Dede's Role
Who is the surviving Mirabal sister?
Dede
Which sisters were in the resistance?
Minerva, Patria, and Mate
Who is Jaimito?
Dede's husband
What kind of conflict does Dede face?
What theme does Dede's guilt reflect?
Survivor's guilt
What year is Dede narrating from?
1994
What is the name of the organization that Minerva, Patria, and Mate are apart of?
The underground movement
What role does Jaimito play in Dede's choices?
He discouraged her from joining the revolution in order to focus on family
What causes Dede to question her marriage?
Jaimito's controlling nature
What themes/emotions are shown throughout her interviews?
Difficulty reflecting on past and facing the burden of being the only surviving sister
Why does Dede feel haunted by her choices?
She said no to joining the revolution and fighting with her sisters
Why didn't Dede join the underground movement?
She felt pressured by her husband Jaimito to stay out of politics
How does Jaimito reflect patriarchy (male dominance)?
He expects obedience from Dede when he discourages her from making her own decisions
What kind of control does Jaimito expect?
Emotional and Patriarchal control (He limits Dede's freedom)
How does memory shape Dede's narrative?
She reconstructs her past with pain and hesitation, showing how memory is both difficult and necessary
What burden does Dede carry after her sisters' deaths?
She faces the burden of being the one surviving sister and having to carry on her sisters' legacy
How did the resistance cause tension within the Mirabal family?
The contrast between Dede's life of raising children and her sisters' lives of fighting against Trujillo created a divide within the family
What were society's expectations for women?
To be obedient wives, avoid politics, and be submissive to their husbands
How does Dede's marriage reflect social norms?
Male dominance is consistent throughout Dede's marriage as she constantly feels controlled by Jaimito
How is fear versus courage shown in chapter 9?
Dede chooses to be cautious out of fear, while her sisters choose to be courageous in order to fight against the ways of Trujillo
How does Dede view herself in contrast to her sisters?
She sees herself as the cautious one, while her sisters show more courage and determination
What is the symbolic important of Dede saying "no" to the underground movement?
It highlights Dede's internal conflict and her role as the survivor
How does Dede internalize the expectations put on her by Jaimito?
She doubts her strength and feels torn between her emotions and what society/her husband expect from her
How does Dede's internal conflict reflect larger themes?
It mirrors the struggle between personal safety and moral courage
How does Dede question her past choices?
- She questions if she married Jaimito out of love or rebellion