In The Time Of The Butterflies Mate Character Analysis

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The Tragedy of Reality
“Traumatic events challenge an individual's view of the world as a just, safe and predictable place.” ― American Psychological Association, APA Dictionary of Psychology. In the book In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez, Trujillo’s dictatorship brings permanent trauma for the Mirabal Sister, but especially for the youngest, María Teresa. Her hopeful and optimistic perception of the world is turned upside down when she finds out about the true nature of her government and their President, Trujillo.Within In the Time of the Butterflies, María Teresa(Mate) represents youth, and the drastic transition from the world innocence into the world of maturity caused by personal tragedy.

Mate demonstrates the ignorance
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This is revealed when she states, “I always thought our president was like God...” (39). This shows the extent Mate adored and venerated Trujillo by comparing him to a divinity that is prevalent in her life. Even though she now realizes this is a distorted perception, she still naively believes the unconditional love she has for her father, regardless of his morality, should be the same affection she has for Trujillo. This belief shows her continual faith in Trujillo, in spite of her epiphany, because she equates the feelings of two drastically different relationships. Mate is forced to leave the world of innocence after father’s death, which is a major turning point with reference to the development of Mate’s maturity because it fosters a new hatred for Trujillo within her. This drastic change of her view is clearly conveyed when she puts a spell on the letter to Trujillo (121). Mate then comes to acknowledge the adversity the whole country is facing because it has affected Minerva’s beliefs and actions. Specifically when she learns of the rebellion and wants to join, signifying the evolution of her maturity. Mate even references her personal growth when she states, “I don’t want to be babied anymore” (142). This reveals that Mate’s perception of the world is no longer myopic because she realizes Minerva is withholding information