And your connection is really good because it makes sense, good job.

Sandra Mendoza

1/15/2014 04:13:41 pm

Quote:
“You’re going to fight everyone’s fight, aren't you?”

Significance:
Many important things happened in these chapters like how there dad dies. In chapter five we get to know a little about Dede. Dede is in love a guy named Jaimito and they get engaged. Minerva meets a friend of Jaimito named Lio. Minerva befriended Lio, later they find out he was a communist. In chapter six Minerva finds letters form Lio to her in her dad's pocket. She then realized her dad is cheating on her mom. Later, Minerva goes to a party her dad was invited to and she dances with Trujillo. Trujillo and her talk about Lio and he asks her if she know him. Her dad gets taken away for questioning and later she gets questioned too. In chapter seven we read about Maria Teresa. She starts a different diary that Minerva gave her. In this chapter we really get know Maria Teresa. Like about her love life and how she gets graduated. Also, Minerva get married to a gay she meet in law school called Manolo. Minerva marries him and later she gets pregnant.
Connection:
I can connect this quote to Malala. This connects to Malala because both Minerva and Malala are fighting for what they want and what other people want. Like Malala she wants education so she is fighting for everyone. Here it's not the same thing because Minerva doesn't get attended because she was to busy helping others. But this quote reminds me of Malala because pretty much she is fighting for herself and everyone else.
Supposition:
I think that in the next chapters Lio might show up again and Trujillo will try to do something to the sisters. Maybe Trujillo will find out about Maria Teresa and Minerva being involved in the revolution.

Johana Guatemala link

1/20/2014 08:34:20 am

Hey Sandra,

The quote you chose reminds me of what a lot of people are saying about the USA trying to help Syria and we should not get involved because we are not the worlds police. Your connection of Minerva and Malala is dead on and their differences is what gives each one their own name. Is it first hand evidence the thing that makes people lose fear and realize something else is better?

Johana Guatemala link

1/16/2014 01:30:43 am

Quote: “Trujillo is the law,” Papa whispered, as we all did nowadays when we pronounced the dreaded name.”

Connection: In these chapters, we hear of Lio who is like the bad boy both Minerva and Dede are fascinated by at first by Minerva is the one who ends up with him. The bad boy in any scenario is one who goes against whatever or whoever “the man” is. Another thing I can relate is Minerva to Lina because Trujillo has laid eyes on her the same way he laid eyes on Lina. Also, We get official evidence that the sister’s dad had indeed cheated on their mother more than ten years ago when they went to school.

Supposition: I predict that Trujillo will kill of all of the men in the lives of the sisters including the husbands of each sister causing the girls to really go against Trujillo all out. In order to get to Trujillo, Minerva will let Trujillo court her.

Miranda Vega link

1/16/2014 11:02:00 am

Johana,
I love your supposition. You took what has been happening to other people in the past chapters and made it connect to Minerva and her family. Great job!

Nidhal Dawood

1/16/2014 10:56:13 am

Quote: 'Minou’s eyes flashed with anger, and Minerva herself stood before Dedé again. “I’m my own person. I’m tired of being the daughter of a legend.”

Significance: It is very important to focus on this part of this book because during these chapters there are marriages that go on, mystery's to be solved, and questions to be asked. I feel that the value in this quote speaks out loud because in a way Minou is trying to find herself but people keep reminding her that she needs to be just like her mother and she doesn't want that at all. She wants the responsibility of an individual because Minou wants to feel as independent as possible. In a way I feel that she is a bit full of herself because here she is trying to get rid of all the attention when its just given to her and taking everything for granted in her life, when there's people around her constantly making and effort to be noticed.

Connection: I can connect this to the children of celebrities, because sometimes they feel like they own the whole world and can have anything they want when they want because of fame and fortune their parents provide and spoil them with. Those kids have everything easy they are living a good life while there are other people working hard to reach their goal in the " Hollywood system" weather its singing professionally, dancing, or film acting. Overall I feel like everyone is blessed in their own way some people have to work for what they love and passionate about while others are living the dream of those people but are not yet happy because they haven't found what interests them and NOT their parents. These children will grow up at some point and have dreams to chase of their own.

Supposition: I think that what will happen next is, Minou will soon start to realize that she is more like her mother than she thought and she cannot change that no matter how hard she tries because she's a part of her. Minou will finally listen to what other people have to say about her and just be happy that she is well known around town for good reasons and not bad.

