Before We Were Free

by

Julia Alvarez

Before We Were Free Symbols

The Eraser

Carla’s eraser, which is shaped like the Dominican Republic, symbolizes the erosion of Anita’s pride in her country. The eraser came into Anita and Carla’s life the year before the novel begins, when…

read analysis of The Eraser

Butterflies and Flight

Butterflies and flight symbolize freedom and hope for the future. “The Butterflies” are the three sisters who started the resistance movement against the Dominican dictator El Jefe. They were murdered for this, and their…

read analysis of Butterflies and Flight