Patria, from In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Álvarez, contrasts devastating acts of courage with moments of uncertain fragility. She lives in a time when her country is led by the harshest of leaders, Raphael Trujillo. After coming to power, Trujillo created a secret police force that tortured and murdered opponents of his regime. The Mirabel sisters defeated the regime of one of the cruelest dictators in history through their determination. Patria in particular indicates that she is mentally and morally prepared to overcome adversity. As the eldest of Mirabel's sisters, she uses her experience and religious beliefs to help her survive. Throughout Patria's journey, she depends on various characters to help her overcome the challenges she faces. Even though Patria encounters moments of weakness, she exhibits the strength of her character by persevering until the end. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Patria exhibits her first example of courage when she shows concern for her sister Minerva. Minerva denounces the government because she has lost her religious faith. Worrying about Minerva, Patria begins to question her own faith. His confession is a shock. She describes it this way: “[…] I admit, Minerva's speech had begun to affect me. I began to notice the death in the voice of Padre Ignacio, the boredom between the Gospel and communion […] My faith was changing and I was afraid” (Álvarez 52). Patria feels confused and questions her own religious beliefs as she realizes that it may not be a necessity in her life. Patria almost abandons her faith, but then realizes that it is an integral part of her life. She doesn't want to give up her religion because she's afraid; she never lived as a secular person. Ultimately, she retains her religious faith due to her husband's grief. Patria puts aside her own suffering to save him from hers and, in doing so, realizes that religion is a part of her. Patria's mini-epiphany demonstrates that Patria not only cares deeply about her husband for putting his needs before her own, but also has the courage to follow through, even in the most difficult circumstances. Additionally, while listening to Brother Daniel speak of the Assumption, the mountainside is bombarded and chaos immediately ensues. Patria reveals how much the incident affected her when she says, “Coming down that mountain, I was a changed woman. I may have had the same sweet face, but now I carried not only my child but also this dead boy” (162). Trujillo's men bomb the mountainside and Patria sees an innocent boy die, scarring his memory. After his death, Patria struggles to reconcile her commitment to God and she begins to question her identity and morality. Although this incident scars Patria for the rest of her life, it also strengthens her broken morale. She is now able to tolerate more than before. In response to the bombings, Patria vows to aid the resistance against Trujillo and his men, a promise she courageously keeps. Patria uses religion to cope with the loss of her family. She also uses it to help her believe that one day Trujillo will disappear and her family will be able to live in peace: "Perhaps because I was used to seeing the Good Shepherd and Trujillo side by side in the old house , I found myself praying a little greeting. passing in front […], I expected something from him, and prayer was the only way I knew how to ask him” (202). The theme of Trujillo compared to Jesus is important to Patria throughout..