You might not expect a novel about a group of communist revolutionaries to have all that much to do with religion, but In the Time of the Butterflies finds a way to marry the Catholic Church and the political ideals of its characters.
In the Dominican Republic in the 1950's, the Catholic Church underwent a transformation, from supporting (or at least turning a blind eye to) the regime's atrocities to outright denouncing them. One main character, Patria, represents this come-to-Jesus moment in her own spiritual and political evolution.
Questions About Religion
- Who helps Patria reconcile her religion and the revolution?
- What is the role of the church in the dictatorship?
- When Patria goes on a pilgrimage she regains her faith—what changes for her?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
The Catholic Church's commitment to human rights and justice inspires the sisters.
The Catholic Church's silent support of Trujillo is what gets the country into a mess in the first place.