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Mami
Papi is Anita’s father. He was educated in the U.S. and runs the family business selling hurricane-safe building materials. A few weeks after Anita begins her story, she discovers that Papi is involved with the underground resistance movement against Trujillo, the dictator of the Dominican Republic. This is shocking for Anita, as she thought that Papi liked Trujillo. But as Mami tells her more about Papi’s history, Papi’s involvement in the resistance movement starts to make more sense. Papi didn’t get involved until many of his brothers had already been arrested or left the country to escape the SIM (the Dominican secret police). After the Mirabal sisters—the Butterflies—were assassinated, Papi realized that the only way to bring education, free elections, and prosperity to the country was to assassinate the dictator. He believes that by freeing the Dominican Republic from Trujillo, he’d make the country a safe place for his family as well as for all other Dominicans. Anita doesn’t see as much of Papi as she does of Mami, since she isn’t allowed to sit in on the men’s meetings. But Papi appears to be a dedicated and pragmatic planner who wants nothing more than to make sure that everyone can be free. Indeed, not long before he assassinates Trujillo, Papi tells Anita that she must go on and fly free. Though this is frightening for Anita at the time, it makes sense to her months later. After Papi is murdered for his involvement in the assassination, Anita decides that Papi didn’t just want her to be free politically—he wanted her to be happy.
Papi Quotes in Before We Were Free
The Before We Were Free quotes below are all either spoken by Papi or refer to Papi. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Chapter Two Quotes
“Are they really policemen?” I keep asking Mami. It doesn’t make any sense. If the SIM are policemen, secret or not, shouldn’t we trust them instead of being afraid of them? But all Mami will say is “Shhh!” Meanwhile, we can’t go to school because something might happen to us. “Like what?” I ask. Like what Chucha said about people disappearing? Is that what Mami worries will happen to us? “Didn’t Papi say we should carry on with normal life?”
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Now I’m really confused. I thought we liked El Jefe. His picture hangs in the front entryway with the saying below it: IN THIS HOUSE, TRUJILLO RULES. “But if he’s so bad, why does Mrs. Brown hang his picture in our classroom next to George Washington?”
“We have to do that. Everyone has to do. He’s a dictator.”
I’m not really sure what a dictator does. But this is probably not a good time to ask.
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Chapter Six Quotes
Not even the thought of falling in love with Sam is a consolation anymore. Overnight, all boys (except for Papi and Tío Toni and Mundín) have become totally gross. Here’s an old lech flirting with my sister. Here are Oscar and Sam drinking liquor and throwing up. If only I could be like Joan of Arc, cut off my hair and dress like a boy, just to be on the safe side. Or even better, if only I could go backward to eleven, instead of forward to thirteen!
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I admit I feel mean participating in this scheme—but I also understand that our lives are in danger. A tip from Lorena could wipe us out. It’s so unfair to have to live in a country where you have to do stuff you feel bad about in order to save your life. It’s like Papi and Tío Toni planning to assassinate Mr. Smith when they know that murder is wrong. But what if your leader is evil and rapes young girls and kills loads of innocent people and makes your country a place where not even butterflies are safe?
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Anita’s Diary Quotes
Actually, Mr. Mancini says that people are secretly calling it an ajusticiámiento, which means bringing to justice, the way criminals have to face the consequences of their evil deeds.
I feel so much better thinking that Papi and Tío Toni were doing justice, not really murdering killing hurting someone. But still...just the thought of my own father—
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Chapter Eleven Quotes
I guess I finally understand what [Chucha] and Papi meant by wanting me to fly. It was like the metaphors Mrs. Brown was always talking about. To be free inside, like an uncaged bird. Then nothing, not even a dictatorship, can take away your liberty.
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But now that Papi is dead, it doesn’t seem so scary to die. Sometimes, I think it’s scarier to be alive, especially when you feel that you’ll never be as happy and carefree as when you were a little kid. But I keep remembering Chucha’s dream. She saw us sprouting wings, flying up and away. It has to mean more than our coming to the United States. After all, as Chucha herself would say, what good is it to escape captivity only to be imprisoned in your own misery?
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What I see as I look down aren’t angels but butterflies, the arm swings connecting to the leg swings like a pair of wings, our heads poking out in between! I’m sure if Chucha were here, she would say they are a sign. Four butterflies from Papi, reminding me to fly.
I close my eyes, but instead of making a wish, I think about Papi and Tío Toni and their friends who died to make us all free. The emptiness inside starts filling with a strong love and a brave pride.
