How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
According to Sinita, Trujillo became president in a sneaky way. First, he was in the army, and all the people who were above him kept disappearing until he was the one right below the head of the whole armed forces. (1.2.59)
Did you ever play Risk? Yeah, you're never going to finish that game you started last summer, but take a break for a quick chat about strategy. The players who win know how to corner everyone, picking them off one by one and consolidating their power. That's exactly what Trujillo was doing.
Quote #5
At first the sisters were frightened. But then, they started receiving gifts, too: bolts of muslin for making convent sheets and terrycloth for their towels and a donation of a thousand pesos for a new statue of the Merciful Mother to be carved by a Spanish artist living in the capital. (1.2.95)
The sisters (not to be confused with the Butterflies; we're talking nuns here) are protective of their students at first, but they are easily swayed by Trujillo's display of power. See, power isn't always just assassinations and bullying; it can also be used to bribe people to look the other way.
Quote #6
In his big gold armchair, he looked much smaller than I had imagined him, looming as he always was from some wall or other. He was wearing a fancy white uniform with gold fringe epaulets and a breast of medals like an actor playing a part. (1.2.132)
When Minerva finally sees Trujillo in person after only having seen photographs of him (although there were lots of photographs of the guy hanging around the country), she is surprised by how small he is compared to his personality. The uniform is a costume and the president is playing a part. Is power just an act in the end?