Imagery of black moths
The imagery of the black moths appears throughout the novel, and it indicates threat, danger and death. A black moth appears at the very beginning, entering the house and disturbing the family, giving them a sense of unease of things to come. It is also mentioned after El Jefe gets assassinated and Anita’s father taken by the SIM, as a foreshadowing of the dark future ahead of them.
Imagery of butterflies
Butterflies are present throughout the novel, both as a symbol of courage and hope. Anita overhears her father talking about two butterflies, and it turns out that it is the two women who started the resistance against the dictatorship. Anita keeps getting reminded by Chucha and her father to remember her wings, and at the end it becomes clear to Anita that butterflies represent the indestructible freedom.
Snow
The imagery of snow appears at the beginning with the snow globe during the scene where Anita’s cousins are leaving for New York. It also appears at the very end, with Anita experiencing snow for the first time there, after escaping from home. Snow represents hope and safety, a place away from fear and danger.
Anita’s diary
Anita’s diary is significant because it represents the importance of re-telling of what happened, the importance of being a witness that tells the truth to those who might read it. It represents the importance of storytelling and opposes being silenced. Anita is silenced because of the threat imposed by the dictator and his police, so the diary becomes her voice.
