In The Time Of The Butterflies Scales Analysis

In the book In the Time of the Butterflies, symbolism is used throughout the book. Two objects that are symbolized in the book are the scales on Trujillo’s desk and the dice on Trujillo’s scales. When Minerva enter’s Trujillo’s room, she notices that the scales are unbalanced, as one set of die are weighted, and the other is fairly balanced. The scales represent the power struggle between Trujillo and Minerva, each trying to get the upper hand. The unbalanced scales show that Trujillo currently has more power than Minerva. The dice represent the difference of power between Minerva and Trujillo. The loaded dice show how Trujillo is unfair and manipulates people, while the balanced dice show how Minerva is fair and equal.

The scales symbolize the conflict between Trujillo and Minerva. The scales are unbalanced, which shows that Trujillo has the advantage over Minerva. Throughout the novel, there are signs of Minerva and Trujillo’s conflict. On page 115, the book says, “For a moment, I imagine them evenly balanced, his will on one side, mine on the other.” This quote from Minerva shows that the …show more content…
The loaded dice represent how Trujillo is unfair and manipulative, and the balanced dice show how Minerva is righteous and just. On page 115, the book says, “But without my set there, he can’t tell which are his loaded pair.” This shows that Trujillo favors his loaded pair more, and that he will use it to try to win. The fact that both of them use the loaded pair shows that they are both equal at the moment, with each side trying to find an advantage over the other. One part of the novel in which it shows the difference between what Trujillo and Minerva do in their conflict with each other are when they are in jail. Minerva follows non-violence and protests by singing. Trujillo, on the other hand, is unfair have them put in jail and later house arrest to try to quell her