Okay, Papi, I say, I promise I’ll try.
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Papi Character Timeline in Before We Were Free
The timeline below shows where the character Papi appears in Before We Were Free. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter One
...Laura looks worried, but this isn’t unusual—what is unusual is that, these days, even Anita’s Papi looks worried. Mrs. Brown steps outside then returns and asks Anita to help Carla pack...
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...between Carla and Carla’s little sisters, Sandi and Yo, Anita asks if something is wrong. Papi, who’s driving, calls her cotorrita (“little parrot”), a reminder to not talk so much. He...
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...help Chucha move into the family house. Chucha has cared for every family member since Papi was born. First, they move her coffin, which she sleeps in every night. Then, they...
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Over supper, Papi explains that the store isn’t doing well and that the family will be scattered for...
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Chapter Two
The next day, Papi goes to work early and takes Mundín along. Anita mopes at first, but then she...
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...the Garcías, but Lucinda grumbles that the SIM know where the Garcías are—they just want Papi. When Anita asks why, Lucinda looks at her like she’s dumb. But it’s comforting when...
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...and will leave. The SIM, however, stay parked at the top of the driveway. Later, Papi assures everyone that things will be fine. Anita doesn’t believe him, since she notices that...
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The Volkswagens sit at the compound’s entrance for days. One always follows Papi to work and back. Anita constantly asks Mami if the SIM are really policemen. If...
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Anita follows Papi into the living room when the phone rings one night. She hears something about “some...
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...He remarks on the “little ole bugs” while looking at the Volkswagens. Then, he and Papi go to the study to speak in English. After a bit, Papi calls Anita in...
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Chapter Three
With the Washburns next door and the SIM gone, Mami and Papi decide that the children can go back to school. Mami makes them promise to not...
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...times, Anita answers the phone but the caller hangs up. Once, a caller asks for Papi. Anita stays on the phone as Papi takes the call in his study. The men...
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...a market. Seeing the merchants’ children in rags makes Anita feel both ashamed and lucky. Papi grouses that this country needs to educate everyone, and although Mami shushes him, she looks...
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...house. They hang a Santa face by the portrait of El Jefe, and Anita notices Papi throwing the portrait of Trujillo dirty looks. On Christmas eve, Papi and Mami throw an...
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Chapter Four
...for the inauguration of John F. Kennedy. The Farlands won’t be coming back afterwards, so Papi takes Anita to go say goodbye. Anita catches bits of the adults’ conversation—which includes mentions...
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...found out and arrested or killed those who didn’t leave the country. She says that Papi didn’t want to get involved at first, since he didn’t want to put his family...
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Chapter Five
...rash and Mundín’s bitten nails, he laments that kids can’t be kids in this country. Papi nods and says they need democracy, but Mami shoots him a look. They have to...
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...the party. As soon as Lorena is gone, Mami calls that the coast is clear. Papi, Mundín, and some other men head down the path toward Tío Toni’s house. Finally, when...
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...chairs. Mami and Mrs. Mancini look around nervously. They seem to relax when they see Papi, though Mami tips her head slightly to point to SIM agents surrounding the patio. Anita...
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Chapter Six
As Anita walks home after the party, her parents discuss El Jefe’s surprise visit. Papi thanks Anita, his “little messenger.” Anita feels proud, even if the party was disappointing, since...
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...sobs. Mrs. Washburn takes the phone and says there’s no one named Lucinda here. When Papi gets home, Mami fills him in. He goes to talk with Tío Toni and Mr....
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Finally, Anita asks Mundín if Papi is going to kill El Jefe. He swiftly covers her mouth and tells her to...
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...sleep with her that night. After they turn out the light, Anita sees visions of Papi and Tío Toni around El Jefe’s body, covered in blood. She hears sobbing and realizes...
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...them. When Anita begs Lucinda to not tell Mami (she can’t stand the thought of Papi knowing), Lucinda asks what to do with the sheets. Anita knows that Chucha will keep...
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Chapter Seven
...her crucifix necklace into her mouth. She does this now when she needs good luck. Papi drives slowly and Anita worries that she’ll say or do something that will hurt her...
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...forgets her words. Since she forgets simple words, Anita wonders if she’s going crazy. When Papi gets home from work, he sits with Anita, smiles, and says that one day, Anita...
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...night on the patio, right outside Anita’s window. She listens to them speak in code. Papi, Tío Toni, Mr. Washburn, and Wimpy are almost always there. Mr. Mancini doesn’t come anymore...
