Minerva Mirabal's Bravery in "In The Time of Butterflies"

The average American would be shocked if presented with the knowledge that North America has bred genocidal maniacs. They would be further shocked when told that this maniac lived and died as recently as the twentieth century. That vile fiend’s name was Rafael Trujillo. This villain inspired many to stand against him, but the most famous were the Mirabal sisters. Minerva Mirabal, one of the sisters, was a prime example of courage, as displayed in the novel In the Times Butterflies by Julia Alvarez. Minerva displayed courage in all aspects of her life, despite the potentially dangerous outcomes that might have befallen her.

Minerva Mirabal put her courage on display when face-to-face with Rafael Trujillo. On page 19, Alvarez describes a scene where the young woman exemplified the courage she found within. “I started crying, but I pinched my arms to stop. I had to be brave for Sinita.” Even at a young age, Minerva displayed selfless qualities. When presented with a tragic story that made her cry, she told herself to stop for Sinita’s sake. This is among many examples of selflessness that prove the existence of intrinsic courage living within Minerva.

Minerva Mirabal put her courage on display when face-to-face with Rafael Trujillo. Alvarez describes a scene on page 100 where the young woman exemplifies the courage she finds within. “He yanks me by the wrist, thrusting his pelvis at me in a vulgar way, and I can see my hand in an endless slow motion rise—a mind all its own—and come down on the astonished, made-up face.” Minerva slapped the “president” of her own country, despite knowing full well that he was a murderer. She commits this act, knowing she could be killed for it – true courage.

Minerva Mirabal displayed tremendous amounts of courage for not only herself, but for those around her. In the following excerpt from the book, Maria Teresa is describing an interesting conversation between her and her older sister. “I asked Minerva why she was doing such a dangerous thing. And then, she said the strangest thing. She wanted me to grow up in a free country” (Alvarez 39). Minerva choses to try and shape her country for the welfare of her sister despite the knowledge that it may someday get her killed. Eventually, this choice leads to her own death at the hands of Trujillo’s henchmen, even when given several chances to escape, or be pardoned. This fact proves the existence of intrinsic courage living within her, as she cares about the safety and welfare of others (namely her sister) over her own.

Minerva Mirabal was the personification of courage, as proven by her actions in all aspects of her life. She cemented her position as the epitome of courage at these moments, the apotheoses of her endeavors to depose the ruthless fiend known as Rafael Trujillo. Despite the struggles she faced, she ascended above the tribulations to become the martyr that her cause always needed. Minerva Mirabal lived in a way that proved that she was the true embodiment of courage.