

This signals the end of childhood innocence for Anita. The story opens as Anita’s cousins (the Garcia girls of Alvarez’s 1991 adult debut, How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents), hurriedly pack to leave the country. GradeSaver, 17 September 2021 Web.A 12-year-old girl bears witness to the Dominican Revolution of 1961 in a powerful first-person narrative. Next Section Character List Previous Section About Before We Were Free How To Cite in MLA Format Anonymous "Before We Were Free Summary". Will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback. You can help us out by revising, improving and updatingĪfter you claim a section you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. Though her father is eventually killed, the rebellion is successful with the Dominican Republic hosting democratic elections for the first time in 30 years. Anita’s father ends up embroiled in a plot that kills El Jefe and is taken as a prisoner.įearing for her life, Anita and the remaining members of her family migrate to the US. The situation at home becomes worse, with secret meetings of rebellion being held in her house and her school closing down. Lucinda is forced by the family to leave the US, leaving Anita all alone.


After spending more time with him, she believes herself to be in love with Sam and confesses her feelings in her diary.Īnita’s sister, Lucinda, becomes the next target of El Jefe, as he often had a penchant for raping younger girls. Washburn, Sam, when he moves in next door. Meanwhile, Anita meets the son of the American consul, Mr. The SIM (the Dominican secret police) come by to their home to investigate for any suspicious activity, leaving the family feeling scared for their life. Her extended family are running to the US to avoid being persecuted by the regime, but Anita’s family are continuing to rebel against the oppression.

The book revolves around the life of Anita de la Torre, an 11-year-old girl living in the Dominican Republic under the tyranny of the dictator, El Jefe. Written by people who wish to remain anonymous We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own. These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community.
