Patria 2nd

Patria was influenced by many things: her upbringing, her miscarriage, her faith and relationship with God, and most especially, the retreat. She was raised in an oppressive society ruled by a fascist dictator. Her mother and father were both prime examples of the repressive gender roles given by their society, one ensuring the man was responsible for everything and the head of the house whilst the other was disrespectful, committed adultery, and made his wife feel terrible throughout the entirety of their marriage. The retreat was a major turning point in her life, though. It brought her back to the time she had her miscarriage, and it empowered her faith and her determination to save her kids. These major events affected the outcome of each other, and they all influenced the woman she was.

Not only the dictatorship ruled by Trujillo but also the stillborn child she birthed, and then the one little boy she saw die, this all connected back to her faith and religious beliefs. She still joined the revolution to support her family even whilst questioning her own beliefs at the time. It is only when she visits virgin mary she reclaims her spot as a faithful person.

Patria was a good mother. She did nearly everything she could to protect her children; for example, she sent Nelson to join a seminary to protect him from joining his uncles in the revolution and getting into trouble with the SIM (152). After watching that boy get shot in the back, she pledged that she was "not going to sit back and watch [her] babies die....even if that's what [God] decides" (162). She joined the revolution to protect her children and I think that sacrifice proves she was a good mother.

When on her religious retreat, Patria witnessed the attack on the city. She saw many die and it deeply affected her. She explained that she "didn't keep count how many had died. I kept my hand on my stomach, concentrating on what was alive" Page 163. In that moment she realized that the world she was living in was corrupt and countless people were being killed. If she wanted to have a better place for the baby she was caring she would have to do something.

"You could not chase after a boy with your machete and enter the kingdom of heaven" (164).

"No one had to tell me to believe in God or to love everything that lives. I did it automatically like a shoot inching its way towards the light. (44)

Yes, Patria was a good mother. She was selfless when it came to her children and gave up everything for them. She did not even think twice about taking in the children of her sisters because she nurtured and cared for everyone. She was even willing to give up her own life so that her son Nelson might live. "I offered Our Lord to take me instead of my Nelson." Pg. 221

"Sweet Patria, always her religion was so important." Page 6

"All at once, I lost my home, my husband, my son, my peace of mind." pg 200

What did Patria specifically add to the revolution?

Was Patria a good mother? Support yourself.

Give a representative quote about or by Patria.

What events in Patria's life influenced the woman she became?

Some may say that Patria did not sacrifice much in the revolution but I believe that she sacrificed quite a bit. Patria sacrificed her life and her relationships with anyone who did not agree with what her actions were promoting. She sacrificed the safety of her own house, changing her childrens bedrooms into ammunition storage (155). Patria was comfortable, she had the kids, the house, and the husband yet she gave up the security of all of that to better her country.

Patria is motivated by love, love for her children, the Virgin Mary, and most strongly, her children. Oftenly what goes hand in hand with love, is fear and that is another stem of motivation for Patria. She was scared to not believe in a higher power because she needed to believe that on the third day, he would rise again; even when times got difficult for her she needed to believe that God would make it better. She was also motivated by the fear of losing her children because she had already been through that and believed that she wouldn't be able to do it again (Page 150). Patria was one of four sisters, so of course she was carried constant fear about losing them. Love and fear motivated Patria both in effective ways.

So many people and events made Patria into the person she is and had a true effect on her actions. A big part of her characteristics stem from her childhood. Patria was the oldest of four and she would do anything she could for her younger sisters even if meant giving up her own diaper so her little sisters could have it. Patria is a mother and was raised that way because of simply being the oldest in a healthy family while she was being raised (Page 44). She has always had these motherhood outlook but when she saw the soldier die, this kicked it up a notch. Watching him die allowed her to fight harder not only for her children but for the future and this is what pushed her into joining the revolution, shaping her into even more of a women.

During Patria's lifetime she was an extremely good mother not only caring about them but also the world that they were going to grow up in. Patria truly believed that she would not be able to "go on" if she were to lose another one of her children (page 150). Due to her losing her baby, Patria saw the world differently, no matter what she was going to protect her children and that even involved other non biological children like the soldier and her sisters children.

Patria is motivated by her aspirations for more in life. Because she dropped out of school at 16 to start a family, she did not finish her education and become a nun, which was her biggest dream. Joining the revolution and fighting for positive change makes her feel she was doing bigger, better things.

She is also motivated by her maternal instinct and her desire for her kids' great aspirations to also come true. She constantly discussed her drive to protect her children and give them the best opportunities she could; for example, she understood Nelson wanted to do good with his family and for his nation, so she allows him to join the revolution. She is not only motivated by them—she also finds comfort in living vicariously through her children.

Patria sacrificed her religious beliefs and her livelihood for the revolution. After watching that boy die in front of her, she was dedicated to the notion that she was not going to let her children die, even if that's what God had decided. I think this shows a turning point with her—she was willing to join the revolution to ensure the safety of children, despite the possibility of it going against her religion.

She also had a stable, somewhat comfortable life before she joined the revolution. Although she had given her land to the revolution for their meetings, it wasn't until she joined the revolution that she gave up her entire house to planning, discussing, packing, and building for the revolution, all of which took place where her children had their firsts.

She added a religious perspective to the revolution, especially because she brought in the members of the ACC. She was also the host for the revolution. The butterflies "needed a place to meet, so [she] offered them [her] land" (156), and once she became a butterfly, her livelihood was forever changed and her "house became the motherhouse of the movement" (166).

Patria sacrificed her normal lifestyle. Her family was stable and they had good land and good relations which allowed them to flourish. Joining the revolution put all of this in jeopardy and the end took it all away from Patria. Although during her lifetime she didn't lose her husband or son, the stability of her life was taken. Her husband was not present to help with the kids and her house was burned to the ground.

Patria sacrifices her safety and beliefs to support her family even if she disagrees with the actions. Her stillborn baby makes her lose her faith, and she only then regains it from virgin Mary.

I think Patria is motivated mainly by her family. First, her children because she wants a better life for her kids where they can be safe. She sends a letter to where Nelson is going to school just "To make sure he studies hard and stays out of trouble... [she] do not want him getting mixed up with the wrong people." She is also motivated and inspired by her sisters. She sees how involved Minerva and Mate are and that is one thing that allows her to be okay with joining the revolution.

Yes, she constantly looked out for her children, worrying about them even when they were with family. "To make sure he studies hard and stays out of trouble, please, do not let my son off the grounds except to come home. He is a country boy not used to the city temptations, and I do not want him getting mixed up with the wrong people." (158)

Patria was brave enough to host the "meetings" of the revolution when no one else would. It was Patria's "house [that] became the motherhouse of the movement" Pg 166. Unlike many, Patria was doing well in life. She had a loving family and was not in financial trouble and still saw the bigger purpose of the revolution and decided to give her life to the cause.

Patria is motivated by her family and wanting to protect them. "Oh my sisters, my Pedrito, oh my little lamb."

What did Patria sacrifice to the revolution?

What is Patria motivated by? Please support yourself.