Summer of the Mariposas

by

Guadalupe García McCall

Summer of the Mariposas: Prologue Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
The summer one year after Odilia’s father leaves her, her Mamá, and her sisters behind, American Snout butterflies swarm her hometown of Eagle Pass, Texas. Their large numbers infuriate adults like Mamá. Since Papá is no longer sending money, Mamá has gotten a job, leaving the girls unsupervised. Though Mamá tells them to play Lotería inside, they do not enjoy the game as much as they did when Papá was around. One of the last times they played as a family, he made a joke about La Sirena being “La mujer who wants to take your Papá away!” This caused a fight between him and Mamá.
The novel emphasizes the importance of two coinciding events: the anniversary of Papá’s abandonment and the sudden influx of butterflies. Papá’s departure is a heavy emotional wound for all five Garza sisters as well as Mamá. The presence of the butterflies not only evokes an atmosphere of magic and whimsy, but also introduces the novel’s central symbol. Lotería—whose Spanish meaning is “lottery”—is a popular game of chance in Mexico. It is similar to Bingo and involves a deck of cards featuring various pictograms, including La Sirena—The Mermaid. Papá’s joke that this card represents “the woman” who wants to take him away from his family hints that a beautiful woman is to blame for his eventual abandonment.
Themes
Sisterhood, Motherhood, and Family Theme Icon
Magic, Myth, and Deception Theme Icon
Gender Dynamics and Female Solidarity Theme Icon
Odilia and her sisters abandon Lotería and spend the summer running wild around their neighborhood, free for the first time to do whatever they want. Ignoring Mamá’s struggle to keep the house and family afloat, they prioritize their own entertainment. The girls often hike to a secluded swimming hole on the Rio Grande, close to the Mexican border. They swim there together on hot days, watching the butterflies, until one day, they find a dead man floating in the water.
The sisters collectively stop playing the beloved game of their youth, hinting that—in some ways—their coming-of-age transformation has already begun. Their carefree attitudes emphasize that they are free but untamed, and self-indulgent rather than considerate. The dead man’s appearance acts as a catalyst, pushing them even further away from the life they have known and towards adventure.
Themes
Sisterhood, Motherhood, and Family Theme Icon
Gender Dynamics and Female Solidarity Theme Icon
Kindness, Mercy, and Morality Theme Icon
Quotes