Chapter 12

Why does chapter 12 end before the deaths of the 3 sisters? Why end the book at this point in the story?

Chapter 11

Maria Teresa: How does Maria Teresa change through her experiences in jail?

Chapter 10

Here Patria attempts to see her enemies, (like Pena and even Trujillo) as real humans, with both good and bad sides. In Pena's case it seems to help her feel power over him. Why does she do this? What do you think of this?

Chapter 9

In chapter 9, Dede's niece asks her why she survived. What do you think of the choice that Dede makes in chapter 9?

Chapter 8

Dede is pulled between two allegiances--one to her husband, and one to her sisters. Who does she side with? Why? In 1994, as she remembers this story, how does she feel about this decision?

Chapter 7

This is the second chapter narrated by Maria Theresa. Has she matured? How has she stayed the same as she's aged? In what way does she seem similar in character? What do you think of her motivations for joining the revolution?

Chapter 6

How does Minerva's view of her father change throughout this chapter? What does she learn? What happens to her father in this chapter?

Chapter 5

Dede--faced with her memories--seems like a woman of regrets. What occurs in chapter 5 that she may later regret in life? How do you see the contrast between Dede and Minerva deepening?

Chapter 4

According to this chapter, how is religion a positive force? How is it also possibly a negative force in the Dominican Republic?

Chapter 3

Maria Teresa' chapter: Why do you think that Alvarez chose to narrate Maria Teresa's chapters using the format of a diary? How does this affect the way that we perceive her as a reader?

Chapter 2

In chapter 2, Minerva becomes "disillusioned" about her president, Trujillo? What do we learn about Trujillo in this chapter? What do we learn about Minerva?

Butterflies-Chapter 1

In chapter 1, Dede has a flashback. How does she feel about the interviewer who visits and asks her about her sisters? On the last page of the chapter, how does the tone change when Trujillo's name is mentioned?