"characters"

 After reading through the first four chapters, I found myself a bit confused, did not quite understand the significant of the girls or story. So I did some further research on these girls, and learned that they were murdered because they opposed the cruel dictatorship of Trujillo. Of the four sisters Dede did not get in the way therefore was not murdered, and who is still alive today.

The author of the book, Alvarez, says she wanted to take us beyond the legend and create characters, which I feel was a wonderful idea. By Alvarez creating the characters, and putting names with the story it sends a clearer picture of each sister and how they lived. Without the characters I do not think I would get the full affect of the book, or even get a sense of feeling of what the girls might have experienced, as well as lived through. I find it that when an author uses names or characters behind the story it becomes easier to read and less confusing.  By Alvarez using the girls real names, I get a better understand of each girl and how different they are from one another, but in some ways the same. I think what the Alvarez was trying to do with creating characters was to make sure that each girl was able to tell their own story through their own experiences and feelings, but also be able to share what each sister meant to one another.  Alvarez wanted give each girl a voice, though they are not alive today, (besides Dede) by Alvarez writing this particular book she gave those girls their voice, a chance to tell their stories. With Dede still alive she in a way speaks of the good and bad times she had with her sisters. Without names behind these characters I would just read this book because I had to, and not feel the emotion behind every chapter.