Change and Transformation: Patria

Before reading Chapter 8, Patria is seen as a warmhearted, religious citizen who is obedient to the law and will not support the rebel movement. However, during Chapter 8, she begins to experience a transformation in which she turns to a woman who is willing to oppose Trujillo's regime for the good of her family. This transition is present as Patria watches a boy being gunned down by government forces. What made this dramatic was how she connected this boy with her children. For example, Patria described him as "a boy no older than Noris" (Alvarez 162) and even carried him as if it was her son. She then states that she is "not going to sit back and watch her babies die, Lord, even if that's what You in Your great wisdom decide" (Alvarez 162). From this point on, she considers herself a changed woman and joins the rebel movement alongside her sisters as she can no longer watch her country being mistreated by Trujillo, which reveals the theme of Change and Transformation. Patria is now Mariposa #3!

This scene sort of depicts how Patria carried the dead boy