Black moth
The symbol of black moth appears at the very beginning of the novel. A black moth suddenly appears in Anita’s home, scaring the entire family. Anita remembers how Chucha told them that a black moth is an omen of death. Her mother and the rest try to brush the appearance of the black moth off, but the unease is apparent. Black moth, even referred to as black butterfly at that moment, is the opposite of the symbol of butterflies of freedom, and could be said to represent the dictator El Jefe.
Butterflies of freedom
The symbol of freedom in the novel are butterflies. The mission to get rid of the dictator starts with two sisters who use butterflies as their code name. Throughout, Anita overhears her father talking about butterflies, and the truth behind them is revealed to her at the end.
“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!”
Wings
Wings Chucha is a mystical character that seemingly has visions of the future. She tells Anita that she and her family will soon get wings to fly away, and it comes true when they manage to escape to the US in the critical moment. Chucha keeps reminding her to remember her wings.
“I guess I finally understand what she and Papi meant by wanting me to fly. To be free inside, like an uncaged bird.”
The eraser in the shape of the Dominican Republic
The eraser Anita’s cousin won in one of the school contest becomes a symbol as Anita uses it to erase her thoughts from the diary, while her home is being watched by the dictator’s police. It is important to note that the eraser was a prideful possession won while Anita felt prideful of her country and El Jefe. As she slowly uses up the eraser, her pride slowly diminishes with discovering the truth behind the dictatorship.
