Alvarez Blog 4

            Although Alvarez chose to end the novel rather abruptly, I think any other ending would have taken away from the story of all four of the sisters. After doing some research online and reading the epilogue, it is clear that no one has a clear understanding of what happened on the mountain.  Although this is a piece of historical fiction, a combination of true events with Alvarez’s own interpretation and ideas, it would have been completely wrong and immoral to try to fictionalize their death.  Ending the novel with the known facts makes Alvarez more credible and the story more realistic. Actually, thinking back and looking back, Alvarez did not even bring the novel to the girls being asked to get out of the car. It talked about how Minerva believed they felt like little girls again I was they were heading to the jeep, and that was how they felt going up the mountain. Although I believe the first half of the statement, I do not know if I believe the second half, and believe that may have been a fictional portion of the story. Minerva knew that something bad was going to happen a good portion of the day, and they all must have figure out what was going to happen as they walked up the mountain. I do not think there is anyway you could feel like a child as you are walking up a mountain to your death.

            I find it ironic that this is the day that Dede had a bit of a melt down before they left. It kind of plays on the maternal instinct I suggested Dede had before. Dede had not been much of a character the last portion of the story, but her actions and words really stuck out to me as the three sisters prepared to leave. She knew something was going to happen, and what her responsibilities would become when it did.

            Think about the story as a whole, one can really see how these girls evolved into women and how these women evolved through experiences they each had. Even though they made mistakes and each had their flaws, they are role models girls and women should look up to today. They knew what they believed and they stuck by it, to a fault at times. I see why this book is dedicated to Dede with that being said. She is the unsung hero in this story. Three of the sister died for what they believed, but Dede lived for what they loved and lived for, the children. Dede deserves the same attention and appreciation as the other sisters.