Discussion Questions

Penguin Group Reading Guide about this book and author

1. Why is it so important for Minerva to go away to school with Patria? At school, what influence does her friend Sinita have on her? In what ways does Minerva, even at a young age, seem defiant and independent?

2. How does Maria Teresa's diary help her throughout her life? In what ways do we see her grow up through her diary? Finally, in prison, how does the existence of a diary to write in save her?

3. How does the fight over Lio effect the relationship between Minerva and Dedé? Why does Dedé burn Lio's letter to Minerva? Is she really trying to protect her sister or is she just jealous?

4. What is the significance of the party at Trujillo's house that the Mirabal sisters attend with their father? In what ways will Minerva's actions haunt them?

5. How do the sisters react to the knowledge that their father has another family and that they have four little sisters? Why does Minerva want to help them? How do these illegitimate sisters help The Butterflies?

6. What does it mean to Dedé to be the only Mirabal sister left alive? Does she regret not joining the revolution? In the last sentence she says that she has been left alive to tell the story of her family. Does she appreciate the value of keeping the story alive?

7. Both in the story and in real life, the Dominican people stood behind the Mirabal sisters and saw them as great heroes and martyrs. Why is the Dominican nation so taken with the Mirabal sisters? What about them is so captivating? Of all those who fought for freedom from Trujillo, why does the story of these women endure?