Loren Li Cloes link

1/17/2014 09:54:58 am

Hey Nidhal,
I really like your connection and how you related it to something that most never really think about. Nobody really thinks about the children of celebrities and how their lives are so un structured, the only time a celebrities child is in the news is when they are born or when they get in trouble. Over all your post was great but maybe next time you can reflect on the chapters and a brief expiation on what happened inside of those chapters.

Dominic Dudley link

1/16/2014 12:16:53 pm

Quote: “Trujillo is the law,” Papa whispered, as we all did nowadays when we pronounced the dreaded name.”

Significance: In these 3 chapters, many very important things happen. Papa's other children are discovered, Minerva gets into trouble with Trujillo, and Papa dies. I'm probably missing some parts but the most important to me is when Maria Teresa joins the resistance because it also exposes how Minerva was a part of the resistance as well, and really starts the sister's active politicism against Trujillo.

Connection: I can connect this to how in the real world, people are connecting in secret to overthrow a government, even though they are putting themselves into real danger because they believe in their cause so strongly.

Supposition: I suppose that Trujillo will think of more ways to pay back the Mirabels and will somehow find out that Minerva and Mate are a part of the rebellion.

Ashley Seymour link

1/19/2014 12:04:54 pm

Hey Dominic,
I really like the quote you chose because it was a big part in these chapters when they found out that Trujillo was the one who was killing everyone.I really like the connection you made to the government also

Aaron Nguyen link

1/20/2014 01:32:42 pm

Dominic!
I appreciate the simplicity in your post! I can totally agree that people endanger themselves because they are so attached to things! It brings back to Ms. Carol's question: "Are you willing to die for a cause?" I don't think I would be able to put my life up for a cause however. Good job!

Sol Manuel Garza

1/16/2014 12:20:00 pm

Quote
“ ‘you were asking for it, mi’ija,’ she’s already told me. We sit silently, listening to the rain on the thatched roof, a numb, damp, fatalistic feeling among us. Something has started that none of us can stop” (Alvarez 116).

Significance:
In this quote, Minerva’s mom says that Minerva was “asking for it”. She says that Minerva has started something that “none of us can stop”. This quote refers to an event that just occurred, the family had met with Trujillo to deliver a letter of apology, kiss up to him and try to get him to sign their releases from house arrest in the capital. When they meet with him, Trujillo and Minerva talk together but she refuses to kiss up to him. He challenges her to a bet, rolling the dice, where the winner would get whatever they wanted. The result was a tie because they both used the rigged set of dice. Because Minerva stood up to him once again, her mom said that she was giving him every reason to put them in jail or kill them. I think that this scene symbolizes the beginning of the Mirabal sisters’ defiance against Trujillo’s regime. This leads to them becoming active in the grander scheme of the resistance. This symbolizes the beginning of “the real story”. Up until this part in the story, all the sisters have been getting politicized and now Trujillo is keeping an eye on their family.
Connection:
I can relate this quote to the scene in J.J.R. Tolkien’s the Hobbit where Bilbo Baggins finds the one ring in the goblin tunnels. When Bilbo got the ring, he started the struggle to destroy the ring that lasts for three whole novels. When Bilbo took the ring, he was put in danger because Sauron’s eye was now on him, much like Minerva was put in danger when she defied Trujillo. Whether it was in the fantastical world of Middle Earth or in the real world of the Dominican Republic, one seemingly small act caused a massive struggle.
Supposition:
I think that the next thing that will happen in the story is that Trujillo’s agents will discover the Mirabal sisters house, where they hide ammunition and keep in contact with the resistance. I think that once they are captured by Trujillo, they will be thrown in prison. I wonder if they will keep operating in prison like Martin Luther King and the resistance will gain strength or if they will lose their cause and the resistance will be diminished. In any case, I think that the regime will find them and in some way try to stop them from being involved in the resistance.

Peter Fisher link

1/18/2014 12:53:15 pm

You have a very unique connection to The Hobbit. I disagree, though, that Minerva's defiance of Trujillo was a small act; I think that she knew exactly what she was doing. I do like your supposition a lot, because it is out of the box, and predicts a very specific plot twist. I am interested to find read more of the book now, to see how close your supposition is.

Jacob Fikes

1/16/2014 12:54:11 pm

Quote:
Dedé could not expose her sister to this danger. Especially if, as Minerva claimed, she did not even love this man.

