In the Time of the Butterflies

Receiving the envelope provokes a memory within Patria of what it was like to wash Pedrito's feet. This memory is described through imagery: Patria "felt the gravity" of his feet and she "smelled the sweat and soil and soap" on his skin. Although Pedrito is not physically present, the imagery paints a vivid picture of Pedrito. Patria's affection for Pedrito is thus highlighted by the imagery, as she remembers their first encounter so viscerally that it is as if he is in the room with her and Sor Asunción. There is also an alliteration of /s/ sounds in the phrase "smelled the sweat and soil and soap on the tender skin." This particular alliteration is a form of sibilance, and it emphasizes the instance of imagery by drawing attention to the sense of smell, along with what specific smells Patria is recalling.

Patria is currently deciding whether or not to become a nun, and she ultimately decides not to on account of her love for Pedrito. In fact, she decides as much later on the same page as the above quotation. As Patria herself explains, "my spirit was descending into flesh." The imagery is then particularly significant because it highlights material, physical sensations—what Pedrito feels and smells like—as Patria descends into flesh, forgoing a life of solely religious devotion.

Although the seminary does not include an obligation to join the priesthood after or during schooling, Nelson is nevertheless reluctant to attend the religious institution. However, he decides to attend instead of work the fields. The alliteration of /d/ sounds in "delectable delights" and "dawn to dusk" highlights both what one gives up when joining the priesthood, "delectable delights," and what the alternative to attending the seminary is, namely working "dawn to dusk." The use of "gardens" to describe the material pleasures forgone by priests, an allusion to the garden of Eden, furthers the juxtaposition between forgoing pleasures and working the fields. The alliteration, a sonic similarity, makes the choice between two very different lifestyles seem somewhat similar, illustrating just how difficult the choice is.

Although Patria is describing Nelson's decision-making process, it is a close parallel to the choice she made in Chapter 4. In her struggle between sensual pleasures and spiritual dedication, she ended up "descending into flesh," and it appears that her son has a similar inclination towards material, nonspiritual pleasures.