Dede's Transformation in "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez
How does Dede change throughout the novel?
As a child, Dede is always smiling and trying to please others. She is intelligent, inevitable, and from a young age her father depends on her to "help with the books". Dede volunteers to stay behind with her parents so her sisters can go to boarding school. Though she is attracted to the rebel Lio, Dede is silent about her desires and loses him to her sister Minerva. In a furtive attempt to assert herself, Dede burns Lio's letter asking Minerva to flee the country with him, but she cannot allow herself to the inevitability of the life expected of her. She marries her domineering childhood sweetheart Jaimito, already compromising with him even before they are wed. Dede knows that if she thinks long and hard about what is right and wrong, she would join her sisters in revolution, but she does not because her husband forbids it. Dede finds her voice only after her sisters' deaths. In the immediate aftermath, she screams her defiance to the SIM, then takes charge of the girls' funeral arrangements and raises their children. After several years, she leaves Jaimito and establishes herself in the business world. Dede retains much of her old self in her new life, continuing to achieve and sacrificing her privacy to keep the memory of her sisters alive.
Answer:
Dede's transformation throughout "In the Time of the Butterflies" is significant and reflects her journey towards finding her own voice and independence. As a child, she was obedient and accommodating, always putting others' needs before her own. However, as the story progresses, Dede begins to question the roles assigned to her by society and her family.
One of the key moments in Dede's transformation is when she realizes that she has the power to make her own choices, especially after the death of her sisters. This tragic event serves as a catalyst for her to break free from the constraints imposed on her by her husband and society.
Dede's journey towards self-discovery and empowerment is a gradual process, marked by moments of defiance and bravery. Despite the challenges she faces, Dede ultimately finds her voice and asserts her independence by leaving Jaimito and pursuing a career in the business world.
Her decision to prioritize her sisters' memory while also striving for personal success demonstrates Dede's resilience and strength of character. By the end of the novel, Dede emerges as a confident and determined woman who is no longer willing to conform to others' expectations.