Dedé took the chimney off the lamp, and with a trembling hand, fed the letter to the flame.

Significance:
This quote has a large significance that shows Dede's love and caring for her sister, Minerva. She simply does not want to endanger her life by letting her go run away with Lio because she thinks that he will get Minerva in serious danger being a rebel of a sort towards Trujillo.

Connection:
I can connect this part of the book to Hitler's rule in Germany because Hitler did not allow anyone to have different beliefs. If someone did have a belief that contradicted Hitler's they were found out and persecuted. This is exactly what is happening to Lio when he is trying to go into exile with some his friends/supporters.

Douglas Hunter link

1/16/2014 04:45:19 pm

"I am no good at being brave by myself"

Significance: A lot happens in these chapters, Minerva and Maria Teresa both get married, and the revolution gets kicked into high gear. The sisters are no longer letting their fear control them. They are being more openly defiant of Trujillo, with the death of Papa, the entire family is now part of the rebels.

Supposition: I think that in to the chapters to come there will be an open battle between the rebels and the government, the Mirabal sisters will be somehow connected to the battle by Trujillo, which will lead to their murder, because their defiance terrifies him.

Josh Chiero link

1/20/2014 12:33:05 pm

Doug,
I like your supposition a lot and also agree that something will happen relating to the Mirabal's death. I think its interesting how you believe the rebels with start a battle against Trujillo

Miranda Vega link

1/21/2014 11:51:52 am

Quote:

“You’re going to fight everyone’s fight, aren't you?”

Significance:

A lot happens in these 3 chapters. Here are some of the more important things that have stuck out to me the most in the chapters, Minerva gets in some trouble with Trujillo. Papa's other children are discovered, and the saddest part, Papa dies.Also Maria joins the resistance and that ends up revealing that Minerva was a part of the resistance as well.

Connection:

I can connect this to the war that is currently going on in Syria. The U.S. has the option of going to Syria and helping them fight to end the war, or keeping things the way that they are right now, not fight, and let them solve their own problems. Just like Minerva, she has the option to stay safe and do what she is told to do, or go against everyone and fight.

Supposition:

I think that Trujillo will find out that Minerva and Mate are part of the rebellion.
I also think that Trujillo will kill of all of the sisters husbands.

tyler gange

1/21/2014 12:37:44 pm

quote: Minutes later, I was roaring away in the jeep without a word to mama. What would I have said? Im going to find my good-for-nothing father and drag him back.

Significance: In this chapter, you find that the sister's father has been cheating on his wife, and has four other daughters who live in a shack, and she decided to educate them. Which shows that Minerva shows empathy to them, which says a lot about her character

Connection: I can connect this to Missionaries that build schools in third world countries and pay for the kid's education. It show a lot of empathy in people.

John Contreras

1/22/2014 08:33:13 am

“A little while ago I got up and dragged the heavy box out from under. It was nailed shut, but the nails had some give on one side and I could work the lid loose a little. I held the light up close and peered in. I almost dropped the lamp when I realized what I was looking at. Enough guns to start a revolution.” (142)
Significance-Maria Teresa realizes that her papa wants to start a revolution and is storing guns to fight them. I think this because a revolution is suicide for both the resistance and the soldiers. the words that stand out to me is that there were a lot of guns in the metal box because a revolution would acquire some serious firepower.
Connection-I once realized my stepdad has a lot of guns like at least 3 rifles and 1 handgun. He owns them for tactical reasons such as defense. He was in the navy. Me and Maria Teresa both have household guns. The household guns make me feel safer but they make Maria Teresa feel betrayed and scared.
Supposition-I think that Maria Teresa is worried and felt betrayed by her papa that he wants to start a revolution. I also think that she is scared because he could die of a gunshot or getting seriously injured.

Alejandra Sandoval

1/22/2014 12:15:41 pm

Quote: "I know the rumor that got started once I’d been living at home a few years. That I didn’t like men. It’s true that I never paid much attention to the ones around here. But it wasn’t that I didn’t like them. I just didn’t know I was looking at what I wanted.

For one thing, my nose was always in a book. Love was something I had read would come. The man I’d love would look like the poet in a frontispiece, pale and sad with a pen in his hand.