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...weeks and they sound desperate. Toni insists that the Americans are playing with them, but Papi reminds Toni that Mr. Washburn saved Lucinda. The men agree that Mr. Washburn is “on...
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...horrified and calls out the window that Anita can hear what the men are saying. Papi peers in and says, “No wonder.” After this, the men meet at Tío Toni’s house....
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Chapter Eight
...first time Anita saw the parade she was shocked to see men she recognized from Papi’s evening meetings, but she keeps quiet about this. Oscar’s sisters comment that El Jefe isn’t...
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Papi arrives soon after to pick up Anita and Mundín. Normally, he visits with Mrs. Mancini’s...
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...he’s now old enough to be treated like an adult if the SIM arrest him. Papi doesn’t think they can get Mundín to New York since Lucinda has already overstayed her...
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...cars honking outside. The men rush in with guns and say “Long live the Butterflies!” Papi says they’re free, but Tío Toni says that no one can find Pupo. Anita doesn’t...
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When Mami asks what happens if they can’t find Pupo, Papi looks to El Jefe’s portrait. In the commotion, it’s turned back around. Papi says that...
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Chapter Nine
...the Chevy. Navajita tells the agent to “take them in” and Anita sees agents shove Papi and Tío Toni towards the line of Volkswagens outside. Soon, all the cars are gone....
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Anita’s Diary
...the assassination an ajusticiámiento, which means “bringing to justice.” This makes Anita feel better, since Papi and Tío Toni were carrying out justice, not just murdering someone.
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...June 9, Anita learns that Mr. Washburn is back in Washington. He’s trying to get Papi and Tío Toni on a list of interviewed prisoners, since that makes it harder for...
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...used to have big family gatherings on Sundays. Earlier, Anita vowed to stop asking about Papi and Tío Toni. But then she broke down and asked. Mami told her that they’re...
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...go into hiding because they weren’t as involved. El Jefe’s body, after all, was in Papi’s Chevy. Anita thinks it was dumb to leave the body lying around, but Mami explained...
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...is the best meal of the day. Anita writes in the evenings and thinks of Papi and Tío Toni.
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...The next day, Anita feels sad. It’s been more than a month since she saw Papi. The following day, Mami and Anita have a scare. Oscar’s little sisters come into the...
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...she became obsessed with El Jefe’s daughter, whom he made a queen. For her birthday, Papi made Anita a marshmallow crown that melted into her hair. This makes Anita think of...
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On July 15, Anita shares Mami’s story of how she and Papi got involved in the resistance movement. When Papi got back home after studying in the...
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...to maybe be free soon, but she’s afraid. She doesn’t want to be free without Papi and Tío Toni. The next day, Anita writes that people are hopeful. There will be...
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Chapter Ten
...is sitting in front of the TV at the Hotel Beverly. Her grandparents, Mamita and Papito, are renting an apartment here, and Anita and Mami have been here about six weeks....
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...on the phone with Mr. Washburn. She calls him twice a week for news of Papi and Tío Toni. Once again, he has no news. Once Mami hangs up, she says...
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It’s now the end of September and the family hasn’t heard anything about Papi and Tío Toni. Mami refuses to move to Queens (a neighborhood in New York) with...
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...Joseph by putting a cross and J.M.J. at the top of her page. Anita adds Papi and Tío Toni’s initials. She pretends she’s writing in her diary and writes pages. She...
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...asks how things are in the sultan’s court. But when Anita gives the letter to Papito, he explains that there’s no mail to or from the Dominican Republic. Anita tears the...
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...is here to deport her after the grocery store incident, and everyone inside is crying. Papito takes Anita’s hands and says that Papi and Tío Toni are dead. Mr. Washburn explains...
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Chapter Eleven
...she expects big lacy doilies. Inside, she sits with the other children. Tío Carlos and Papito say a prayer and try not to cry. Fifi shouts “Amen,” making everyone laugh.
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...insists they have to sit and digest for a while. The adults tell stories about Papi while Anita looks out the window. She’s glad she’s experiencing her first snow before she’s...
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...Dominican Republic is going to hold its first free election in 31 years, thanks to Papi and Tío Toni. Oscar also wrote that he ran into Chucha at Wimpy’s. She asked...
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...bright, like she’s waking up from a bad dream. She closes her eyes and sees Papi sitting on the edge of her bed, asking her to promise. Anita shakes her head...
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...about all her friends and family members who died to make her free. She promises Papi she’ll try.
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