In the Time of the Butterflies

novel by Alvarez

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 17, 2026

Quick Summary

In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez is a novel that fictionalizes the true story of the Mirabal sisters, three Dominican women who became revolutionaries against the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo. The sisters, Patria, Minerva, and María Teresa, known as \"Las Mariposas\" (The Butterflies), actively participated in the underground movement to overthrow Trujillo's brutal regime. Their activism led to their tragic assassination on November 25, 1960, on Trujillo's orders. This event is widely recognized as a significant factor in the downfall of Trujillo's dictatorship and has made the Mirabal sisters enduring symbols of resistance against oppression and gender-based violence. The novel explores their courage, sacrifices, and the impact of their actions.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Julia Alvarez
Alvarez’s second novel, In the Time of the Butterflies (1994), is a fictional account of the lives of the Dominican Mirabal sisters, who were involved in the underground movement to overthrow Trujillo and his government. In 2001 it was adapted as a TV movie starring Salma Hayek. Alvarez’s…
Read More
Alvarez’s second novel, In the Time of the Butterflies (1994), is a fictional account of the lives of the Dominican Mirabal sisters, who were involved in the underground movement to overthrow Trujillo and his government. In 2001 it was adapted as a TV movie starring Salma Hayek. Alvarez’s…
Read More