For another thing, Papa discouraged boyfriends. I was his treasure, he’d say, patting his lap, as if I were a girl in a jumper instead of a woman of twenty-three in the slacks he objected to my wearing in public."

Significance: In these three chapters, Papa dies, and we find out that he had other children. These chapters were really sad. We found out a lot, including how Minerva is part of the resistance. The Maribel sisters seem to really want to get rid of Trujillo and it's interesting how they started off loving him and now they hate him.

Connection: I think that the part when Papa dies is going to make a big change for the characters because it is the loss of their father even if he hid things from his family, I think the mother is going to die also because of depression from her husband's death.

Sam Klein

1/26/2014 11:45:22 am

Quote: “I’ll tell you what. I’ll let you toss for the privilege. You win, you get your wish. I win, I get mine.”

Significance - I think that these chapters say a lot about the sisters because it tells you where each of them is going in life and it shows their strong believes on the revolution. I like this quote because she's willing to put a lot on the line just so she can for fill her dreams and I think this tells you really how passionate Minerva is about law school.
Supposition - I think that Trujillo would still try to get his way with Minerva later on in the book.

Eli Steria

1/27/2014 04:52:05 am

Hey Sam!

Great quote! I think that is a very part of this chapter that determines her future. This can change the whole story of the book and I think you did a great job by explaining this and wish to see more!

Faris Livingstone link

1/26/2014 03:16:33 pm

Quote: “I’ll tell you what. I’ll let you toss for the privilege. You win, you get your wish. I win, I get mine."

Significance: In these three chapter we really get to see the sister’s growth. They start to become adults and they find their loves. In chapter 6 a lot of events take place. Minerva finds out that their father also has a completely different family with four children and a mistress and he has also been hiding letters from Lio that were meant for her. The Discovery Day Dance is another major event from this chapter were Trujillo dances with Minerva in a very vulgar form, forcing Minerva to slap him. They leave the party before Trujillo which is against the law, which eventually leads to Papa being arrested. Minerva then plays dice with Trujillo and says that if she wins her father will be released and she will go to law school but if he wins Minerva will “be his”. In chapter 7 Maria Teresa informs us about the trick that Trujillo played on Minerva. He did not grant her a license to actually practice law. Near the end of the book Maria Teresa accidentally intercepts a delivery of guns from Leandro. She later falls in love with him and ends up marrying him.

Connection: A connection that I made from this quote is that a lot of times the biggest and most impactful events usually come from the smallest and quickest decisions you make. In the real world car accidents happen because of the smallest and quickest decisions. When there is a quick street light change you might brake really quickly causing you to hit your head on something in the car or you might even step on the gas and hit another car.

Supposition: From these chapter we have come to know that the anger between Trujillo and the Mirabal sisters has risen. Based on the events presented to us in this chapter I feel that Trujillo will definitely try to take out the Mirabal sisters or do something to weaken them and their relationships with another.

Eli Steria

1/27/2014 04:46:13 am

Significance:
The three girls grow up and are almost adults, and we can see that is will chance lot's of opinions between the sisters. Also all the girls find love and this is when Minerva opens the closet and finds the letters that leads her to finding out that her father as betrayed her and he has a completely separate family. This is very important because it puts a conflict between the family. This is similar to a lot of kids lives because there always has been secrets between family members that can cause issues at some point.

Connection:
This is an issue in todays time because adults and even kids keep little lies that can end up hurting someone in the long run. That secrets can hurt others and it should be told in the beginning.

Supposition:
I think the notes that Minerva find will cause lots of problems between family problems. This is going to make Minerva very insecure and not trust anyone.

Miguel Mendoza

2/11/2014 01:51:43 pm

Quote: "Minutes later, I was roaring away in the jeep without a word to Mama. I'm going to find my good-for-nothing father and drag him back?"

Significance: This quote explains the relationship between Minerva and her father while slowly revealing what Minerva thinks about her father's actions. It also summarizes what the chapter mainly deals with, which was Papa. It is a very surprising event in the book and is a major turning point in the family's relationship.

Connection: I do not have many connections to this but I can say that this is a very interesting family event. Papa reminds me of a very loving character but also a weak one as well. The kind of person I think wants the best out of everyone but cannot be the best himself. I have met people like this and I am not sure if they are bad or if they are good but somewhere in between.

Supposition: This makes me feel like Papa will continue on more in the story or will not continue anymore.

Part 2, Chapters 5, 6, 7

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